Explore Urban Modesty with Friends

Unique, Artistic, Comfortable, Feminine, Classy, Timeless, Simple and Elegant.

When I asked a variety of my friends, who are scattered throughout the United States, to define their style and why they dress the way that they do, these were just a few of the words that I received.

Modesty is more than just the outward appearance. And, I hope, that through these voices, you will get to see a glimpse into each of their hearts.
As a young girl, I would have loved to have read an article of many different voices coming together to shed light on the topic of modesty and the importance of it in a time and culture where this idea has slowly dissipated away.

Today, you will meet many different women who I admire and have great respect for. I echo each and every one of their words and am thankful for the time that they took to share each of their hearts with me.

This is Urban Modern Modesty.

Meet Lizzie Hill.

She stated that throughout her life, she has experimented with fashion, style and fads(which have come and gone), but her love for "the comfortable, colorful, twirly-dress, Disney-Princess-wannabe, artistic, hippie-born-several decades-out-of-time look" hasn't left her heart. After graduating from college and now entering the work force, she hopes to translate her "free spirit into a professional look that works for both business meetings and creative setting."

 Lizzie states, " However, the most fundamental aspect of my wardrobe that I consider before any fashion factors, due to scriptural principles found throughout the entirety of the Bible, is definitely modesty, as well as femininity. I've found that I can have fun with fashion while staying within certain guidelines that (hopefully) keep me looking modernly creative and classily respectable."

Meet Gabi Chavez.

"For me, being comfortable is the most important thing when picking out an outfit. Also, I like to try and stick with a neutral color pallet because then it's easier to transition into the seasons' latest fashion trends. Being modest in the way I dress shows people that I respect myself and don't settle for the worlds standards of how I'm 'supposed' to look."

Meet Lizzy Chavez.

"Modesty is important to me, so when it comes to skirts and dresses I automatically gravitate toward the A-line cuts and silhouettes. I like to mix classic staples with trendy pieces to keep my look simple yet unpredictable."

Meet Mary Chavez. 

She states, "From a young age I was taught and realized the importance of modesty, and the role it played in my walk with God. I dress modestly to display a separateness from what this world defines as trendy and beautiful. True beauty always comes from within, and is displayed by action, not skin. Once I realized how God sees true beauty, dressing modestly has become an enjoyable part of my lifestyle."

Dressing modestly is a part of her lifestyle. Our modest style echoes the life that we live for the One whom loves us more than we can imagine. It is a way to love Him in return and share to others that this body is not our own.

Meet Elycia Ruggiero.


"I love fashion and dress the way I do to be modest. And to me modesty is more than a fashion statement, it's a decision to dress in a God honoring and self respecting manner. Plus, modesty is always beautiful!"

Meet my Maryland friend, Destinee Coots.

She shared this quote with me from Shara McKee: "Modesty is... A wall to the uninvited, a guardian to what is protected, an invitation to the respectful, a statement of values to the unbeliever, a sense of dignity to the culture that wages war on our worth & a gift of honor to the ONE we represent." 

Meet V Reyes.

"My style is Vintage Bohemian. I don't think high fashion should have to be high priced or revealing to be appealing. I want to be an example of eye catching attire that instead of showcasing my body, (like most modern styles) showcases my uniqueness and femininity."

Meet Rachel Westerhoff.

"I never really considered style a part of my identity until I went to college, but back then it was more about attracting others than expressing myself. I had a major shift in my self-image when I reconnected with God and He helped to show me how I can be feminine and beautiful without needing to dress like a pop star. Now my style is…eclectic, I like comfortable, beautiful, different, versatile clothing that lets me feel like me."

Meet Mariah Chavez.

"God has called me to a much higher standard then to dress seductively. The way that I express myself in fashion, is an expression of my love for God, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Trendy or not, I am the Lord's ambassador and I want to represent Him well."

Meet Alysha Hodges.
"I get asked a lot why I wear skirts and to be honest, I love getting asked that question because it's a perfect opportunity to witness to someone about Jesus. I dress the way that I do, not because I have to, but because I choose to. Some people may think that being modest means that they can't dress cute, but that's far from true. You can still dress cute & be "trendy" while still being modest. For me, modesty is a part of my lifestyle and it always has been. I believe that women are more respected when they dress modestly. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:9 (NLT), "And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves..." My father, Art Hodges III, always says, "Modesty is striving to publicly dress 'attractive' without being 'attracting', appearing 'classy' not 'trashy'." I couldn't agree more.

Meet Veronica Gonzales.

"Choosing to dress modestly and the way I do, in a time where popular culture practically yells at us to do otherwise, had everything to do with my relationship with God, other than religion or what some may call “church rules”. Growing up, I was a fashion crazy girl in a Pentecostal church with certain standards, but none of those standards really meant much or even made sense until I was deeply in love with my Creator and had a direct and true relationship with Him as well as an honest understanding of why I do what I do and why it's far more important to be set apart. 

This personal choice and understanding came in my late teens. I wanted people to know there was something different about me before even speaking or getting to know me. I wanted them to see God through me.  I know I'm not the only fashion crazy Pentecostal girl out there and it’s important to know that as young Godly women we don’t have to sacrifice our personal style to dress modestly in this modern culture. We can be just as in style as the next girl without having to conform to the things of this world."

13 and going on 18.
Meet Caymbria Brown.

"My style, I would say, is timeless, elegant and classic. I dress modestly because I respect my self and those around me. I also dress modestly because of Who I represent and belong to. I believe a woman can be lovely, beautiful, and modest too."

Meet Jennifer Malech.(That's me.)

"When I was young, I was told that I had to dress a certain way. I didn't quite understand the "why" part of what I did. In elementary school, I would tell my friends that it's because of my religion. At this age, I didn't quite understand,YET, the biblical principles to dressing modestly. It had to become a personal decision in my walk with God. After some self-searching, it became personal in my late teens and the answer to the question then changed.

So, then, why? Today, I choose to dress the way that I do to honor God. We are meant to be a light to this world and through the way that I dress, I (hope) to send a strong message to others that says 'I don't need to dress a certain way to be accepted by culture. I am already accepted by the King of Kings. I want to represent His temple well.' While the quiet and inward beauty of the heart is what truly matters, our outward appearance speaks to our values and one's inward beauty. When I dress modestly, I hope that people are able to see a glimpse of the One that I represent."

I am His and He is mine. Modesty is about the One whom we worship. The importance of modesty is seen throughout scripture, in both the way that we dress and act as we live our lives for God. 

Explore Urban Modesty,
Jen (and friends)

Thank you to each and every one of you who made this vision possible!

About the Author

Hello, explorers of urban mosesty. In my first blog post, I wrote about the vision of Explore Urban Modesty. However, I hope to provide a glimpse into my heart and the foundation of where this dream was first born.

I grew up in the Pentecostal church and it wasn't until a few years a go that I made a personal lifestyle decision for myself, rather than a decision that is based off of me trying to fit into a cookie cutter version of Christianity. I'm an individual who loves Jesus, not religion. While my religion practices such holiness standards, I have made the decision to dress the way that I do not because of "the standards" and not because of what the church is practicing, but because of a personal decision that I decided to make. This decision was made through my relationship with Jesus.

Explore urban modesty. There have been many times, especially during the winter, when I get questioned by many different people, and oftentimes, I get such questions from people who don't believe in God. Modesty is just one of many different values that I use to be a light to those that are around me. It is a perfect opportunity to share about the fact that I love Jesus. We are in constant communication with one another and the way that I dress is just one of many ways that I communicate my values and beliefs to those who live in the world with me.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

My body is not my own. It was bought at a price, a price that can never be repaid. To honor both God and man, I dress modestly. The definition of modesty differs amongst individuals and I don't feel as though I have any right to sit here and write about what you should and should not wear. My words through each blog post are just a mirror to the woman of Christ that I hope to exemplify.

When God gives us the gift of the Holy Spirit, He convicts us of certain values and beliefs. Through prayer and my understanding of the Word of God, I have seen the importance and value of dressing modestly. I want to honor God and protect my heart and mind through the clothes that I decide to wear.

Sometimes, the word, modesty, can be distasteful to one's tongue. Through words, I hope to illuminate the idea of modesty and rid of any pre-conceptions that people have in regards to the concept of why in the world one chooses to dress modestly. I am here to write about the beauty of modesty and that one can be both fashionable in outward and inward appearance, no matter what society portrays it to be. 

As in the words of Marylyn Monroe, "Your clothes should be tight enough to show that you are a woman, but loose enough to show that you are a lady." 

I desire to be a lady in a time and culture where this concept of modesty is a foreign value. I want to explore the uniqueness of "me," while all the while showcasing the importance of femininity as a woman of God. I want to give respect to others, while all the while, using my body to bring ultimate glory to my Father in Heaven. 

Explore Urban Modesty, 

Jen

What an Urban Deal.

Walking through the streets of Hollywood or Rodeo Blvd, many people sport looks that would cost me an entire month's paycheck. As a college student, I dart for the sales rack as I blur my peripheral vision in hopes that the lust of my eyes won't be drawn to the racks of clothing that I can't possibly afford.
It might surprise you when I say that if you were to open my closet, half of my wardrobe breathes Urban Outfitters(UO).

As a college student, many people ask the question, "How can you afford Urban Outfitters?" Well, I answered this question at the beginning of the blog. Head straight to the sales rack and don't dare look anywhere else. And, I've learned what days to shop the sales rack. The best time to get in your car and head down to the local UO is when the seasons are changing.

Urban Outfitters hopes to "offer a lifestyle-specific shopping experience for the educated, urban-minded individual in the 18-30 year old range."

When the temperatures drop from the 90's to the 70's, all of L.A. begins to think it's winter time. Many southern Californians suddenly go to purchase their hot Holiday Starbucks drink and pull out the knitted scarves and dusted boots.

There really isn't a season change in L.A. It's just a whole lot of wishful thinking. However, the stores have adopted the same mindset as every other southern Californian. As the rest of the country experiences significant color change, fallen leaves, and blizzards, sweaters invade the windows of the streets of L.A. and all of the summer clothes hit the sales rack.

Every item that is featured in today's blog, from UO, was bought from the sales rack. The fun, tribal maxi skirt was a $15 purchase that I stumbled upon during Black Friday and it is my favorite item in my closet.

Shirt and Sweater: Forever 21, Skirt: Urban Outfitters, Scarf: Homemade

Shirt and $20 Sale Sweater: Urban Outfitters, Jean Skirt: Old Navy, $10 shoes: Target, Hat: Cotton On

For the Fall 2014 season, this magenta sweater is one of my favorite finds thus far. Originally a $70 sweater, I bought it for only $19. Sometimes, darting for the sales rack isn't such a bad idea after all.

So, if you are wondering how you can get that urban fall look, yet can't quite afford the marketed price, try hitting up all the sales racks. Don't question it, just dart for it.

Explore Urban Modesty,
Jen

What is Explore Urban Modesty?

Los Angeles is the second most populated city in all of America. Around every street corner, there is a mix of people from different backgrounds and ethnicities strolling through the same exact streets that Hollywood celebrities and fashionistas walk on every day. As the population continues to grow in this southern California city, the fashion industry just continues to grow.

According to Discover LA, "LA County, with more than 87,000 jobs in the fashion industry, has surpassed New York's fashion district workforce."

When one first moves to L.A., there are a variety of fashion styles to explore. As an individual who loves fashion and just recently moved to L.A, after being born and raised in the Bay Area, I have begun to explore this fashion urban life. While I have had to unfortunately get used to the smog and that ugly Dodger blue, I have come to love L.A.

Explore Urban Modesty is a journey that I am inviting you to take with me. It is a journey to find new urban trends and the most hip and unknown coffee shops in the L.A. county, while also addressing the idea of modesty in today's modern culture. I hope that you will join this journey with me.

As in the words of Rachel Zoe, "Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak."

Explore Urban Modesty,
Jen