The older my daughter gets, the more we realize how similar our tastes are. It has been a joy to shop (mostly consignment shop) with her all these years and see how we both find the same things to be either attractive or something to give us a hearty laugh.
It’s also been interesting to observe the clothing trends through the last few years, and we thought it would be fun to do a little series about some of the things we came across in blogs or the internet that we found to be beautiful.
There are so many posts on the internet on the topic of modesty that we will not be discussing modesty right now. We just love being ladylike.
What you will find are dozens of our favorite clothing combos and ladylike looks – a sampling from our own shopping finds and others collected from all over the internet that we thought were seriously beautiful.
From fancy to simple and down-home, we should give real thought to how we dress!
This post is only a run-down of future posts.
UPDATED: Now you can find posts linked below:
1. Tops and Tutorials
Cardigans are classic, and they will always be in style! Pair one with a ruffly blouse (and maybe a belt) for a lovely look. We love this flower (here is the tutorial).
2. Around The House With Class: A Portrait Of Feminine Dress
(Click this link to see the post).
The idea for this post was the classic sturdy woman in rural France who dress so uniquely and beautifully! Wash and wear, practical, and easy.
A woman sets the tone in her home as seen in the fruit of her life. Let us be purposeful to bring beauty and cheerfulness in our words and attitudes. But more than any article of clothing we could purchase, a kind word on our lips and a twinkle in our eyes should not be a beauty secret.
3. Classic Femininity: Put-Together Looks For Running Errands
(Click the link above to see the post).
These are just two of the many looks that appeal to me for its simplicity and classic line. Pretty and timeless!
4. From Wedding To Church To Black Tie Event: A Portrait Of Feminine Dress
(Click the link above to see the post).
These are just two of the many gorgeous, classic, subtly modest inspirations. This wedding dress is the one a friend of ours wore in her Texas wedding~
Next, we have taken a look at is a difficult wardrobe combination for many of us:
5. Skirts and Flattering Shoes: A Portrait Of Feminine Dress
(Click the link above to see the post).
Again, please join us in the weeks ahead for some more ideas. See you then!
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” ~Philippians 4:8
Allison
These are so pretty. My main excuses for not wearing dresses and skirts very often is that I have only been able to wear sneakers for years. I have had bad feet (and hard-to-fit as well) since my mid-20s and have not been able to find feminine shoes that I can wear for more than an hour or less without causing pain in my feet or back. Is it acceptable to go ahead and wear pretty clothes even though I can only wear running shoes?
Jacqueline
Dear Allison,
Thank you for sharing your heart and your honest question. As I pondered how to respond, it occurred to me that maybe you can find a company that has very comfortable shoes as their main goal. Naturalizer come to mind immediately. Their commitment is to making shoes that are as comfortable as they are stylish, and they have been good shoes for me. http://www.naturalizer.com/womens
Do you wear sneakers for whole foot support or because they are flat? Whatever, you most likely shouldn’t wear a heel, anyway ~ I believe it is hard on the foot 🙂
I am praying now that you will have healing if it is the Lord’s will, and that you will find something that makes you feel feminine but also helps you to be comfortable, too.
May the grace and peace of the Lord abound to you, dear Allison,
Jacqueline
Marisa
I just HAD to jump in! My mother and I can only wear Alegria shoes…before she discovered Alegrias, she was also a tennis shoe only person due to an accident several years ago , which crushed her ankles! These shoes are wonderful…and fun! I only wear skirts and I only wear my Alegrias…The best place to find them is at alegriashoeshop (dot) com. Awesome shoes! Hope that helps! 🙂 GOd Bless!
Jacqueline
Marisa,
Thank you for telling me/us about Alegria shoes. I will look into that brand and hope to do a post on shoes with skirts/dresses one of these days 🙂
Very helpful tip!! Thank you so much!!
Angie
I wear my dresses and skirts with comfortable shoes. No dressy things for me–they hurt my feet, and with 3 kids to chase, just isn’t practical. My heels hurt if I wear anything BUT my regular shoes and inserts due to plantar fascia-itis thing. I wear restaurant style black Tred-safe shoes with everything, from my cape dresses to regular skirts, and yes, even to church. They allow for my inserts, they help support my odd way of walking, and easy to clean. And black goes with everything.
Seriously tho, there’s nothing wrong with wearing regular shoes with skirts/dresses.
Terri Bueche Rose
Allison,
I buy the OK brand shoes. They are comfortable and dressy both. That is because they are padded.
Kelly
Thank you so much for this beautiful post today! Looking forward to the next installments 🙂
Michelle Bell
Thank you for sharing. I love the one with the apron over the dress.
Jill's Home Remedies
LOVE your style and emphasis on femininity! Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and resources. I really look forward to these weeks ahead!
Jacqueline
Thanks, Jill! It has been fun finding pretty things, but also difficult. There is a dearth of truly beautiful style without it being overly sensual or costly or prideful. I appreciate the encouragement 🙂
Jennifer Price
I find it hard to find truly feminine, practical, and beautiful clothes all rolled into one!
Great photos.
Love the sturdy woman in her skirt and apron, and black boots 🙂
Charlotte Moore
I love the long skirts and dresses. That is all we wore growing up and I still do.
Judith
I really enjoyed looking at these beautiful feminine pictures. I loved the paisley skirt and the apron.
Stephanie Hardenbrook
This looks like a great series! I can’t wait to see what you share! (I love that black linen dress too!)
Leslie Newhall
I loved this new direction. The selections are very nice, my favorite is the black “jumper”. I think it might even be appropriate for a “larger” figure like mine. I even have a gold bag! The wedding dress is sublime as well! Keep up the good work!
[email protected] A Proverbs 31 Wife
I love how modesty can be so feminine and pretty 🙂
Sara
I love wearing skirts! My husband likes me in skirts too – so Yay! However, I struggle to find pretty skirts on my very constrained budget. I need to find a good pattern or two I think…
Donna
There is a pattern going around the internet right now for a lovely simple A line skirt. It is easy, easy, easy.. I tried to describe it but I don’t do that well.. the pattern is easy to find. Good luck, be well.
beth robertson
I love all these looks! They truly do enhance a woman’s natural beauty instead of detracting as so many styles do today. I am not opposed to fitted clothing on women at all but sometimes folks go overboard…they highlight one facet of their bodies (boobs!) and guys no longer appreciate her beauty but her body parts. Great post…I’m sharing with my daughters!
Sue
I love the paisley skirt , but i have problems finding these tpye of clothes, could you
tell us where you shop or the patterns you use? found you by way of Homestead Revival.
Great post!!!!
Donna
Me too!!! Homestead Survival lead me here as well… I love both.
Terri Bueche Rose
Thanks for a great article.
Adrienne Bowling
I have to be honest…I like these styles (skirts) but I am a short woman with curves and these types of dresses make me look huge! I honestly look like a barrel. Is there any feminine patterns or styles that work for short girls with hips? I have been struggling with this for years. Help!
Elizabeth
Maybe I can give you some tips, Adrienne. 🙂 I am 5′ 8″, so generally I’m considered pretty tall, but I have a sister who is merely 5′ 3″ (or 2″–I’m not quite sure). Anyway, she has the same problems you have, being that she also has hips and is somewhat bigger bosomed than I. One thing you have to remember is to keep away from skirts with wild or very scattered patterns (so no paisley, I’m sorry!). These have a tendency to make your shape go sideways. Also, if you wear stripes, wear them vertically, not horizontally. Vertical strips give the allusion of being thinner than you are. Try to wear skirts in solid colors that come to your knee or your calf. You can try longer skirts but the thing about them is that the longer they are the shorter they make you look, as a rule. You can try stripes, but, as already mentioned, make sure they run vertically, not horizontally or even diagonally (depending…you could try it and see if it works for you!). If you wear skirts that are straighter, more uniform in shape, versus skirts that really flair or puff, you’ll also create the visual effect of slimming.
For more tips on how to find the best style that flatters you, you might try reading “It’s So You! Fitting Fashion Into Your Life” by Mary Sheehan Warren. I’m not a fashion guru by any means, but the book helped me understand what styles flattered me best, as well as what colors I should and shouldn’t wear. Hope this helps!!! 🙂
Jacqueline
Elizabeth,
Thank you for being so willing to teach us! It IS amazing how vertical lines make our eyes see us as narrower, taller, and thinner, and horizontals cut us off at the knees, so to speak and make us look way shorter! I agree that solid colors also make us look narrower! Fun to discover, but still trying things on is the best! Blessings:)
Marita Frazier-Marshall
Thank you so much for the Feminine Dress posts, I’ve read all of them and it gave me so many great ideas. I would love to see more posts. God bless you!
Victoria
Is there a way to follow this blog?
Jacqueline
Yes, there is, Victoria! Look in the sidebar on the right side. Right above the big red Pinterest button (near the top) is a ‘Subscribe’ box that you can click through. Thanks for asking and I am blessed to have you follow 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Patty
I just stumbled onto your site while looking for modest dressing for older women (I’m 74). I’m delighted to have found your wisdom and desire to bring women back to the importance of modesty. I’m anxious to read ALL of your blog. You are blessed! Thank you!
Jacqueline
Thank you, Patty. You are so kind 🙂 I give thanks to the Lord for it all 🙂
Blessings, new friend!
Mary Elizabeth Tait
Loved this post and the kind helpful women who joined the conversation. This is my first visit to your site.
Jacqueline
Mary Elizabeth,
I welcome you! So glad it was helpful, new friend 🙂