I received this email from J. Crew today:
Hi there, Menswear-inspired dressing is all about the subtle nuances in tailoring, textures and fabric combinations. Here’s how to do it without looking, well, manly.
It then goes in how to wear manly clothes... I’ve always loved J.Crew for it’s ultra feminine clothing. Now you have them turning their clothes slightly manly. What do you think this leads to? A desire for more feminine dress?
I was reading a bit today about what are the upcoming trends for the next decade. Number one on the list is more unisex clothing. That means manly slacks vs. feminine pants, boyfriend jeans vs. trouser jeans, manly suits vs. feminine blazers, manly looking dress shoes vs. feminine heels and pixie haircuts vs. long locks. The article I read said it was a great trend to keep up because it kept all colleagues looking in unison and was much more comfortable for the ladies. More and more people are accepting the manly trends in clothing. If you wear baggy pants and a t-shirt, you’re wearing the cool clothes. It’s commonly accepted to go out wearing your boyfriend’s clothes. How is that feminine and pretty?
Feminine clothing is something I love. Not the neon skinny jeans with a sleeveless, low cut top kind femininity. I mean true feminine dress; the kind that shows feminine dignity and honor. You know, silky ribbons in long hair, graceful skirts with ballet flats, frilly blouses with trouser jeans, and dainty necklaces and rings.
I know there are many Christians that don’t like Kate Middleton. Yes, she didn’t live the most orderly life as a young person, it’s true she didn’t maintain a pure, holy relationship while dating the Prince, and she did live with him for many years before marriage. I agree that she didn’t prove to be the best role model, but I do have to say: she has brought back feminine dress in our culture! With so many young girls in the UK as well as in the US looking up to her, I can’t help but be amazed at the way she’s brought feminine dress and beauty back into this culture! So many girls want to be like her and she’s definitely portraying a modestly feminine, fresh look.
She has made long curly hair, dresses, and heels all look favorable and fashionable. She has made low key, natural makeup popular and accepted! She has allowed feminine etiquette and mannerisms to grace her. She speaks softly, walks confidently and dresses fashionably. She has proven that dresses aren’t outdated or unfashionable. I love the way she’s revived femininity.
I know some of those light manly looks are sometimes a little cute, but we cannot let them fall into our everyday wardrobe. As we get accustomed to darker clothes and baggier jeans, we open ourselves up to liking more of this trend. It leads to “oh, this gentlemanly button down looks great! Let me try something else...” and goes on and on!
We need to stay as far away from it as possible. I’m not saying “wear extra tight jeans vs. boyfriend jeans”, I’m saying “wear jeans that show you’re a woman while keeping your feminine mystique”. Our culture is going to head towards the manly trend no matter what. It’s popular and accepted. Wouldn’t you like to be the feminine girl that dresses differently?
Fall is almost here and it’s tempting to start wearing oversized sweatshirts, Uggs and baggy pants. Don’t succumb to the trend. Dare to be feminine. A light dress can easily be summer-turned-fall with some leggings and a cardigan. Wear more skirts and tailored pants/jeans. Wear ballet flats instead of Uggs. Learn to layer with class if you need an extra bit of warmth, but don’t give into the baggy trend because it’s comfortable as well as warm. It’s okay if you’re the only one who shows up to school in a skirt on chillier days! When it’s cold, most girls forgo doing their hair and makeup. Buns are suddenly in and faces go au naturel more often. Although buns often look cute and it’s good to feel confident in your own skin, don’t let it become an every day thing. Invest a little time in doing your hair and wear at least a bit of powder and lip gloss. I’m not saying we ought to spend an obsessive amount of time on our hair and makeup, but we really should look as feminine as we can at all times. Let people see you’re proud to be a lady.
1 Corinthians 3:16 says:
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Above all, remember you’re representing Christ. You are His. Don’t let your looks distract people from taking you seriously or from believing you are a princess of the King. Even though it doesn’t always seem so, people love a graceful, feminine girl. Show everyone Who you represent by what you wear and how you conduct yourself.
