When was the last time you tried to find a formal gown at the mall? Do you recall what you found? Did you find anything that was even remotely close to being modest?
As formal events and prom season approaches, a lot of dream of a dress that will make their evening memorable. Some are anxiously counting every dollar saved so they can buy the most beautiful dress on display. Others are furiously searching speciality boutiques for that one of a kind dress just to be sure they don’t show up to the prom wearing the same dress as someone else.
To say that this can be a stressful endeavor is a huge understatement. My friends who have daughters can’t wait until prom season is over. LDS mothers and daughters need to also worry about finding the right modest dress. I used the word need in the previous sentence purposefully. For Latter-day Saints modesty isn’t an option, it is a way of life.
I have boys, one has already graduated high school so I’ve experienced prom madness from that angle. The biggest glitch I’ve had so far occured earlier this year when our oldest son decided he was going to go out with a bang and opted for a red tuxedo for his senior prom. I tried persuasion, threats, bribes, and even appealing to his sense of good taste but he wouldn’t budge. So off to the senior prom he went in his red tux!
The last time I looked for a formal gown was about this time last year. Sadly, I never learned to sew so making my gown is not an option for me. Now, obviously my prom days are long gone and are barely even a memory anymore but I do have to attend formal military socials with my husband.
I’ve long since given up on finding anything suitable for a LDS woman at the mall when it comes to formal wear. Keeping in mind the counsel of President Hinckley, “Modesty in dress and manner will assist in protecting against temptation. It may be difficult to find modest clothing, but it can be found with enough effort…,” I decided to look elsewhere. I turned to my computer and discovered a good number of sites specializing in beautiful modest clothing for just about every formal occasion. So if you’re searching for your teenage daughter who is about to experience her first formal event or for yourself, be sure to check out these sites. Most sites also offer modest bridal gowns in case you are beyond proms and ready for the next big day in your life.
Dreszing http://www.dreszing.com/dress.htm
Beautifully Modest http://www.beautifullymodest.com/
Modest by Design http://www.modestbydesign.com/Home
LDS Bridal & Prom http://www.eternitystore.com/default.aspx
ModestProm.com http://www.modestprom.com/buyagown/
A Formal Choice http://www.aformalchoice.com/index.html
Totally Modest http://www.totallymodest.com/index.html
Lorna’s Bridal and Prom http://www.lornasbridal.com/prom/
Kathleen’s Bridal and Formal Wear http://www.kathleensbridal.com/default.aspx
Eternity gowns http://www.eternitygowns.com/assets/evenings/evenings.htm
Modesty is important to Latter-day Saints because we believe that the human body is God’s sacred creation and we show respect for our bodies through our dress and appearance. Modesty extends far beyond clothing. It also applies to our language and behavior. Modesty applies to men as well as women, to boys as well as girls. I’m concentrating on women and dresses in this post because as a woman it’s always been a challenge for me to find something modest whereas my husband or my boys would usually find a suitable suit or tuxedo in a matter of minutes. As Latter-day Saints we are taught that our bodies are a gift from our Heavenly Father and as such we want to treat it with the utmost respect. Modest clothing is a representation of this respect.
If you’d like more information on the Church’s teachings on modesty please see True to the Faith. This wonderful booklet was designed to be a companion to the Scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets.
