The Tough Stuff: Why Encouraging Modesty is NOT Body Shaming

Hello there, friends! And Happy New Year 🙂

I hope your holiday season was happy and relaxing. I’m finally getting back in the swing of things and what better way to do that than to start blogging again after a month or so hiatus?

Today I want to talk about why encouraging modesty and #ConfidenceInCoverage is NOT body shaming.

What is body shaming any ways?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary it is: The action or practice of humiliating someone by making mocking or critical comments about their body shape or size.

We’ve all done it. Even if we don’t realize it. We’ve done it to people we don’t know, friends, family, and even to ourselves. Everyone has a different image of what they look like in the mirror compared to how others view them. This is not a new concept, and it has caused a movement against shaming people because they are “too skinny” or because they are “overweight”.

This movement has largely affected the fashion industry. The rule of thumb for fashion has basically become “wear whatever you want, no matter what size you are” and “if you’ve got it, flaunt it”. Now, before you start throwing things at me, hear me out. I don’t think body shaming is OK and I don’t think there is ANYTHING wrong with speaking out against body shaming; but that’s not really  what I want to talk about in this post. I think we are missing an important piece in the equation of how we dress our bodies, an important piece that could virtually eliminate body shaming:

Does what I’m wearing please God?

I’m not suggesting that a “plus size” Victoria’s Secret model cover up because she is “plus size”- I’m suggesting that EVERY SINGLE ONE of them cover up.

I’m not suggesting that someone “overweight” not wear short-shorts or a mini skirt- but NO ONE wear them.

See what I am getting at?

Choosing modesty is not an act of body shaming. I don’t dress modestly because I’m trying to cover up not having my idea of the “perfect body”. If anything, modesty is the exact opposite, it levels the playing field. It takes away insecurity and the need to compare yourself to someone who looks different than you and vice versa. I think if everyone dressed modestly, there would be A LOT LESS body shaming. Regardless of your dress size, dressing modestly is important. It not only shows respect for yourself, but to others, and most importantly to God.

Whether or not people actually say something to you, they notice when a woman CHOOSES never to show her cleavage, or reveal her thigh in a skirt or dress. They notice that your jeans are a bit baggy and your top isn’t so skin tight that it shows every imperfection. Modesty makes an impression on our peers, young and old. And at times, it makes an impression on the fashion world as well (YAY for small victories!)

If you’ve been reading my blog for any matter of time, you know that I’m not saying you shouldn’t dress to flatter your body type. But what I am saying is that no matter what you do or do not “look good” in, you should first be asking yourself do I “look good” to God? Would wearing this be pleasing to Him? No one wants to be a victim of body shaming. But we shouldn’t want to be the cause of it either, and we certainly shouldn’t want to bring shame to God.

Remember, “Modesty isn’t about hiding your body, it’s about revealing your dignity.” (-unknown)

Thanks for listening, ladies. What are your thoughts? I’d love to continue the conversation in the comments below.

keep on keeping on…

 

5 Replies to “The Tough Stuff: Why Encouraging Modesty is NOT Body Shaming”

  1. All of the praise to your wording, your phrasing, your ideas, and explanation. You put so eloquently what the world needs to hear, with great courage of conviction. Applause! đź‘Ź

    1. Thank you so much, Bethany. I’m glad it read that way to you. To be honest I was very scared to post this article because I was afraid someone would take it the wrong way. Thank you for reading!
      -Taylor

  2. This line was the one I was thinking about that was very brave/scary to put into words:

    ***I’m not suggesting that a “plus size” Victoria’s Secret model cover up because she is “plus size”- I’m suggesting that EVERY SINGLE ONE of them cover up.***

    It’s a drastic idea, and I know some people are going to say “it’s up to me” but you are SO RIGHT that it hurts others when you treat your body with such indignity and so little respect. It challenges others purity, their jealous nature, their self-esteem, their propensity to judge. We are sinful by nature, so why make it easier for someone to fall into sin?

  3. I totally agree! I’m glad you posted this. I was just thinking myself about what a privilege it is to dress modestly. Literally, just this morning I was thinking to myself, “I dress modestly, but I’m *not* ashamed of my body. In fact, I respect myself more because of it.” I love your thoughts!

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