Amy,
Thank you for taking time to write to us. I know it’s a controversial matter and surely many/most do not whole heartedly agree with the feminine dress suggestions we make. And, you’re very right in the different points you make regarding the dress of men and women and the dress or practices in “Biblical times.” Many years ago I came to the position I hold to this day regarding modest/feminine dress — and distinguishing masculine and feminine dress and for this reason, I haven’t owned a pair of slacks/jeans for over 20 years. This decision came to me at a conference where I saw many beautiful sisters wearing pants/pant suits — even tastefully fitting — and yet, when they reached down to gather things I couldn’t help but notice shapes and accentuated areas of the body I have come to believe ought to be covered — so I began to study the effect of different forms of dress for men and for women; the allure of women, the effect of women’s dress styles on men’s thought-life, etc., etc., and I studied a bit longer after talk it all over with my husband and making the personal decision regarding modest/feminine apparel I hold to this day. Interestingly, I came to this conclusion some time after doing a study of God’s designed roles for men and women and their differences.

I know this breaks down and that there are no real hard lines one could draw — especially knowing there are very feminine looking pants/etc. available. But in general, to me it’s important to align myself with God’s design (male and female created He them) and not wearing clothing that pertains to the other (Deuteronomy 22.5) this would also be sort of hard to come to a hard fast rule over — thus I just don’t even spend time trying to split hairs over what’s feminine and what’s masculine — instead I go with a covering issue and dresses/skirts seem to me to deal best with this. Again, my desire is simply to encourage women to embrace their femininity (and, btw, these are just suggestions — and this is not legalistic talk — this is not a salvation issue and cannot/mustn’t be construed as such and this would be one of those endless doubtful disputations issues and therefore not appropriate/necessary for haggling over). Our (American) culture seems to generally not care regarding the needful distinguishing of men’s roles and women’s roles and dress. I pray to be a help, not a hindrance and surely not attack those who don’t see it this way at all. I just want to encourage women to seek purity, honour and modesty. Sometimes I see that God seems to exaggerate (I don’t mean change or make special exceptions) His call/requirements on some lives and others glean what seems to be very different results. Anyway…. no offense intended here (and none take, by the way). Just iron sharpening iron. I’ve received letters like this many many times through the years and always appreciate the opportunity to discuss the matter of modest/feminine attire. God bless you.

I added your site today. May the Lord God be with you and grant you His marvelous peace and blessings.