The Modesty Instinct

Or, “Why I Think Christa Taylor is not (Totally) Modest.”

On a recent post, I asked whether you thought the online retailer, Christa Taylor, was modest or not and why. My opinion was not as clear as I think it should have been. I believe Kelli wondered why I thought CT was not completely modest.

It has something to do with conscience or even an instinct, which is a reaction based almost on genetic or conditioned response. Over the years, very gradually, I’ve become sensitized to modesty as a virtue in my practice and the way I view the world. Let’s keep in mind that modesty is not only putting on clothing but an inward attitude, cultivated through the Holy Spirit.

Ten years ago, I was wearing very short shorts in the Arizona heat. Nothing too out of place in that climate or culture. Still, I would not wear sleeveless shirts or tank tops. My heart just wouldn’t let me go there. Looking back, I can see how I slowly began to see how my behavior and dress affected others (good or bad) and modified accordingly.

Modesty and “shame-facedness” are used in the same KJV sentence (1 Timothy 2) because they go together. If we lose the ability to be shocked at sin (shame-facedness) then we can flaunt our bodies without thinking of it.

Some of you, dear ladies, are trying to figure out where the modest line is where God has you. I ask you to study Romans 14 where Paul asks brethren to be considerate of each other when it comes to eating meat offered to idols. The same argument could hold when it comes to choosing clothing. There may not be anything necessarily wrong with a particular dress in your eyes but if you are allowed the glimpse of it through another person’s eyes, you could see what very different message it conveys (probably not the one you intended.)

And now I come to the issue of Christa Taylor. She does offer some nice skirts and a couple of blouses that I perhaps would wear. The problem I have with her entire line is that there is a mixed message. One skirt may come below the knees and is not see-through but the next one may be white and short. One dress may go from neck to knees but the next is v-necked and slitted. There doesn’t seem to be a clear standard or trend, as you can see at Hannah Lise, for example.

The other underlying issue I have with Christa Taylor is that the company still propounds the same message as all other clothing companies: “Look at me, I’m pretty because of my clothing!” This is not the modesty instinct. The message of Christ is that you have beauty because of your Creator’s work in your life. He designed you, He gave you the opportunity to shine for Him. Why would you want to rob Him of His glory? This is why I strive for modesty, dear readers. I want my outward appearance to reflect the inward work of God.