Shoes and Pantaloons- Lessons on Modesty

Today in America we have lost the concept of modesty. Nothing is kept hidden anymore. It doesn’t take much to be bombarded by bare shoulders, bare thighs and often nearly-bare chests and bottoms. (And that is just at the local junior high school.) Someone once said “I feel that if you’ve got it, you should flaunt it.” in reference to how her young daughter dressed. She has no problem in allowing her daughter to wear mini-skirts and tight fitting clothing. But why should she? She herself wears jeans that are so tight that nothing is left to the imagination.

And behold, the woman meets him, dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart. Proverbs 7:10 ESV

I have to wonder when Solomon wrote this proverb what the visual was of a woman dressed as a prostitute and how that might compare to the average American woman today.

My question is why? Why and when did this change take place? Why are we so desensitized to this? I reflect back on my own life and while I was brought up in a rather conservative Christian home I still chose to wear clothing that was not entirely modest. I readily admit that I wore clothing that I thought would make a statement or attract attention. How I wish I could go back and change those days. But we are all under the refining hand of God and our eyes are blind to His will at times in our lives.

Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. I Timothy 2:9-10 ESV

As I have matured in my walk I have felt convicted over the years to wear clothing that is functional, feminine and modest. Some may have differing standards as to what types of clothing are “allowed” or “forbidden” which is perfectly fine. While I choose to rarely wear pants because I find skirts to be more feminine and modest, I completely understand that there are other women that may choose to wear pants. Looser fitting pants can be modest in my opinion but tight jeans just don’t fit in line with “respectable apparel”.

On the rare occasion that we venture into a mall with our children we are usually heard saying “shoes” several times. It’s our shortened way of saying “look down at your shoes- there’s something immodest that you should keep your eyes away from”. It works perfectly with everyone obediently looking down (even Daddy does this) until we pass by the area. I seriously doubt that my young boys would actually get a thrill out of viewing a scantily dressed woman nor do I believe that my little girl would care to imitate it in her own dress but we are going to do all that we can to protect their innocence.

Our little girl loves wearing dresses as do most little girls. It is only with time and the pressures of society that girls begin to complain and conform to the feminist and liberal agendas seeking to wear masculine and/or immodest apparel. I have heard it over and over again, when people see Madison that once she gets older she won’t have anything to do with dresses. How sad to think that she would willingly choose to cast off her femininity and modesty! Yet I am comforted in seeing a resurgence of young ladies that continue to hold fast to the standards that they were brought up with.

“A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 22:5 ESV

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. I Corinithians 6:19-20 ESV

Does a dress always constitute modesty? Not at all- there are dresses that are tight and short and the way a dress is worn can certainly cause some issues. For example, nearly every little girl I know loves to twirl around with their dresses high at their sides. It’s just part of girlhood. The only problem is that the faster they turn the higher the dress goes. Then there are the gymnast girls that tumble around or climb up playground equipment with no care in the world. Unfortunately, we live in a sick world where some people get their thrills by seeing private areas of even the youngest of girls. What’s a girl to do? It’s so simple but often neglected nowadays. Make up a few pairs of pantaloons. Their full shape lends itself to modesty and the lacey bottoms make a little girl smile.

Here are some directions and photos for the pantaloons that I make. I realize that there are patterns out there but I am a basic sewer and this makes it simpler for me. I can put together a pair of pantaloons in about an hour. The best part is that these are super cheap to make if you use old sheets. The only thing left to buy is a bit of elastic and lace for frills. If you happen to have a friend with a serger (hint-hint to all my friends) then try and have a pantaloon making party- it’ll go even faster and you’ll have a great time doing it.  Happy sewing!

Pantaloon Directions
Step 1: Take a pair of pants that fit your daughter.  Fold in half and use as a template to cut out of the sheet adding at least 2 inches all the way around.  Make two panels.
Step 2:  Fold over the ends so there will be minimal fraying and sew.
Step 3: Measure lace to match up with the end of the pant leg.  Sew onto the bottoms on both panels.
Step 4: Fold over leg panel wrong side out and sew from the end up to the seat and stop there.  Do this on both legs.
Step 5: Turn one panel right side out leaving the remaining one wrong side out.  Insert the right side out one into the wrong side out panel.  Just stuff it in there and then straighten it out so the pieces match up in length.
Step 6: Sew up the seat up to the waist being sure to go through both panels.
Step 7: Pull the inserted panel out and now you have a pair of pants ready for trimming.
Step 8:  Measure your daughter's waist and ankles with elastic and cut allowing about an extra inch.
Step 9: Make a simple casing for the elastic around the waist and ankles.  Insert elastic through using a safety pin for help.
Step 10: Dress up your little girl and let her dance, dance, dance!!!!