Our Magnum Opus

Summer Dresses and Skirts

Because we adore Suzanne, and because we are happy to be in skirts and dresses, we could not be left out of the Carnival of Everyday Summer Skirts and Dresses.  Monica lit a fire under us so we decided to do pictures of cute summer dresses, in cute summer barn boots with our cute summer chickens.  (It was actually Alex's chicken chore day but he was willing to sacrifice for the sake of the photo shoot.)  The girls are in play dresses and I am wearing my work skirt.

Skirts and Dresses

Make sure to visit Suzanne to read her lovely Carnival of Everyday Skirts and Dresses  , she has many great photos and links.

Skirts Day 5

This is what we REALLY look like in skirts at our house.   

Skirts Day 4

Buckling children in car seats gracefully and modestly is no easy task.  Long skirts help a little...  Rocking babies looks good in anything!

                                                                                                                                  

Skirts Day 3

We didn't get much school done today.  The children decided we need to get on the ball and prepare for Advent.  In the process, they found an old electric train and set it up.  And we found the  Advent wreath.  We even purchased candles already !  (As opposed to the Saturday night before .)

Skirts Day 2

Here we are, turning the compost, admiring the rich black dirt underneath.  The weather is gorgeous!

A Week in Skirts

When I started wearing skirts, it was helpful to me to SEE how it worked out for other moms living a life similar to mine.  I thought I would try to have the kids take some pictures this week as I go about my work.

The disclaimer is that my wonderful, older house is a work in progress and, like everyone else, we do have a busy, sometimes chaotic household. There just MIGHT be messes and piles in the pictures.  Also I have had seven children.  I could look a little frumpy.  I am not posting pictures to show how elegant skirts can look, someone else will have to do that.  I am just showing how it works out for me. (I know ironing in a skirt is no big deal, but it's part of my Monday routine and people laugh because I really enjoy ironing. So I threw in an ironing picture.)

Skirting the Issue

Over at 4 Real and on Magnum Opus there are frequent and fabulous discussions on modest and feminine dress. These discussions always seem to result in a re-evaluation and re-commitment for myself about skirts and dresses. I have been wearing skirts and dresses most of the time for three years.  It is second nature to me now.

From a purely practical standpoint, skirts just fit me better.  I'm tall and my hips are a little uneven, so nice fitting pants are hard to find.  I am more comfortable in skirts.  My husband likes me in them.  I have noticed that my children seem more respectful of me since I have been wearing them.  People seem a little more courteous in public as well.

For me, this is a conviction.  I really felt that God was asking this of me.  It's that simple and I could do no less than obey.

Wearing dresses or skirts has not always been easy.  I didn't have much money to change over my whole wardrobe so I made do with what I could find in thrift stores.   (Actually there is good stuff to had second hand if you look for it.)  Slowly, I have been able to find feminine, modest items that make it all work for me.

Full, long skirts work best as I am often down on the floor with little ones or cleaning.  Something sturdy, like denim, works well for outside work or hiking.  We camped this past sumer and I managed with skirts the whole time.  It wasn't really any more difficult than wearing them at home.

It's more complicated in winter.  You need tights, leggings and long underwear to  keep warm.  You need decent boots that look appropriate for everyday wear and look right with skirts.  (I'm still working on those boots.)

The other part that can be difficult is that you really do stand out sometimes.   I do not like to draw attention to myself.  I try to make sure I look appropriate to the occasion.  But so many people seem to have the mentality that skirts and dresses are only for special occasions, that I'm sure my attire gets noticed occasionally.  Or maybe it's those seven kids trailing behind me.

I know that skirts and dresses are not the only way to be feminine and modest, but it has been a blessing in my life. 

Helen has an excellent collection of posts on modest and feminine dress.  She says it all with such eloquence and graciousness.