From Immodest to Modest... Helping New Converts

This has been on my mind lately, not sure why but I thought I might share some of my thoughts and see if you have any suggestions.

There is nothing like a new convert in the church who starting to embrace holiness standards but to change a whole wardrobe isn’t easy. Sometimes they might only have a handful of hand me down outfits and their current wardrobe nearly useless! I figure I would give a few suggestions that allow you to look into a new convert’s current closet and hopefully find suggestions for modest outfits. These are suggestions for women and young ladies, and girls.

First of all teach them the first key, Layering! If they have short sleeve put a long sleeve shirt under for a causal but cute and modest look. This works for polo shirts, cap sleeve tops and even T-Shirts. Tank tops can be used under shirt too to give a pop of color and a longer shirt hiding the Muffin Top and Plumber Look. Tank tops can be used under a short jacket too.

Jeans to skirts! You can make a pair of jeans into a skirt; this allows them to get rid of jeans and the temptation and gives them an alternatives look. Look up on Google “How to make a Jeans into a Skirt” for instructions. Finding a good jean skirt can be hard and this gives them the upper hand. I did this once with a pair of scrubs to make a scrub skirt!

Remember the tank tops from before, turn them around! Some have a higher neck and can be used for V-Neck Shirts and jackets. If it doesn’t reach high enough, use two safety pins and actually pin the tank top to your bra straps. This helps from neck line falling when leaning over and keeps the bra straps from falling!

Too Tight, if the suit jackets, jean jacket, or button down shirt is too tight try unbuttoning it with a top underneath.

Doesn’t want to get ride of certain T-Shirts (like a T-Shirt from a charity event) but can’t wear it again, they can make a T-Shirt Quilt. (Google it for instructions)

Mini Jean skirts, you can add a 2nd skirt by sewing on an old gypsy or peasant skirt below giving a modest look.

Semi short skirts. Add material or ribbon giving an extra couple inches. If the skirt is print, cut a strip off the bottom add a solid color then add the strip on the bottom. Sometimes you can’t even tell the difference.

Fill in slits with a piece of material also know as a Kick Pleat. Can’t sew very much? I saw one church that if the slit overlap naturally, they would add a row of buttons; this was an easy way of sewing the slit together!

Bargain Shopping! Need tank tops with high necks for V-Neck tops? Go to thrift stores and look under the sleeveless you might have quite a few choices. Jean Skirts can be found often at thrift shops, also items that can be added to a short skirt. Long sleeve shirts for T-Shirt can also be found.

Shopping! Help them learn the basics that will help them in the beginning! First of all BLACK SKIRT! Black piece or Tank top will also be a plus! Their other things that can help, for guys a couple pair of simple slacks and white shirts and different ties.

Blessing Boutique! Our church began the Blessing Boutique for a Ladies Retreat and it has been a hit. Ladies brought in gently used, clothing, that was modest, in shape and wasn’t from the 1800s. In so many words we would swap clothes, it was kinda a “Yard Sale for Apostolic” but we didn’t charge each other! It was a blessing to each other! (If you won’t exact details on how it worked just ask I’ll be happy to explain) With left over stuff, we put some of each size in a closet at the church, this we would use if we had a new lady in the church needing clothing. People would donate through out the year and this gives a variety of items for the Ladies, children and even men to have something if none of these ideas can work! Also if they have clothes that are modest but too tight see if they are willing to donate to the Blessing Boutique so they can be a blessing to others!

Above all, be creative! If you don’t know how to sew try different things, give your own tricks for finding stuff to wear. Sewing helps, if you don’t know try taking a simple sewing class. This can help with doing basic changes. I recommend altering items so the temptation to go back to the old ways is not so easily done. Get ride of stuff by donating it to charity, if its expensive stuff try putting it at a Consignment shop and use the money to buy good modest clothes. Use immodest items and cut them up to fill in other things, like the jeans into skirts need a piece of material.

Please let me know if you have any ideas that you have used or can share to help others with new converts! I kinda throw these ideas out! I've done several of these things, including the Jeans to Skirts, Mini Skirts with Peasant Bottom, Kick Pleats in Slits and few others if you have any questions about those. Email me at Jacquelinesc84@gmail.com

As Always,
Jacqueline