When I talk candidly to teenaged girls or young single women about dating, I usually work in the story about how and why I wore a turtleneck on my first date with my husband. (
Most of my sister's friends who might be reading this right now are nodding their heads and maybe rolling their eyes because they've heard this one.)
Why did I do it? Simple. I didn't want this man I was meeting to get any impression whatsoever that I was interested in our encounter resulting in anything unladylike.
Read: I didn't want him to think I was a floozy. Call me crazy, but I think my decision to dress modestly on the front end helped our relationship develop in a healthy and respectful way.
(Note, it was a cute turtleneck, not a frumpy one)
I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with showing a little collar bone or a little shoulder, but there was something about that day, this "blind" date, and I made a
choice about how I wanted to present myself to this potential suitor. I'm not saying my turtleneck gets all the credit, but it is no coincidence that on our first date we
talked for seven hours. Conversation, eye contact, interest. First impressions set the tone.
I'm no saint in the attire department. I've got a few things in my wardrobe that some might consider immodest. Modesty is a relative thing, different people have difference ideas about it, and I'm not trying to define it here. Just, on this Halloween Day, I want to remind all the women out there that even if we're not going on a date, every day that we leave the house we make a choice about how we want to present ourselves to the world with what we wear. Halloween too.
Rethinking the revealing costume you already put together for tonight?
Put a turtleneck under it :)
I like this post "Modest is Hottest" from Rachel over at Life Teen International and this post of five DIY Modest Costume Ideas from Nicole over at Project Inspired.
***
What's Penny going to wear tonight? A glorious hand-me-down tutu full of all the Halloween colors, and a big orange bow on her head. As for what to call this costume, I'm going with "Halloween Girl." With everything going on these last few weeks in our house, we excused ourselves from coming up with an elaborate costume for her. We figure next year when she's two she will probably have an opinion on the matter, so we would sit this last one out. Tonight we will be walking around in our neighborhood and Penny will Trick'r'Treat for the first time. Hoo-to-the-Ray.
Be safe! and Keep it Classy! Happy Halloween!
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