Sigh. I fear that modern clothing has forever been spoiled for me. My wardrobe seems dull and unattractive, and what is in the stores appears even worse, to my spoiled eyes. I recently watched the "Anne of Green Gables" movies, and clothing will never appear the same again.
Do you realize that what we pass as "clothes" today, would look like indecent rags back then? Oh, I love my jeans, I admit, and I would doubtless roast to death in what they used to wear all summer...but everything was so elegant and beautiful, and just plain smart! Well, not everything - but the possibilities were there. Nowadays, if you try to look like a lady, you tend to be horribly out of place! And trying to find modest clothes that don't make you look 60? Next to impossible!
I suppose it's been the same in every age - that struggle between modesty and fashion. It seems especially difficult today, when it isn't a bit of ankle that is showing - it is something else altogether. I wonder if we are wrong now to show our ankles- I know it would have been wrong then, because it wasn't done. Some say we become accustomed to styles, that what was immodest at one point, isn't at another. Actually, this argument makes sense, because that is how it started with Adam and Eve. It was their thoughts that made their lack of clothing immodest, and so it is today. Unfortunately, modesty and purity are not valued today as they once were. How far must we go to prevent impure thoughts in ourselves and others? Do we need to go back to floor length skirts, long sleeves, and high collars? Maybe eventually. For the record, the best sunblock is clothing. My policy for modest clothing is fairly simple - short sleeves, necklines that don't go lower than a couple of inches below the collar bone, skirt or pants at least to the knee, and nothing too tight. Some, I know, will disagree with me, but these are my policies.
I admit, my size probably has something to do with it my clothes shopping problems. As Dianna Barry would say, I shall probably always be something of a dumpling - a fact that only really bothers me when I'm trying to find something decent to buy. It also doesn't help that I HATE shopping when I actually have to find something. If I'm just browsing for the fun of it, I'll find lots of things I love, and generally at magnificent prices. But the moment I actually have a deadline and a list -- POOF! The clothes and low prices disappear into the wind.
I suppose if I convinced myself that I don't NEED anything new, that it would just be nice, I might find something - but I still have to fight with today's fashions.
Maybe it's because I don't have my own style, or rather that I'm not sure of it right now. It's always that struggle between the cowgirl and the lady. Bluejeans and pearls, that's me. Wishing for a touch of sophistication...but maybe not quite blending into it.
