Friday, February 29, 2008

This is Fashion?

I went to the high school this morning for a fashion show. Silly, huh? Prom Preview it was called. Mac had been asked to be a model. His dad took him to the local florist where Mac picked out a tuxedo all on his own. Complete with bow tie and vest. He did a great job. I was excited to see the prom line-up. That is, I was excited until I got there. Mac looked great, as did the majority of the other young men. However, I was totally unprepared for the outfits that these young ladies had on, and I hesitate to use the word ladies here.

Ladies, no. S*ex Kit*tens, yes. And you know what I really want to know? What are their parents thinking? Mac knew I would be upset. He said that even the other guys couldn't believe the dresses that these girls were modeling. Shameless! Really, I'm not exaggerating.

How about this little number. Or this one. Or this. One of the girls wore a dress with this cut, but in a leopard print. She looked like she ought to be on her honeymoon! Have a look around this site, and you'll get a very good idea of what I saw today.

Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the girl who was emceeing the show talked about "how s*exy you could look in this little number." What happened to wanting to look beautiful, elegant, and lovely? Now all the girls want is to entice and to see who can draw the most attention.

Thankfully, Verne had to work, and couldn't make it to see Mac. And Collin was at the Federal Courthouse with a Boy Scout outing. It was bad enough that the girls and I had to sit through this horrific show, and that Mac was a part of it.

Parents, it's time to stop looking the other way, and get busy leading our children. Don't be afraid to say "No." And have the courage to make your children put some clothes on!


32 comments:

Dawn Herring said...

I also have a serious issue with immodesty, especially among teen girls; but even more so, in the church. It can be very distracting to walk through the narthex of my church and see women passing by with full cleavage showing. Sometimes I wonder what they are thinking. This is one of my top pet peeves.

Anonymous said...

I knowwwww whatcha mean, Tracy. My sisters sent out pictures of their daughters on prom night. I wouldn't even show them to my husband and daughter. I shredded the pictures. They think I'm a prude. I'm not, but that's okay that they think it. :o)

I understand it's typical for many prom go'rs to also book a room in a hotel for the night...where an all night party (?) ensues. Dear Lord, what *are* parents thinking of?!

Even at our homeschool formal we had to turn a few girls away or have them wear their escort's jacket the entire evening. One mom said to me, "My daughter can't help it if she has a chest." haha...oh please.

My daughter wore a strapless gown but nothing was showing. She looked like a lady, and was treated like one.

As for the girls whose parents support them dressing like 'ladies of the evening', my husband has this to quote from Proverbs:

"Like a gold ring in a swine's snout, is a beautiful woman that lacks discretion."

Rebecca said...

I often look at young girls and I'm even talking 10-13 year olds and wonder what in the WORLD their parents are thinking letting them out like that!!!!!! They're NOT thinking. Most times they think its great. My daughter went to all the school dances as a young lady wearing a FORMAL gown. She was elegant and classy. And then we wonder why these girls have no self-esteem. Ok...I'm getting on a roll...I better stop :-) You're right, Tracy...you should have been upset.

Darlene said...

Tracy - how horrible to have to sit through that - ugh!! No wonder the pregnancy rate at the high schools are at an all time high!! Out daughters are bombarded with these images and pressure - look at the majority of clothing stores - its hard to even find decent clothing for teen girls sometimes!! The belly shirts have been replaced with the cleavage shirts - what's next??

Anonymous said...

I completely agree with everyone here...it's shocking to see such young girls dressed so badly. I remember taking my daughter to a school Christmas party and being horrified at how the 10 yr old girls were (un)dressed. So sad.

My daughter (now almost 18) dresses in elegant and stylish clothing if she is going to a school dance. She enjoys being able to relax and feel 'secure' in her outfit.

Love, Tina :)

Patricia said...

Oh my. Makes you wonder "Where is their father?" My husband would die if his daughter wore something like this! Hopefully, one day they will "see".
Patricia

Patricia said...

Oh, by the way - Mac looks very handsome!
Patricia

Diane Shiffer said...

whoa tracy, don't get me started on this one! i cannot believe what some of the girls wear... prom night is especially bad, but let's face it immodesty is the exception rather than the rule these days. and i agree, what in the name of all that is good are their parents thinking?? tight jeans with midriff showing, clingy knit pants with things written across the fanny, tiny little mini skirts...

you know it's not just the way they dress either... my daughter just told me about one of her friends. she and her boyfriend are "going too far" apparently. when i asked my dd how they have this opportunity, she said that they are allowed to spend hours alone together in his bedroom which is all by itself in the basement of their home... whaaaa????? i was absolutely floored. and these are "good Christian families". these kids attend Christian school.. the girl is the valedictorian of her class for heaven's sake! i just hope they don't ruin their lives...

it's all just so very sad:-(

Cherish the Home said...

I feel so sad for these young girls. What I want to know is where are the girl's fathers in all of this? Do they really want boys/men ogling their daughters and thinking those kinds of thoughts?!

I've actually been in a store and heard a mother say to her daughter..."You will look so s*xy in that dress." I wonder if the mother is trying to revisit her youth vicariously through her daughter. Disgusting!

Wedding dresses, these days, are just as bad. At several Independent Baptist Churches we know of, the church had to implement dress standards for wedding dresses and if they aren't followed no wedding will be taking place at that church. It's sad that it's come to this.

Rebecca said...

wow.

The other day I saw something short and skimpy made of bright fushia satin and had black lace it. Like you said, it looked like a negligee! I was shocked! It was in the prom section.

I have often thought about how much fun I had at dances in highschool and how it is a shame that my kids won't get those things. Then, VERY quickly I am tossed back into reality and VERY thankful not to have to worry about that! :-)

What you (and everyone else) has said is right on. The priorities have shifted, and the problem is starting younger and younger. It's sickening.

Mac did look handsome though!

So sorry we couldn't meet up at the airport...but, it was only a one hour layover anyway. But it meant alot that you like me enough to want to meet me! ;-) Thanks Tracy!

Rebecca said...

Darlene~ belly AND cleavage shirts! Ha! Honestly, it's not too far off...

Mimi said...

I am surprised that the dress code at the school allowed such a state of undress (even if it was a special style show)...
and I gather from these pictures that they don't chaperone the prom very closely either...
I was not aware that the young girls dressed like Hollywood now..
I Thank God every day that my grand children are home schooled...

P.S.
Your son looked very handsome by the way...

Momma Roar said...

I would have been mortified too Tracy. Since I have very young children, we are rather disconnected with the HS ages - but I am shocked by what I see worn by young girls in our church - and if that is what they were to church...what on earth are they wearing to school?

I am totally shocked by what some parents deem as acceptable for their parents...even if they think it looks cute and harmless.

Mac looks so handsome - I hope it was still a good experience for him!

Anonymous said...

Your son looked great, as did his friend.

If finding these types of dresses unacceptable is prudish, then call me a prude! You are right, looks like honeymoon fashion, not public wear.

For the Mom's who say their daughter's can't help they have a chest, poor example they set for their daughters. My family is genetically predisposed for large breasts. We can't help that, BUT we have total control whether we cover them appropriately or not.

His Girl said...

OH PREACH IT, SISTAH!!!

I CAN'T EVEN CALM DOWN ENOUGH TO COMMENT.

JUST AMEN, AND AMEN!

Rachel said...

The only thing in my mind right now is SHOCK!!! That is unreal and terrible!

susan ingraham said...

I am beyond frustrated with this trend in girls' clothing. I have a four and a seven year old and I'm having trouble finding decent clothes for them!! I can't find my 7 year old a decent dress for church. All they have are clingy halter dresses - FOR 7 YEAR OLDS!!!! I am not dressing my princess like a hootchie mama! I long for the conservative clothes I wore as a kid.

Gena said...

I agree with everything you said. It is sad and I believe that many parents nowadays are AFRAID to tell their children what to do. We are the parents, for goodness sake, and that is our job.

I was a chaperone at a HOMESCHOOL prom for a couple of years when my older two were the prom-going age. We actually had to send girls home because they arrived in inappropriate dresses. This is AFTER we sent out a letter to all the parents stating what would and would not be allowed at the prom. It was ridiculous. Did the parents read the letter? Did they actually even look at their daughters when they left for the dance? I was simply shocked.

50s Housewife said...

I agree with the other commenters. Unfortunately this is not surprising. I think it really starts when girls are tiny and showing all that skin is "cute". Parents don't realize what they are setting their daughters up for...or maybe they do and they just don't care.

Unknown said...

I agree with you. I think parents should be more Involed with their chidrens dress mode.

Tracy said...

I too have a big issue with immodesty. Particularly in children and teens. I remember shopping for my oldest daughter when she was 7yo. I had to shop in the size 7-14 area and was appalled at the choices I had to pick from. I told her "I'm not an old woman, and I hate how this is going to sound, but no daughter of mine will ever wear something like that".

Fortunately for my daughters they have a mother who grew up in a country where is wasn't even OK to wear a bikini...so they are continually thwarted by my ingrained modesty. I hope the by the time they are making their own choices, that sense of modesty will be ingrained in them too. They are worthy of being treated with respect, instead of being treated as a toy to be played with.

Sheri said...

Tracy, I am very sorry you had to sit through this event. Arg. Yes, prom is a huge immodest event that saddens my heart as well... praise the Lord for parents like you who actually think this attire is inappropriate! There are so many Christian parents who don't have a problem with any of it.

Jennifer said...

Thank you so much for this post!

Those 'dresses' look like lingerie. Literally.

One thing I always say to my teen girls... "that pretty little body is only for the eyes of your husband -- he's not here yet, so PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!" LOL

Mac looks VERY handsome :o)

Stacie said...

Mrs. K,

Wow, I am shock. That is so sad that happened.

I read this somewhere, "Modest isn't about being frumpy. It's about embracing a woman's body in an elegant way."

What happened to girls just wanting to look elegant? It's hard even finding modest dresses for church!! Modesty is something that is so lost in our culture. What will be like someday down the road if it is this bad now?

Thanks for having Stephanie and I over yesterday. We had fun!
-Stace

Living Life said...

Don't you just want to SCREAM sometimes! Where is the fear of the Lord?? We had to say "no" to something this weekend involving our son. He understand and actually took our side in the matter. It's hard going against the grain but SO worth it! :-) Michelle

Mrs. Anna T said...

Tracy, I think the problem is also that 16 or 17 year old girls often don't know exactly WHAT an effect their outfits have on men. Many just go with what is fashionable, which is where authority of parents is sorely missing...

Tori Leslie said...

Amen, Amen and Amen!!!

I always wonder what these dads are thinking in letting their little girls go out like that. Surely they know what other men are thinking! Wake up!!

Great post!

Christy said...

That is so sad and sickening.

The idea of Laura Grace is one of those gowns make me want to throw up. I would strip it off her and burn it!

I can't believe that this is acceptable-that they were allowed to wear that! The principle and parents should be ashamed!

Like someone else said, it is getting harder and harder to find clothes that are modest and attractive for me and lately for LAURA GRACE WHO IS FOUR!!!!

Everything is little mini skirts and halter tops!

Karen said...

I'm speechless. How very sad.
Mac looked very handsome in his tux.

Kelli said...

Oh my gosh, my jaw dropped when I saw those dress links. Shame on them. I'm sorry you had to sit and watch all of that.
On the other hand, Max and his friend are very handsome in their tuxes!
Hugs,
Kelli

Sharon said...

I totally agree with you Tracy!!! One of the things going on in this word that really upsets me! I think the same thing...what are the parents thinking?!!!! Does anyone know how to say no to their children?

RedeemedandCrowned said...

I agree that the prom is no longer a nice formal dance where girls can dress up and look elegant and beautiful. I went to over 10 stores trying to find a formal dress and felt like I was standing in the lingerie dept every time! Our culture has told us that we need to be sexy...to the point of 7 and 8 year old girls wearing clothes that a grown up shouldn't even wear! It amazes me that parents think it's OK, even GOOD to dress their daughters like that! Mind boggling.