Sharing Isn't Always Caring by Erica

Saturday, August 06, 2011
Oh, hi! I'm Erica, and I blog over at North Meets South, a silly blog about me, my style and my life in Manhattan.



If you saw me walking in the city today, you'd probably think I was absolutely out.of.my.mind. And I probably am because on the day that New York has recording-breaking heat, I'm wearing not one but two shirts (with sleeves!) and a lined skirt...to my knees! There is nary a shoulder, thigh, navel or boob in sight! Why, you ask? Why do you insist on shrouding your body with clothing when with this heat, you could get away with public nudity? Because this what I believe is dressing modestly.


While the particulars of my modesty are dictated by my religion, the principle of modesty is more than what I do or don't wear. Modesty is how I show reverence, respect and gratitude for the most precious gift God gave me: my body.



With my body being my most precious possession, except for those Seychelles heels I thrifted for a buck, I try to keep it looking its best (well...usually) without being too exposed. I mean, I'm not gonna share those Seychelles heels with any stranger on the street, so I definitely won't be sharing the glory that is this. *gestures to self*  I dress modestly so my clothes keep the focus on me, not my flesh, and so what shouldn't be seen, isn't.

And let's face it, I've always hated to share anyway.


Yeah, this ain't for you.
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35 comments:

  1. AMEN. this post is just what i needed; answers to the ever-popular modesty debate. :) you're a great writer, Erica.

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  3. haha, great post! Those heels were A DOLLAR?! How'd you manage that?

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  4. Oh Erica, you're such a babe. And way to show that modest really is the hottest!

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  5. Cute outfit!  Great shoes!

    Erin
    www.simplyjustlovelyblog.com

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  6. i like how you are featuring guest bloggers often, elaine! :)

    xo jeanette

    www.simplychicforcheap.wordpress.com

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  7. I totally agree with you!! Dressing modestly takes a bit more thought and effort. Anyone can throw on some skimpy outfit. I love your style. It's so classy ^_^

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  8. I applaud your attitude on how to dress.

    About the two shirts, men should always wear a t-shirt (when I was a kid we called them "undershirts") under their dress shirts.  This isn't about modesty, but comfort.  The "undershirt" keeps us warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer--if a guy perspires, the t-shirt traps it close to his body and helps cool him down.  PLUS, then his dress shirt doesn't get sweaty (yuk).

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  9. I love this post! She's totally adorable and I would wear that outfit in a second. I just got back from EFY and they talked about modesty, I love what she had to say on the subject.

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  10. While my own spirituality does not necessarily dictate modesty, our bodies are sacred! They are a gift from god to be cared for and I want people to see me, not my body parts! Modesty, from my perspective, is more alluring than baring all and sends messages about the respect we have for self and others!!!!
    Great post, and you look beautiful!!!!!
    Cheryl
    http://justfabblogger.blogspot.com/

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  11. I am loving that pop of red color skirt!! xo Lisa

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  12. I am not Mormon, but I respect anyone who follows their religious beliefs (walks the talk) and also keeps an open, accepting mind to others. Kudos to you for dressing cute AND modest (I mean, really, shouldn't we all be more modest in our dressing these days? *ahem* Lady Gaga).  This was a very personable and endearing post, without sounding judgmental or preachy.  Good job and love the skirt and heels!
    {mommy chic} latest post: one scarf, six ways

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  13. i totally agree! i have always looked at dressing modestly as a point of sophistication. that's exactly why i started blogging...hahaha thanks for the post!

    best,
    nicole
    http://colacolaisland.blogspot.com

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  14. Very  sophisticated :) I can't help but cringe when I see teenagers showing way too much skin for their own good.

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  16. This post is rather disturbing. I find it too judgmental of others who are simply approaching the heat wave in the most practical matter that they know of. Not everyone has grown up Mormon, nor are all those who wear tank tops doing so to be disrespectful. As a Mormon living in Utah, I find Erica's mindset similar to the insular Provo mentality; hers has simply moved to New York. You don't have to post this comment, but please let Erica know that modesty is a matter of the heart, not rules that you can measure with a ruler. Thanks.

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  17. "I find it too judgmental of others who are simply approaching the heat wave in the most practical matter that they know of." <<< That sentence doesn't make sense to me.

    You're right - not everyone grew up Mormon and not everyone who wears a tank top does it in a disrespectful manner. But I don't think Erica mentioned anything about that. She simply mentioned that SHE was Mormon so SHE believed in modesty. Not that EVERYONE should wear two shirts and a knee-length skirt but she was simply EXPLAINING why she decided to dress so in the summer heat.

    Also, no where in this post has Erica mentioned RULES. I think you're looking at this post in the wrong light.

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  18. Pretty! I love the color of her skirt and I like her shoes~

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  19. This made me giggle it definitely did get ridiculously hot the past few weeks. Happy to read/hear that there are people who believe you have to be naked to survive the heat lol

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  20. This post is beautiful because it is a declaration of belief from a beautiful woman. 

    I share many of your views, and your conclusion of why I dress modestly. You go girl 

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  22. I love your post! I was just thinking the other day how crazy I must look to everyone else. 2 shirts... really?? Keep posting!

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  24. I definitely appreciate the desire to dress modestly.  I'm not at all religious and I try to do so.  However, having grown up in the sweltering heat of Arkansas,  I know that it can be achieved without having to layer up and wear a lined skirt.  You can still beat the heat and be modest.  There's a middle ground.

    Not to say I don't like this outfit, it's adorable, but when it's hot, what's wrong with a cute cotton sundress with a t shirt underneath?

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  25. Perspiration cools us down by evaporating from our bodies.  This is why it's so much harder to stay cool when the humidity is high.  The air is so saturated that the perspiration has nowhere to go.  Trapping it against your body with an undershirt gives the same effect.  This is why runners avoid wearing cotton or other fabrics that don't wick the moisture away from your body.
    That said, I do like the look of an undershirt because it gives a cleaner line, and will almost always wear a tank top under my shirts, but I skip it when it's too hot.  

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  26. I'm sorry you found this post judgment; it was not meant to be that way. If you go back to the post, you find that I say "my modesty is dictated by my religion" and that modesty is a principle of respect for my body. I agree that modesty comes in many shapes and forms, and that it's not about rules.

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  27. Nothing at all. I think modesty can be done in all sorts of ways, but because of my religion, my type of modesty includes covering my shoulders. And it was a work day so unfortunately that cotton sundress is out of the question, but otherwise, I would totally be wearng that.

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  29. I really appreciate this comment. I totally believe that modesty isn't the same to all and that while I follow specific rules due to my religion, it's really all about the principle of self-respect.

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  30. Lovely post, Erica!! Modesty is so important. I was just recently applauding another blogger for teaching her daughter how to dress cute and trendy without "letting it all hang out" like so many teens do these days. Ha, I sound like an old lady. lol

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  31. i think i've got modest dressing down okay, but i'm having a hard time beating the "thou shalt not covet" bit with how badly i want those SHOES!!! i heart them. something major.
    -brittney
    http://adayinlifetoo.blogspot.com

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  32. *gestures to self* ......*rolls eyes*. No one wants a piece of that. Trust me.

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  33. Beautifully said in my opinion. I think  modesty comes from within, though religion plays an important key, it can't force you to cover up. You have to make that choice, and you have to wear whatever is comfortable to you. At least thats what I do...
    Bellesme

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  34. This is pretty much exactly how I dress because I believe in being fashionable but modest.  I don't like to feel self-conscious, it's unfashionable!  But since I'm busty it's really hard to find modest but fashionable tops sometimes.  And covering up in the heat is uncomfortable but I just wouldn't feel myself if I wore little shorts and a tank top!

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  35. This post is really cute! I'm a Muslim woman and going through this blog really speaks to me.

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