(source: Lily Fashion ~ Live Beautifully)
Hello, Everyone! If you haven’t been following the series on Feminine Dress, you can get caught up here with Part 1 , Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, and Part 5.
Click on the link below each picture to lead you to some pretty neat DIY tutorials on all sorts of tops and a few skirts. Whether you sew or not, I hope you find an idea or two that you can implement as you work toward dressing more femininely!
AND just for fun, below the tutorials, there are some more pretty ideas for fall and winter…
~A few of these solid colored tops are so versatile in a wardrobe.
(source: Lily Fashion ~ Live Beautifully)
~Pair with a cardigan or light jacket for a chilly day or more coverage.
and
(source)
~This is one of the neatest sewing tricks I’ve seen! Maybe you will have to try this one!
~The flower on this shrug is a great way to cover up a flaw as was done below.
~This re-worked cardigan spices up a simple flowing skirt and coordinating under-top to make a very pretty look. Both modest and very in style.
(source: Welcome To the Good Life)
~This up-cycled frosted flowers cardigan is made out of a cardigan and an old t-shirt, believe it or not!
(source: Sew What’s New)
~Another really neat top idea (Anthropologie-style, this time) by Lily-Fashion:
~ and a skirt to blouse refashion…
~This Anthropology Inspired Ruffle Shirt is also modest across the bust line. This tutorial is on the Busily Spinning Momma blog.
~Many tees can be pretty revealing if one gets chilled; without the proper undergarment to deal with that, many of us have been unwittingly embarrassed. The Modest Mom blog offers many nice options for an under shell. This is part of a great all-season solution. They come in long sleeves and other options.
~And to pair with some of these tops, my friend Laura tells us how to make this lovely multi-layered skirt:
~And to sew a simple circle skirt, here is a super-easy, six-panel skirt from Better Homes and Gardens that is perfect for finishing an outfit using the tops above. I personally love this skirt and top combo.
Also, many of you ladies have requested that I do a post on choosing shoes that look classy and flattering with skirts. I will be working on this in the next few weeks. This seems to be one reason some find changing over to skirts difficult. Little black flats like these above are probably my top choice. With my big feet, I like that they don’t draw attention.
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More Feminine Dress Ideas to Enjoy!
(source)
This is a simple and versatile skirt tutorial from Joy at Artful Homemaking. Note the shoe choices…
Six Skirts From One Pattern!
My friend Laura made this ‘Back To School’ shirtdress. Wear with boots~ so cute!
Layering for cooler weather…tights and boots..
(source)
Bring beauty to everyone around you with a thankful heart and cheery color.
(source)
Warm sweaters with comfy longer skirts and leggings are the perfect thing for a walk with a loved one. I look for the occasional find like this when I thrift shop. This one is from Plow and Hearth‘s current collection~ pricey, but beautiful and good for ideas.
I couldn’t resist using this very cozy autumn photo again…feminine and charming.
These last three photos are from the Berroco Fine Knitting Yarns website.
A free pattern from Berroco:
Also a free pattern from Berroco:
May we warm this cozy Autumn season not only with clothing, but with a thankful glow that comes from deep within! Blessings!
FABULOUS QUOTE!!!!! Let us take this to heart, ladies!
“A modest dress is a very good thing, if it be the genuine indication of a humble heart, and is to instruct; but it is a bad thing if it be the hypocritical disguise of a proud ambitious heart, and is to deceive. Let men be really as good as they seem to be, but not seem to be better than really they are.” ~ Matthew Henry
~ Jacqueline
Love the tutorials, the pictures, and the quote especially! Thanks for all of your efforts to keep us looking and feeling beautiful and feminine.
Thank you, Melinda,
These are some of the most fun to do! I am really enjoying getting to know you
Amen on the quote!
It occurred to me that I look frumpy in skirts because I don’t know what to wear with them. A t-shirt and a skirt don’t have the same casual look and feel on me as a t with jeans. I need to expand my wardrobe to include some decent (thrift-store buy) shirts to look nicer yet feminine and modest.
Thanks for the post… and the series….you’ve got me thinking!
Hi, Danielle,
I am thankful to be able to do this series. I have approached it prayerfully, so it blesses me to hear that it has stimulated your thinking. To God be the glory!
The ideas seem to keep coming and requests about shoes and a post for girls age 12-16 have me thinking, too!
Grace and peace to you, friend,
Jacqueline
I have really enjoyed following this series! Thank you for the link to my store.
Love the ruffled tops! So pretty and feminine! Thank you for posting such encouragement for us. Blessings to you!
What a lovely post! I love feminine dress and am so glad that you have taken the time to show examples that are stylish, beautiful and modern! Have you considered posting similar ideas and examples for girls around 12-16 I have a very difficult time finding clothes for them that are appropriate, they dont want to dress like little girls, and most of the “teen clothes”are just trashy. They fit the smallest ladies sizes but as my girls have not yet developed, the tops and dresses just dont fit the way they are supposed to. I would be gratefull for any ideas and suggestions!
Hello, Mrs. Carli Thom,
Thank you for your very kind words.
I am gleaning pictures of the ‘Beautiful Girlhood’ years as I find them, but the age you mention is the hardest. Let me see what I can do.
Please pray I find several beautiful family blogs where they value femininity and modesty with a true Christian spirit and not legalism. I will also need to get permission to use their photos, so I can’t promise anything. Thanks for mentioning it
This series was very enjoyable. Lovely taste, modest and beautifully feminine… Great quote! I just may have to get my sewing machine out… Also, a big foot?? I have a size 10 (sigh) and really love the simple mary jane shoes or the functional/comfortable Dansko shoes with my skirts. Have a wonderful weekend dearie!
Halooo, JES!
Yes, I am affectionately known as ‘Bigfoot’! Ha! Anything I can do to minimize them helps!
Are you in the mood to sew? Does your daughter sew? Our upstairs area is filled with material and clothes to be altered or re-purposed, but now my daughter is way beyond me. Seems I worked myself out of a job!
Beautiful post!! I love the tops with the higher neckline with the ruffles and flowers. A very good quote.
GOD BLESS!!!
Hello, Charlotte,
I pray you are well.
Thank you, dear friend! I have missed your cheerful presence
I’m still trying to remember where I found the Matthew Henry quote
I am really enjoying this series. Over the years I have toyed on and off with wearing more skirts and looking more feminine. You would think by now my tom boy ways would be far behind me. ;0) I hope you continue with these posts and they encourage me tremendously.
Christy,
Thank you for your kind words. I am thankful if it can bless others.
I hope I can convey that women can still be truly feminine and every inch a lady, but not go for pink, ruffles, lace and frills. A sturdy woman can get dirty, but she can also get cleaned up nicely, too. Use that tomboy personality to your advantage, and don’t be discouraged! God made us all differently.
Here is a link you might find interesting:
http://www.deeprootsathome.com/sturdy-womanhood-2/
Blessings,
Jacqueline
I have loved reading each one of these posts. Thank you for taking the time to put all this information together for all of us. It has really changed the way I think about dressing. I have found that I need to get some different tops to go the skirts that I have.
Thank you, Sally Ann! I am glad it is a help to you.
It has spurred me to clean out my closet a bit. After years of accumulating without a vision or goal, it is refreshing to pare down and not feel I need to go out and buy more! I can do a better job of mixing and matching from studying this, too
Love the quote-says exactly the truth. And the clothing ideas are superb. Ruffles are indeed a pretty and simple way to add to a shirt’s quality.
Thank you for this series! God bless your day!
I hope the ruffles don’t turn anyone off of the main objective. I really believe we can be feminine without even one ruffle
Sending warm greeting s your way!
Thank for this lovely series on feminine dress. I really enjoyed it and eagerly await the advice regarding shoes! I found it helpful as I have never been too good at fashion! I was wondering if you could do a post on hairsytyles especially for an older woman. I am 53 and don’t know what to do with my hair. i would love to wear it longer but it has become grey and frizzy in recent years and I just look like a mad womans breakfast some days! I always admire women who look feminine but elegant.
Lovely as always friend,
Rhonda
Absolutely wonderful post! All the outfits were so pretty and helpful to guide me with what I’d like to keep my eye open for while shopping. Ruffles! Thanks for sharing this.
Jacie
http://www.munahscupcake.com
Lovely articles! I, too, am looking forward to the article on footwear. It seems that unless I wear good-quality sneakers most of the day, my legs, knees and back hurt. Also, I am 56 years old, 5′ tall, and getting a little chunky. When I wear skirts, I seem to look even more chunky and short.
I absolutely LOVE this series! Ruffled shirts are so pretty and feminine.
I also love how many great outfits you show that are so modest. I buy most of my skirts at thrift stores because its nearly impossible to find them in the stores these days.
Being modest is an expression to me of respect towards God and the beautiful body He has given me.
New to your blog and loving the ideas of feminine modest dress. One question that I have struggled with that I am hoping you can help me with is: while ruffles do look pretty on a shirt, do you think they also draw the eye to the chest? If it does, is that still considered modest? I’ve really struggled with these types of questions as I search God’s Word and redo my wardrobe. Thank you for the encouragement!
Thank you so much your kind words. To God be the glory!!
As I go back and look at the photos with ruffles, it doesn’t make my eye go to the chest with a bad thought, but at 60 I may not be seeing what someone else might see (or think of). That is a good question, and you will maybe need to get more counsel, ask your husband if married, and ask for wisdom (James 1:2). I’m afraid that isn’t much help, but I know the Lord will guide you. Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you!!
Thank you for taking the time to give me counsel. It has only been a couple years since the Lord convicted me of my immodest dress so I’m still trying to figure it out. I look forward to learning more from you. God bless you as you encourage us young women in the ways of the Lord (Titus 2).
Simply lovely post! I will have to say that I especially loved the quote!
Many blessings to you!
Such a great post! Thank you for all the good ideas…and for the fantastic quote!
Love this post. I was able to see Part 6 but where is 1-5 would love to read more.
Robin May,
Thank you! The links are in the first paragraph. I hope this helps
Lovely ideas! I’ve been sewing or altering my own clothing for years since I can’t always find modest clothing in the stores, and it’s amazing how many options it gives you when you can sew! Even when I find low-cut tops, I can usually always fix them by adding stretch lace or a mock-camisole to the neckline.
Katrina,
I am glad you enjoyed it…I was surprised at how many cute things there were online once I really looked around! And, yes, if you can sew and are creative (I’m not so much), you can make something lovely!
ruffles look great on slim women – what about the rest of us. i am too bosomy to wear ruffles on my top and too rounded for them anywhere for that matter- i want to look feminine and not boxy any ideas? flow-ey looks too “mumu” – help! LOL my daughter is short and curvy too…yet wants to wear the styles like this…sigh.
It is all so lovely. Glad I stumbled across your site.