She Wears Skirts

I'm joining in with Amy at Raising Arrows and Caroline from The Modest Mom as they conclude a series they've done all about wearing skirts (entitled, appropriately, "She Wears Skirts"). The series has been great - talking about why one might choose to wear skirts more often, how to accessorize, how it can be done frugally, how it can be done while pregnant and breastfeeding, even how to do it during various seasons! There are so many topics they've covered, and they've all been fun and interesting to read.

For their final post for "She Wears Skirts", they've offered a link-up for others to share some pictures of... well, skirt wearing! Since I tend to wear skirts, probably 95% of the time, I thought I'd join in!

First, I want to give a little background behind why I wear skirts so often. I wouldn't say it's a conviction, necessarily, because I don't believe there's anything wrong with a woman wearing pants. Skirts and pants alike can be either modest or immodest, depending on various factors, so when the Bible speaks of a woman being adorned modestly, I don't personally interpret that to mean "skirts only".

However, here's my background - I was a complete tomboy as a child/young woman. On top of that, I was also very feministic in my thinking (that may not be a word, but I think it can be understood what I mean!). I often felt very awkward in my female skin and rarely wore skirts or dresses. My main attire was short shorts, blue jeans, baggy sweats or exercise clothes.

Fast forward to becoming a wife, and then a mommy - to one boy, then another, then another... I started to become more comfortable in my calling as a woman. I started to desire to be more feminine! I was surrounded with masculinity and wanted to be the softer, gentler one of the family. I clearly remember an evening when I was standing in the yard with my husband while we watched the boys playing, and saying to him "I think I'd like to wear skirts more often. Would that be weird?" and he said "No! That would be great!"

And so I slowly started building my wardrobe of skirts. I remember so well the first time I ventured out in a nice, long skirt (one of my husband's favorites, which has sadly worn out due to many years of wearing!)... and a man held the door open for me at the store! That had never, ever happened to me before! Coincidence? Perhaps... but I have found over the years that I've been wearing skirts more regularly that men actually do take notice - not in the way that they take notice of short, barely-there type skirts and shorts, but take notice in a way that causes them to treat me more... like a lady! Fascinating, really, that a feminine-looking woman can bring out the chivalry in a man! (That, of course, is not the reason I wear skirts, but it has certainly been an interesting observation)

So for me, wearing skirts is a way to feel more feminine, and to remind me of my femininity. Just dressing the part doesn't naturally make one more lady-like, but it can help serve as a reminder of my role and calling, and that God has created me distinctly female, with gifts directly related to that aspect of who I am. So! That is why I prefer to wear skirts.

Now, on to the pictures! These were not all taken this week, this month, or even this year - it's actually hard to find pictures of me, since I'm usually the one taking the pictures. But I was able to get some volunteers to help me for a couple shots this week, and the rest are examples of my basic skirt wardrobe, which hasn't changed much over the years.
I try to keep things pretty simple - sticking with basic, solid colors, or color themes that match my wardrobe. I like earth tones, so there's a lot of tans, browns, blacks, olive green, with some brighter pinks and blues thrown in, too.

It took me a while to get up a good collection of skirts. I was really blessed to discover a local thrift store that offers 1/2 off coupons every so often, which happens to have a very nice selection of skirts. My first visit there I was able to get 8 skirts for less than $30! That made my collection quite complete, and I haven't needed to shop since!

Michael calls this my "homeschool mom" skirt, because, well, it's denim!

I'll admit, most of my skirts are elastic-waisted. I know, I know! But since I am always in the pregnant-nursing-gaining weight-losing weight cycle, it's just more practical to have skirts that can adjust with my body, instead of having to have skirts for each phase. However, I tend to wear pants when I start to get really big pregnant, just because elastic can only stretch so far! Here are two of my maternity skirts:

The day Judah was born!

That's Rachel in there!

Speaking of skirts and pregnancy, did you know there are "labor skirts"?  I actually wore one during Rachel's birth, in the birth pool!  I *loved* how it helped me to stay modest and comfortable, even during delivery!

I think this is officially the most pictures of myself ever on this blog!  Now if you run into me at the store, you'll have to say hi, because you'll definitely recognize me.  I'm the one wearing a skirt, with all the kids! ;-)

Be sure to hop over to Raising Arrows to join in the She Wears Skirts fun!