Thursday 12 November 2009

A Feminine Appearance

Lately I've been thinking about what it means to be feminine, and today I'll share my thoughts on a feminine appearance. This is what I think and what I do to feel womanly, so if you don't agree, there's no reason to bite my head of. This is just for you to get to know me better.

There's a movement amongst some women out there to dress in a more feminine way. I like it, and want to be part of it, but it will have to be in a way that works for me, where I live. I could dress in skirts and dresses all the time (that would be nice, I had a period when I did that), but sometimes jeans are just more practical. There's also the thing of not appearing too weird - I have enough geek labels stuck on me as it is :) Besides, in the LDS church we believe in moderation in all things. For quite a long time I wondered what I could do to look feminine, despite wearing jeans, and the best example I came up with was Princess Leia in Star Wars .

She lives in a world (or galaxy) where a lot of the time it would be impractical or dangerous for her to wear skirts, but her hair is always put up in very feminine ways. As soon as she's in a relatively safe and combat-free environment, she dons dresses or cute tunics.

That's what I try to do. No matter what I happen to be wearing, I can always have my hair put up nicely, and that is a comfort in this women-should-be-more-like-men-and-men-should-be-more-like-women era I'm living in. (On a side note, I believe that is one of the reasons why I, and many other people like living history and reenacting - it gives men permission to be men, and women permission to be women.) Beautiful hairstyles are also something I can have at work, where I have to wear the pyjama-looking, less than pretty scrubs. Besides, wearing jeans doesn't mean you have to wear them with a t-shirt - I never do. I wear soft, feminine shirts or cardigans, often with some nice, but inexpensive, jewellery. That way I feel somewhat well dressed and lady-like even in jeans.

Another important thing about being womanly is, in my opinion, to be modest. I'm proud of being a woman, and I would never flaunt what I've been given to all the world. According to the Bible, the body is a temple, and as such, should be treated with respect. For me, that means I will keep it healthy, clean and tidy. I will not have anything tattooed on it, and I will not be used as a pincushion for multiple piercing jewellery. I won't wear sleeveless or low cut shirts or dresses, and my skirts always cover my knees.


That being said, this is the skirt I'm wearing today. It's made out of checked wool, in blues and greys, trimmed with grey wool. I actually began sewing it two years ago, but then I forgot about it. I took it out last week, and finished it today. I like wearing wool in the autumn and winter.

So, that's my serious thoughts for the week :) Never you fear, hopefully it'll be a sewing related post next time.

7 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post. I agree with pretty much everything you've said. Its wonderful to know there is other ladies out there that are dressing modestly.

    I love the skirt you made. Did you draw the pattern?

    Sincerely
    Brooke (off the Sewing Academy)

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  2. Thank you, Brooke (I did recognice your name), that's one reason I wrote about it, to support others out there. It can be a bit lonely sometimes, can't it? We just have to remember that the important thing is not what other people think.

    Yes, I made the pattern myself, if you can call it that. I took the measurments, drew directly on the fabric and cut it out. Mind, I used to work as a seamstress...

    It's so nice that you've red my blog!

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  3. Hello!!!
    Amazing you reconized my name!!! Its such a rare name no one can ever remember it. lol :)

    Yes, it can be so lonely. Being a young girl with no close freinds that dress modestly makes it so hard some times.

    Ah... you did a wonderful job on the skirt. I've been sewing awhile, but I'm still not very good at making patterns. :/

    Best wishes,
    Brooke

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  4. Well, I couldn't make patterns when I was your age either. Still, I wonder if you're not better at sewing than I was at your age (or at least to take instruction - I never did, so quite a few of my projects ended upp looking rather ghastly, and my poor mother gave up on teaching me)... the dresses you made for yourself and your little sister are so very nice.

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  5. What a good and encouraging post!

    I really like your example of Princess Leia. You are right on with her still appearing feminine while yet wearing pants and other things that are less-feminine. Her hair is gorgeous!! She is a beautiful woman and you would never mistake her for a man.

    I agree with modesty as well, although I think it is hard label anything as modest since it differs so much from person to person. I know others who think a skirt is modest, but then realize they are speaking of ANY skirt, even a tight short skirt with a slit in the back. Sigh. But I like your standards of covering the knee and not wearing revealing tops. That is how I feel as well.

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  6. I must say it is really nice to hear some support for the opinion that women should be able to stay feminin and able to be modest at the same time. I will remember what you said about the hair, Princess Leia and her wonderful braids will inspire me.

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  7. Thank you all for your kind comments! This is an area that is important to me. It is possible to be gorgeous and modest at the same time, thouh it might take a bit more effort, since there're hardly any modest clothes to be bought theese days.

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