I stumbled upon this excerpt on Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters' blog, Girl Talk. Thinking about and helping with Banquet this year, I get excited for it, but I also see where the potential dangers come in. Although this excerpt talks specifically about wedding dresses (don't ask me why I'm reading about that :-P), I think it can be applied to all formal dresses. I know that, by personal experience, that it is really hard looking for a God-honoring formal dress. I used to never have anything against strapless/halter top/spaghetti strap dresses, but after some talks with Jesse, I see where guys are coming from. I also don't think it should become a legalistic standard, but entirely about one's heart with the Lord and desire to please God (yes, the study of Galatians is paying off :-P) Anyhow, enough rambling, enjoy the excerpt! :-)
Ladies, please don’t forget to apply these principles of modesty to formal events and weddings. In recent years, I have become increasingly grieved by the immodest dresses of both brides and bridesmaids at the weddings that I officiate. I have observed a number of young ladies in our fellowship who have dressed modestly all their lives appearing on their wedding day in extremely provocative dresses, exposing more of themselves than on any other day of their lives.
I assume the best about what is going on in the hearts of these young women. I don’t think that they went to the wedding dress shop determined to be provocative. No doubt, they just wanted a dress that would be elegant on this day that they have dreamed of all their lives. When a bride and mother set out on their expedition to find a wedding dress, they are, quite naturally, thinking like… women! Unfortunately, there is no one in the shop who is thinking like a man! I’d like to make a radical proposal, girls. Why not take your father with you to the wedding boutique? If that thought is just too much for you (or your Dad!) at least consider taking the dress out on approval and allowing your dad to see it before you make your final purchase.
Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself when shopping for a wedding or bridesmaid’s dress:
Does this dress reflect the fact that a wedding ceremony is a holy service of worship and not a fashion show?
Can I picture myself standing in this dress, for an extended period of time, just a few feet from my pastor as he opens the Word of God and leads me in my solemn vows?
For the entirety of this subject, refer to:
Modesty