Modesty Movement: A Real Fashion Cover-Up|ABC 13

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Modesty Movement: A Real Fashion Cover-Up

posted 10:41 pm Wed November 28, 2007 - Across the ABC 13 Viewing Area

It's a fashion movement that goes against the grain. Instead of baring more, we're talking about covering it up. Groups locally and across the country are hitting the runways, speaking out about what not to wear. But is their message sticking? We take an in-depth look at the Modesty Movement.

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If we told you modesty was coming back into style, would you believe us? For many parents, the latest trends are anything but tame.

Jodie Boyd, Mother - "Jeans that have holes in them."

Joan Cofflin, Mother - "At a young age they like underwear better than what I wear."

They grow up fast, but just because it's in-style, doesn't mean parents want their daughters wearing it.

Megan Cofflin, 11 years old - "She's like, that's too short, you can't wear that."

Caroline Boyd, 18 years old - "I remember when the leggings and shirts came out, my mom was like, you need to wear something over top of the leggings, no you're not leaving the house like that and I was like, everybody else has it on."

It's no secret. From Medieval gowns to turn of the century frocks, experts say we've always made fashion statements as a group.

Ruth Gomes, Professor - "Then comes the roaring 20s, they're exposing their legs, they're even powdering their knees. Bare arms, we've never seen that before."

And what a shock it was. It was the first time women really started showing some skin. But a few decades later, one star took sexy to the next level.

Gomes - "Marilyn Monroe we know that she exposed all of her body. She even has influence today when you think about Britney spears, Madonna, how they emulated her."

But now, more and more young women are trying to learn from each other. Since 1999, the Christian based-group Pure Fashion teaches teenage girls how to be fashion models, but more importantly, role models.

Nancy Biechner, Co-chair, Pure Fashion - "It's easier to make a statement as an entire group than trying to go it alone."

Not just what to wear but how to wear it. What trends to keep around and which ones to avoid. It's a global effort, but there's a local one too.

Pam Tanner, True Identity - "I think there's such a focus on image in our society and that can be very destructive."

Pam Tanner leads a Liberty University group called True Identity. They travel to churches across the east coast, preaching purity, but keeping fashion in mind.

Tanner - "I think a stereotype of modesty is that it's boring, or that you have to look frumpy."

For Pure Fashion, they try not to draw attention to any certain area, meaning no more than four fingers below the collarbone for tops, no sheer material and no thin straps.

Biechner - "It does make you stop and think, especially for certain functions, like wait a minute, you know."

After hearing their guidelines, I decided to put my closet to the test. Most of my clothes were okay, but I did find this, way too low cut, this, a little too sheer, and these, well, you can see, just too short.

Gomes - "The very fact that the modesty movement is here, is a good sign."

It's here and it's growing. Shade Clothing, a modesty-based clothing line, sold $9-million in merchandise last year, double from 2005. New to the scene, Eliza magazine, a fashion publication created for women with "higher standards."

Gomes - "It's not just a religious group, but there's a bigger group out there that wants to have modesty."

Bottom line, the trends will come and go.

Tanner - "Don't let your life be driving by what is fashionable. Build your life around something that is more concrete, and more solid."

Because respecting yourself is timeless. Macy's Department store now carries fashion lines from Shade Clothing and since its creation this past June, Eliza magazine has surpassed 10,000 subscribers.

For more information about any modesty groups mentioned here, click the links below.
Click here for Pure Fashion.
Click here for Shade Clothing.
Click here for Eliza Magazine.
Click here to email Pam Turner from True Identity.

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