The Value of Modest Appearance

23 Feb

In defiance of the exploitation of the female body, more women are turning to modest dress. Worshiping skin exposure has led many to feel violated against. So, to redirect focus to the inner beauty of an individual, women are using conservative dress to allow the beauty of their mind and soul to shine forth. At the same time, removing attention from physical beauty protects what should be private, and most importantly, treasured. (Photo Credit)

The prospect of modest dress has been endorsed by feminists too. True feminists are those chaste young women who are defending their individuality and defying group-think and social convention. The end of the last century has shown a change of face in fashion. Material seems to be scarce, and styles extremely suggestive. What message are victims of such dress codes trying to give?

“All the time the aristocratic Suffragette is vehemently asserting that she will no longer be a toy, a doll, a dancing-girl, a merely ornamental thing, a pleasure, she is dressing more and more as if that were exactly what she was.”

-G.K. Chesterton, “Fashionable Suffragettes and the Truly Feminine,” The Illustrated London News, 1912

It is no wonder more woman are being subject to various forms of harassment. Therefore, many opt for covering up.

Guidelines for modest dress existed well before the advent of feminism, for the same reasons and more. Judaism appreciates the beauty of a woman, and dictates laws of modesty to protect and nurture her being. A Jewish woman is considered a Bat Melech, a daughter of the king, G-d, and considered precious to Him. The same way we protect our precious jewelry (in jewelry boxes), G-d has given us guidelines to protect ourselves. Dressing in accordance underlines our self respect and dignity, and incidentally, modestly plays a role in women being taken seriously as well.

Dressing modestly does not mean letting go. Rather, it is important to maintain a level of self-respect and choose clothing that is both aesthetically pleasing yet tastefully modest.

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