Fashion and Fun

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=180 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF" background="2370ffa3.jpg"> <bR> <div> Young Women</div> <div> Pages</div> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="134" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#003399 > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 180 ><NOBR><div> <B><IMG SRC="2397aae0.jpg" border=0 width="122" height="174" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> <U>INDEX</U></div> <div> <A HREF="id108.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal Progress"><U>Personal Progress</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id99.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Faith"><U>Faith</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id100.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Divine Nature"><U>Divine Nature</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id101.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Individual Worth"><U>Individual Worth</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id102.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Knowledge"><U>Knowledge</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id103.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Choice and Accountability"><U>Choice and Accountability</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id104.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Good Works"><U>Good Works</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Integrity"><U>Integrity</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dating Ideas"><U>Dating Ideas</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id111.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Friends"><U>Friends</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Music and Movies"><U>Music & Movies</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id116.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U>Fashion & Fun</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jokes"><U>Clean Jokes</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id119.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="YW Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:sisterkate@hedgemom.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:sisterkate@hedgemom.net"><U><IMG SRC="23a67260.gif" border=0 width="103" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Hedgecock Family Page"><U><IMG SRC="29f65260.gif" border=0 width="101" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.hisimage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hisimage.org"><U><IMG SRC="23c812d0.gif" border=0 width="129" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="23641423.jpg"> <div> <B>Fashion and Fun</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="30899c60.jpg" border=0 width="153" height="198" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> A mannequin wears whatever the world is selling.</div> <div> Your standards are higher than that.</div> <div> (<I>New Era</I>, July 2001)</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="anchor"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><IMG SRC="256752e0.gif" border=0 width="117" height="46" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <A HREF="#how_can_we_dress_modestly_without" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><U>How Can We Dress Modestly Without Feeling Like Fashion Misfits?</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#dress_stress" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><U>Dress Stress</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#high_fashion" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><U>Your Fashion Shows</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#hold_high_the_torch_" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><U>Hold High The Torch</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="#evaluate_your_style" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><U>Evaluate Your Style</U></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Makeup Tips"><U><U>Make-up Tips</U></U></A></div> <div> <U><IMG SRC="3091b1b0.gif" border=0 width="27" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U><A HREF="#anchor_1" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><U>More Links</U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="2ff45180.gif" border=0 width="325" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="how_can_we_dress_modestly_without"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>How can we dress modestly without feeling like Fashion Misfits?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (We've provided a few links. We do not endorse any brand of clothing and we're not selling anything!)</div> <div> With a little patience, we can dress fashionably and still keep our standards high.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>"Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulders and avoid clothing that is low cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner."</div> <div>  For Strength of Youth, 2000<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="3002d2d0.gif" border=0 width="45" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> <div> <B>Tops</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Modest Tees with cap sleeves can top almost any thing. If you find that the top is a little too short, try shopping in the Misses section rather than the Juniors section. The stretch poplin shirts that button down the front are cute. Once again, be careful that the top is long enough to cover 'the gap'! Tops with scoop necks can sometimes be too low for modesty. Once again, try the item on. Misses sizes are cut for longer arms and torsos and larger busts. Be careful, too that a top isn't too tight. When you wear a top that is too tight, there tends to be a gap in between the buttons down the front that pulls apart. Truth is, ladies, a top that is too tight simply makes you look overweight, like something is too small. Looser tops create a cleaner line, which is more flattering for most figures.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>Skirts and Dresses</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Skirts can be found in almost any length, look for the longer (at or below the knee) ones or the peasant look, just be cautious about how sheer the fabric is. Prom dresses are a little more of a challenge when it comes to finding them off the rack. A young woman we know said she started shopping for her dress at the after Christmas sales. It was beautiful and modest and she didn't pay an exorbitant price, either! Look for dresses with cap sleeves if you live where it's very warm in the spring. Otherwise, short sleeves is our favorite way to go (long or very loose sleeves can get in the way when you're eating). Once again, dresses should have a modest neckline (no cleavage showing). This applies to the back as well...no key-holes or deep backs. Make sure the dress is not so tight that you'll be uncomfortable moving around a lot in it. It's no fun to go to a dance and spend the evening readjusting your clothing every time you move! We know the temptation is to buy a sleeveless or strapless dress and wear a jacket or shawl. Be honest with yourself and <I>always</I> wear the jacket with the dress, or don't buy the dress. We find that we spend more time worrying about the shawl staying in place than we'd like. . A note here for<U> brides and bridesmaids</U>: Please be considerate of those in your bridal party who have already been to the temple (or are about to go....that means all of them, we hope!) Example: The Maid of Honor chose the dresses for the bridal party. She chose sleeveless dresses with very sheer scarves to put around the shoulders (yes, they were very pretty), but a member of the party had already been to the temple. She felt a little out of place being the only one with a little white Tee on under her dress (making it a jumper instead) in the group. Don't place anyone in your party in an uncomfortable position; choose something everyone will be comfortable wearing. A flattering style for any figure is the princess seam dress. A link for your inspection:</div> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="3002d2d0.gif" border=0 width="45" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B><A HREF="http://www.modestprom.com" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.modestprom.com" target="_blan"><U><B><U>ModestProm.com</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="3002d2d0.gif" border=0 width="45" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B><A HREF="http://www.modestbydesign.com/Home" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.modestbydesign.com/Home" targ"><U><B><U>Modest By Design</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Bottoms</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Jeans are never too sheer, but they may be cut too low for modest coverage. Since everyone is built differently, you may need to try jeans on before you buy them. A clue that jeans (or pants) are too low cut is how long the zipper is. If a zipper is shorter than 5 inches, it's a good bet the pants are low cut (hipsters). IF you buy white pants, be sure they are lined or made of thick enough material so underclothing doesn't show through. Lucky thing capris and floods are in style! Lots of girls ask how to know if shorts are too short. We've heard lots of different 'rules' regarding fingertips and such, but here's what we feel is best: Young Women should dress so that the clothes they own can be worn <I>after</I> attending the temple (you are, after all, preparing to attend the temple and part of that is living your life so you are temple worthy <I>now</I>). That means shorts and skirts need to reach your knees.</div> <div> Links:<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/index.html?E+scstore" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/Soft"><U> </U></A></FONT><B><U><IMG SRC="3002d2d0.gif" border=0 width="45" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B><A HREF="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/index.html?E+scstore" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/Soft"><U><B><U>kneeshorts.com</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Swimsuits</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Given that we are preparing to enter the temple, how do you suppose that applies to wearing swimsuits? Of course we're going to wear suits for swimming. We need to be careful that we aren't wearing suits for other, non-water activities, say around the house or because we're going swimming later that day. We also need to be sure our suits cover us well. A one-piece suit is the best way to do this, but even one-piece suits can be immodest. When choosing a modest suit, look for fabric that is not going to become see-through when it's wet (lined suits are best). Look for leg openings that are standard or boy-cut. French- or High-cut legs are often too revealing. Check the back of the suit to be sure it covers at least the area below your waist. And once again, make sure the front is not too low cut (in other words, little or no cleavage should be showing). A suit with Straps over the shoulder ensures that you'll feel comfortable at all times without worry that the top will fall down. Girls have asked about 'tank-inis'. It's awful tough to be sure the top and bottom meet at all times. In most Young Women's Organizations, Pool Parties rules say "One Piece Suits Only", so why worry about anything else?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Here are some links for swimsuit shoppers. We provide the links so you can see what we mean by boy-cut and high-cut legs. We do not endorse any brand of swimsuit.</div> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="3002d2d0.gif" border=0 width="45" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B><A HREF="http://www.landsend.com/pg.cgi?page=SWIMLAND0202&sid=0309058780656167830" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.landsend.com/pg.cgi?page=SWIM"><U><B><U>Lands End</U></B></U></A><B> </B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#anchor" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><B><U>TOP</U></B></U></A></div> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="30145180.gif" border=0 width="325" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> <bR> <div> Did you ever find yourself in a situation like this one?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="dress_stress"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A>Dress Stress<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> by Meagan Nelson<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>(<I>New Era,</I> Mar. 2001)<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> “Come on, Meagan, just try it on. You might change your mind,” Sarah said, shoving the dress into my arms.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Hesitantly, I took the dress back to my changing room. It was a beautiful, black satin gown, studded with sequins. I studied it as it hung on the hook in the dressing room. Sarah was right; trying it on wouldn’t hurt. Trying it on didn’t mean I wanted to buy it; it just meant I wanted to see what it looked like on me.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“Well?” Sarah asked impatiently.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“I like it. It’s really nice,” I forced myself to say, as I saw myself in the mirror.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>My mom would hate it! The spaghetti straps would never pass my father’s approval, and the low cut back was definitely not modest.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“So what’s the problem?” Sarah could tell by the tone in my voice that I was not crazy about it.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>I tried to think of a million excuses that I could tell Sarah to let her know how important modesty was to me, without sounding too stuffy.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“Well, it’s … just not me.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“You’re afraid your parents wouldn’t approve,” Sarah quickly responded.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>It wasn’t just that my parents would not approve; it was more that I didn’t feel right wearing it.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“Listen, Meagan,” Sarah said. “Prom is only once a year. God won’t care if you look fashionable just this once.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Straightening the slinky gown, I looked down and saw my CTR ring. <I>Choose the right,</I> I reminded myself, and let the consequences follow. I had to tell Sarah the truth. It wasn’t just what other people thought of me; it was what I thought of myself. Even though Sarah wasn’t a member of the Church, I knew if I was honest with her and explained why modesty was important to me, she would understand. Prom was a big deal, but it was not worth sacrificing my integrity.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>I looked at my CTR ring again and replied, “You’re right, Sarah.” Changing back into my clothes, I continued, “I should do what makes me happy.” Sarah smiled since she assumed I meant to buy the dress. “And that is why I can’t buy it. It wouldn’t make me happy.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>I ended up wearing a maroon dress with a modest neckline and cap sleeves that my mom and Sister Wright sewed on for me. More important than what I wore on the outside was how I felt on the inside. I knew I had made the right decision by dressing modestly. What we wear to dances may not seem like a big deal, but the little decisions we make now are what help us choose the right when we are presented with big choices later.</div> <div> <A HREF="#anchor" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><B><U>TOP</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="24745180.gif" border=0 width="325" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> <bR> <div> Your Fashion Shows</div> <div> <U> <A NAME="high_fashion"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>High Fashion</U></div> <div> It wasn't Milan or Paris, but the show these Louisiana<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>youth put on was more than a modest success.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Lisa M. G. Crockett, “High Fashion,” <I>New Era,</I> June 2001<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> When you think about being fashionably dressed, you probably think about exotic places—places like Milan, London, Paris, and New York. Or, if you’re not into high fashion, you might think about places a little closer to home. Perhaps the local shopping mall or discount store are the first places that pop into your mind when you need new clothes.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>But it’s probably pretty safe to say that no matter who you are, when you think about new clothes, Slidell, Louisiana, doesn’t figure into your thoughts.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Unless, of course, Slidell is where you live.</div> <div> <U>Location, location</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Some of the youth in Slidell were having a difficult time keeping the standard of wearing modest clothing. And while it’s true that modesty can be a challenge no matter where you live, in Slidell it can be particularly difficult.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“It gets very hot here,” says Kelly Skinner. “Even when you know your standards, it can be a temptation to wear immodest clothing.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>And it’s not just the weather that makes it difficult.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“Most of us go to school with just one or two other members,” says Kristen Davis. “Sometimes you feel like you’re the only one who is trying to be modest. It can make you feel kind of weird.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Many of the youth in Slidell were wearing modest clothing despite the challenges. But with fashion trends leaning toward short, sleeveless, or otherwise inappropriate styles, the Slidell Louisiana Stake youth committee decided to take action.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“We tried to find a way to make modest dressing fun,” says Kristen.</div> <div> <U>On the catwalk</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>As the youth committee met together to find a solution to the problem of immodest and inappropriate dress, they talked about why the youth in their stake might choose clothing that isn’t in keeping with Church standards.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“First, we decided that part of the problem is that to find modest clothing, you have to work a little harder,” says Kristen, who serves on the youth committee. “In most stores, there will be lots of immodest choices and only a few modest ones.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>But the youth committee knew there were ways to dress well without compromising standards. After all, most of them were doing it successfully—their closets were full of good examples. And what better way to demonstrate good fashion sense than by putting on a fashion show?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“None of us who are participating as models went out and bought new clothes,” says Shawna Windom. “We all just went to our closets and pulled out things that we wear all the time.”</div> <div> <U>In it together</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>But the fashion show was only part of the answer to this problem.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“It can be really hard to keep your standards when you feel as if you’re the only one doing it,” says Aaron Martin, another youth committee member. “We wanted to somehow create a feeling of unity so that when the people from our stake are at school, they’ll remember that they’re not living the standards all by themselves.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>So Aaron talked with other youth in his ward, and he and his friend Jacob Snell read <I>For the Strength of Youth.</I> Then he and Jacob wrote a contract of sorts; those who signed it would agree to live the dress standards they outlined.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“Some guys think that modesty is only a standard for girls to keep,” says Jacob. “But how you dress sends messages to other people, and that’s true for boys and girls. It shows other people that you respect them, as well as yourself, when you dress appropriately.”</div> <div> <U>Dressed up with someplace to go</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>The night of the fashion show, the runway is ready, the refreshments are waiting, and there is a bit of chaos in the dressing rooms. With youth modeling everything from jeans to prom dresses and tuxedos, it’s hard to navigate the hallways. But even with all the excitement, it’s easy to see that the youth are not only modestly dressed but fashionably dressed as well.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Homemade <I>New Era</I> posters, touting the benefits of dressing modestly and appropriately, line the cultural hall walls. The lights dim slightly, and the music begins to play. Boys model clothing suitable for hiking—shorts that reach the knees and heavy boots—as well as appropriate attire for passing the sacrament. Girls wear everything from jeans and sneakers to dresses for the spring formal.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>When the show ends, everyone has a chance to sign the modesty agreement. As a reminder of the promise they’ve made, everyone receives a CTR ring. Throughout the year, the agreement will be displayed at stake dances and other events to remind the youth of what they’ve agreed to.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“Being in this program has made me think a little differently about making clothing choices,” says Krystina Quist. “I think I’m more careful about what I choose when I’m in the store now.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>Many of the young men also felt that the fashion show was a worthwhile effort.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“I’m glad we did this activity,” says Bradley Hogan. “I feel good when I follow the standards, and I’m glad this might help other people do it too.”</div> <div> <U>Back to the trenches</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>For most of the youth in Slidell, the fashion show and modesty agreement won’t mean a huge change. Perhaps just a few items of clothing will be thrown out or forgotten, and maybe a little more thought will go into clothing selection. But for the most part, this lesson was just an enhancement for an already great group of youth.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>“The kids at school know who we are,” says Shawna. “They watch what we do, and dressing modestly just makes us seem like a class act.”<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>So from now on, when you seek fashion inspiration, you might look a little further than pictures of runway models wearing the creations of fancy designers. Think about a youth group in Louisiana helping each other stay strong. Then think about yourself and the clothes hanging in your closet. They may not be high fashion, but if they are in keeping with high standards, it will be just the kind of style you want.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#anchor" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><B>TOP</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="30345180.gif" border=0 width="325" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <U> <A NAME="evaluate_your_style"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Evaluate Your Style</U></div> <div> You already know how tough it is to find a dress that’s both modest and stylish. A group of young women in Kansas did something about it.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Caroline H. Benzley, “Evaluate Your Style,” <I>New Era,</I> Jan. 2002, 28<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Your feet are throbbing, your back hurts a little, and you have been walking for hours. Although this may describe the way you feel after a long hike at camp, it could also describe the way you feel after shopping for a modest dress. Finding a cute dress that is not too short, too tight, or too revealing that you can wear to a school dance, a music recital, or church is a difficult task. The lack of modest formal and informal dresses is a problem—a problem the young women of the Red Bridge Ward, Olathe Kansas Stake, decided to do something about.</div> <div> <U>How it began</U> It all began in December 2000 when Young Women President Cynthia Cockriel and her daughter Amanda went shopping for modest clothing. The trip was typical; they found a lot of dresses on the racks but few that were modest. Frustrated with the situation, Sister Cockriel expressed her concerns to a manager of a local department store. To her surprise, the manager listened with interest and even offered to meet with Sister Cockriel and her young women if they put together a presentation with sketches, fabric swatches, and other descriptions of what they would like to see in the store. With the leadership of Sister Cockriel and others, the young women of the Red Bridge Ward went to work. The girls were excited to help, and they worked very hard for more than four months. The final product was not just a few sketches and fabric swatches. Instead, the girls and their leaders created a sample company, complete with name, logo, and vendor book. The company’s name is Evaluate, with the emphasis placed on the “valu” part of the word. “When it comes to deciding what to wear, every young woman must evaluate her life, her values, and her style,” says Laurel Alisa Christensen. As Laurel president, Liz Christensen acted as CEO of Evaluate. The rest of the Laurels were given jobs such as fashion coordinator, journalist, photographer, and so on. The Laurels then shared the work of their assignments with the Beehives and Mia Maids.</div> <div> <U>Designing modesty</U> The young women and their leaders realized an increase of modest dresses is not something a store can do without the help of designers. Department stores can only sell what the designers create. The young women in Kansas also know it is not easy to design a modest dress because they each tried to design a dress in keeping with the dress standards of BYU and other Church-affiliated schools. Heidi Jarvis, a Laurel in the Red Bridge Ward, commented, “We now have an appreciation for dress designers. It is a difficult task to make a modest dress exciting and even dazzling.” Although designing such a dress is difficult, the Red Bridge Young Women think that Ashley Braithwaite of Allen, Texas, did just that. When Ashley heard about Evaluate’s project she sent the girls some dress designs that became an important part of their presentation. They depicted the type of dresses the young women are looking for. Ashley was not the only young woman outside of the Red Bridge Ward to add to the Evaluate project. Hundreds of other girls voiced their support through e-mails, letters, and phone calls. Response to Evaluate’s letter-writing campaign came from all over. Adrienne from Brazil responded, “Not every item needs to be skimpy or revealing. It is possible to be modest and stylish at the same time.” Others responded from Australia, Africa, Austria, and throughout the United States.</div> <div> <U>The big day</U> When the day of the presentation finally arrived, the young women were able to confidently present their opinions to one of the largest upscale department stores in their area. The girls gathered their sample dresses, posters, vendor books, dress designs, and letters. With more than four months of hard work behind them, they put on their biggest smiles and told the retail world that modesty should not be overlooked. The presentation went even better than most of the girls thought it would. The buyer and the managers listened attentively to Evaluate’s message: “Modesty is not a trend. Modesty is a style.” The girls also presented their objective of letting the store know about the market it is missing by not selling more modest clothing. In the presentation Liz Christensen explained, “There is a strong customer base you currently miss at your store. It may not be a majority, but we hope to have shown you that it is big enough to make a difference in your business.” The presentation went so well that the influence of these 17 girls and their leaders extended beyond the store’s conference room. The young women were interviewed by <I>The Kansas City Star,</I> and featured in <I>The Wall Street Journal.</I> The British Broadcasting Corporation also interviewed Alisa and Liz.</div> <div> <U>Fruits of their labor</U> So where does it go from here? Now that the presentation is over, the girls and their leaders are not about to abandon the project, not when they are beginning to see the fruits of their labor. Because of the young women’s presentation, their local store’s managers are increasing the number of modest dresses on the racks. Different stores within the chain, such as one in Seattle, have also expressed interest in Evaluate. The young women now plan to contact designers to encourage more modest dresses everywhere. Thanks to the Red Bridge Young Women, next time you go shopping for a modest dress it may be a little easier to find one. You may not even have to hike for hours through the mall with sore feet and an aching back. Instead, with enough support from people around the world, these girls may help us save all the hiking for camp.</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#anchor" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><B>TOP</B></U></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30422210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <U> <A NAME="hold_high_the_torch_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U><U>Hold High The Torch</U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Sister Margaret Nadauld, General Young Women's President<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>(<I>Ensign,</I> May 2002)</div> <div> "The world will try to make you think that being good is outdated and old-fashioned and that popularity comes from breaking the rules and lowering your standards. Don’t buy into that way of thinking. As you watch TV or read magazines, you might be made to feel abnormal when, really, you are the one who has it figured out. You may know that I am the mother of seven sons. I know boys! It has been an exciting life at our house! I’ve learned a lot from them and from their friends, both boys and girls, and I could tell you a few of their secrets. Maybe I could just share one and hope that I won’t get in trouble. This is it: boys hate to be embarrassed. I remember the time a young man I know had a date for the prom. He brought her to our house before the dance so we could take pictures. When they got there he came into the kitchen, where I was looking for the camera, and said: “Wait until you see my date’s dress. She looks so beautiful!” This boy had never said anything like that before so I could hardly wait to see what he meant. When I saw her I understood; she was lovely. The dress she was wearing was beautiful; I learned that she and her mother had searched everywhere for it. When they finally found this dress, they knew it would be perfect with some added fabric and finishing touches to meet their high standards. All their efforts were rewarded because she was absolutely radiant this night, but it was more than the dress that made her shine. It was her quiet confidence. As I looked at her, I was reminded of the scripture, “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong.”Where did this confidence that she had come from? I noticed that this young woman could focus on others because she was not worried about how she looked. She had taken care of that detail weeks before. The young man she was with felt comfortable and safe and happy when he was with her because her dress was not revealing. It was modest in every way, and this made her confident and happy. And that’s appealing. He wasn’t embarrassed by her; he was proud of her. The kind of young woman who can be a terrific torchbearer has high standards all the time, not just in her prom dress, but every, ordinary day. There are so many of you who are like that, and I salute you tonight. You have made modesty your way of life. It is more than how you dress. It includes at least six things that I can think of: (1) your behavior is decent and modest, and yet you are very fun to be with; (2) your language is never crude but happy and interesting; (3) you are well groomed, and that is appealing; (4) you are focused on developing your talents and achieving your goals, not piercing and tattooing and flaunting your body; (5) you play sports with gusto but never lose control; (6) you don’t seem to care about what the latest pop star wears or does because you have a certain style of your own. In summary, you do not imitate the world’s standards because you know a higher standard. You know who you are, and that puts you at a real advantage. You know that you really are a daughter of Heavenly Father. You know that He <I>knows </I>you and that He <I>loves</I> you; you want to please Him and honor His love for you. You know that even if you make foolish mistakes, He will help you if you turn to Him."</div> <div> <A HREF="#anchor" TITLE="Fashion and Fun"><U><B><U>TOP</U></B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B><U><IMG SRC="30545180.gif" border=0 width="325" height="24" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="anchor_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U><IMG SRC="3065f260.gif" border=0 width="95" height="38" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" ><A HREF="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/index.html?E+scstore" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/Soft"><U><U>Knee Shorts</U></U></A></FONT><A HREF="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/index.html?E+scstore" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.kneeshorts.com/cgi-local/Soft"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >Modest Shorts for Everyone</FONT> </div> <div> <U><IMG SRC="3071b1b0.gif" border=0 width="27" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U><A HREF="http://www.dressmodestly.com/default.aspx?affilateid=10051" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.dressmodestly.com/default.asp"><U><U>Dress Modestly</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Comic Sans MS" > Modest tops for young women.</FONT></div> <div> <U><IMG SRC="3071b1b0.gif" border=0 width="27" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U><A HREF="http://www.greatlengths.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.greatlengths.com/" target="_b"><U><U>Great Lengths</U></U></A> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Longer shorts</FONT></div> <div> <U><IMG SRC="3071b1b0.gif" border=0 width="27" height="27" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U><A HREF="http://www.katescamisoles.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.katescamisoles.com/" target=""><U><U>Kate's Camisoles</U></U></A> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#003399" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Modest tops for under sheer or sleeveless tops.</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.landsend.com/pg.cgi?page=SWIMLAND0202&sid=0309058780656167830" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.landsend.com/pg.cgi?page=SWIM"><U><U>Lands End</U></U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >This link is for the Swimsuit area....</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Arial" >check out the instructions for finding your best fit!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.modestclothes.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.modestclothes.com/" target="_"><U><U>Modest Clothes</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >A web portal to modest clothing sites</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.modestprom.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.modestprom.com/" target="_bla"><U><U>Modest Prom</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.modestprom.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.modestprom.com/" target="_bla"><U> </U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >This is one awesome site! Find ideas, patterns, even Make-up tips!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.h2owear.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.h2owear.com/" target="_blank"><U><U>H2oWear</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Modest Swimwear</FONT></div> <div> <U>L</U><A HREF="http://www.ldcreations.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ldcreations.com/" target="_bl"><U><U>atterDay Creations</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Bridal Clothing</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ldsbridal.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ldsbridal.com/" target="_blan"><U><U>LDS Bridal</U></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >and Prom Dresses</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.eternitygowns.com/" target="_blank" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.eternitygowns.com/" target="_"><U><U>Eternity Gowns</U></U></A><U> </U><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFCC" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000080" FACE="Comic Sans MS" >Modest Bridal</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>