A young model shows off her fashionable, yet leisurely attire during a Pure Style Fashion Show in Pewaukee in 2005. (Catholic Herald file photo by Sam Lucero)

Where it starts and how to fix it

According to Hammond, a former on-camera meteorologist at The Weather Channel who hosts “St. Joseph Radio Presents” on WEWN, parents can blame the media all they want for the fashion trends their children are adopting, but the problem lies at home — with the parents themselves.

“Who’s buying their clothes?” said the married mother of four children. “Where are the dads in all of this? Why is it that they let their innocent young daughters out of the house dressed in shameful clothing? As males, they know the hormonal reaction that is being stirred up by these ‘shrink-wrap’ outfits. Is that how they want their daughters perceived? Dads, snap your wallets shut! Decide your daughter is worth more!”

Fall fashions make modesty easier

While their children may argue that tight and barely there is in, parents can find comfort in this fall’s fashions, which Hammond says are more modest that what has been promoted in recent years.

“Being modest in today’s culture is easier than it was five to 10 years ago,” Hammond said. “In the past few years, the Bohemian look has made a resurgence, and longer skirts are easy to find just about anywhere. Currently, beautiful blouses are on the runways and we’re starting to see them in the stores. The big thing this fall is the frilly stuff in the blouses, the pretty stuff with ribbons and bows. Lowriders are gone. The billowing clothes are in.”

Back to school Do’s and Don’ts — Do try on clothes before purchasing them. Put them to the head, shoulders, knees and toes test: — Put both hands on your head. Does the skin around your waist show? — Put your hands on your shoulders. Are they covered? Is the neckline too low? — Bend over and put your hands on your knees. Can you see down your shirt? Are your knees covered with your clothing? — Touch your toes. Does your back show? If you answered yes to any of those questions, rethink the outfit. — Don’t wear anything too tight, clingy or transparent. This includes spandex or any pants that may expose panty lines, and any shirts that allow the shape of the bra to be seen. — Do consider wearing a camisole or slip under dresses and blouses whose material may be too thin or has buttons that leave gaps exposing your torso. — Don’t use your bosom as a billboard. Avoid tops with any type of writing or message on it. This goes for guys, too. — Do consider using a scarf or wrap to fill in areas of your blouse where you may not be covered. — Don’t wear skirts or shorts that are too short. At or below the knee is appropriate. Beware of slits — unless they stop below the knee. — Do measure your neckline — nothing lower than four fingers below the collarbone. — Do remember that first impressions are important. Dress to impress — the way you want people to remember you. — Gentlemen, do make sure your hips and boxers are covered. — Compiled by Amy Guckeen based on suggestions from Colleen Hammond

According to Sandra Keiser, chairperson of the fashion department at Mount Mary College, layering is also in this season, aiding parents in the fight to keep their kids covered up.

“There is a lot of talk about layering this season — dresses or skirts worn over leggings or opaque tights, sweaters that are bulkier, scarves and hats, vests and cropped jackets,” Keiser said. “The layered look can result in a more covered up look once all of the layers are added.”

She noted that leggings, if worn as a layer under a dress, improve the modesty factor, but she warned that they are not to be worn as pants with a short top.

“Dresses are empire style, looser and less revealing. Plaids are important — oftentimes worn in mismatched funky ways,” Keiser said. “Menswear looks offer another approach to fall. Watch for lots of bold prints — geometrics, animal prints, large florals.”

Full and billowing is in; tight is out

While there are plenty of options, finding the perfect ensemble is easier said than done. Hammond encourages parents to look beyond what is in the display window, and to mix and match their own modest creations.

“The challenge is not to buy the outfit they have put together on the rack,” Hammond said. “Layering is good. You can take one of those little tank tops and put something over it. Not everything is going to be super modest, and the challenge becomes that you’ll pay more for what is.”

To avoid the additional expenditure, Hammond recommends checking online for what’s popular on the runways, then hitting the stores not often considered, such as Goodwill, thrift shops and other online stores.

“If you actually look at what’s on the runways, you will see a difference between what youngsters are wearing today,” Hammond said. “It’s not what you’re seeing girls wearing in the malls. I’m constantly sweeping the newest fashions from Paris, Milan, New York City and Los Angeles and picking out the chic new designs that will add elegance and good taste to any closet. Full and billowing is in. Tight is out.”

Fashion has impact upon school dress codes

Not every student, however, will take the hints from the fashion runways to cover up. Thus, high schools have no choice but to adopt a dress code that ensures students are dressed appropriately for class.

According to Ralph Lynch, principal of Catholic Central High School in Burlington, the wording of the dress code in the student/parent handbook forbids any clothing that is distracting to others.

“No skin may be showing at the midriff, no cleavage and no visible underwear at any time,” states the dress code. Other clothing items prohibited include clothing that displays print offensive in nature or promoting alcohol, tobacco or other illegal activities, pants that are overtly tight or not worn at waist level, halter, midriff, tube and tank tops.

A special dress code is also enforced on dress-up days when students attend Mass or prayer services, and other special functions.

How-to’s to modesty

How can parents tell that their daughters are stepping out of the house in fashion, while keeping in mind their Catholic values? According to Hammond, it all comes down to one simple test, an “outfit check,” reminiscent of a popular children’s song, “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.”

When trying on outfits, girls simply follow the actions to the song, putting their hands on their head, shoulders, knees and toes, while carefully checking to make sure that no skin is exposed where it shouldn’t be. A well-designed blouse will not have any type of writing or message on it, plunge too low in the front, or be too tight. A good rule of thumb for the neckline is no lower than four fingers below the collar bone.

Pants, shorts, dresses and skirts are also part of the equation. No panty lines should be seen, or back and belly skin. According to Hammond, lengthwise, “below the knee is considered fashionable and dignified. A dignified lady keeps her kneecaps covered, even when she’s sitting.”

Parents should also remember their children won’t be wearing their clothes in just one position, but in a variety of situations — sitting, standing, walking up stairs and reaching for books at the top of their lockers. The outfit check will ensure that the clothes will be appropriate in any type of situation.

Don’t forget about the boys

While boys are less problematic in the fashion department, Hammond said they should still consider what message they’re sending — dress for success.

“Boys need to dress with respect, too,” Hammond said. “None of this thug streetwear. Have a little respect for yourself.”

So why does it matter? While the advice and arguments for dressing modestly is available, parents might not necessarily be able to get their daughters and sons to take heed.

Two Marquette University students, senior Margaret Smith and junior Rebecca Schmitt, however, have taken the message to heart. Having survived the ebbs and flows of modesty in the fashion industry in their teenage years, the pair offers advice to why young girls should consider covering up.

“As Christians, we must practice what we preach, and dressing modestly is one example of how being a Christian requires more than just one hour every Sunday morning,” said Schmitt. “The Bible says that we were created in the likeness of God the Father. As Christians, we are called to ‘put on Christ.’ In this instance, in a very literal way. Christ has no body on earth but ours, no hands and feet but our own. Christian modesty means respecting the body that God has given you for what it truly is — a temple of the Holy Spirit.”

According to Smith, modesty doesn’t mean hiding your body, but rather allowing others to see the whole person.

“(Pope) John Paul II had a great definition of modesty as dressing and acting in a way that allows people to see the whole person, the real you, instead of over-emphasizing or de-emphasizing one aspect of your humanity,” Smith said. “Many Christian women think that to pursue holiness they have to go to the opposite extreme by completely de-emphasizing their sexuality. They dress in shapeless, outdated clothing that is completely unflattering. By completely negating their God-given sexuality and feminine beauty instead of understanding and appreciating its value and power, they are not giving us a complete, integrated picture of who they really are.”

Mary is good fashion model

Smith contends that if young girls have any questions about modesty, they should take a hint from the perfect example — the Blessed Mother, who embodies all things virtuous. Mary’s example and modesty, Smith says, demonstrates to girls that they can find the freedom and ability to just be themselves.

“The woman who has an understanding of Christian modesty is free to be fully, joyfully, uniquely herself. There is no conflict between her sexuality and her purity, her femininity and her strength, her reason and her intuition. Every aspect of her character, her personality and her unique gifts unfolds peacefully, like a flower in the sun. The church should and does care about modesty because it cares about its daughters and wants them to have the life and peace that comes when they understand their worth in the eyes of God.”

While Schmitt and Smith place their arguments for dressing modestly in the teachings of the church, another reason for dressing less like Britney Spears and more like the Virgin Mary can also be found in human wiring, or hormones, according to Schmitt.

“Let’s face it, guys are wired differently,” Schmitt said. “They are much more physically stimulated. Dressing provocatively is simply creating a temptation for lust to enter in. Respect the opposite sex enough to not put them in such a position. Respect yourself enough not to have to stoop to that level.”

Dressing modestly poses shopping challenges

While both admit it can be hard to find modest clothes, they wouldn’t dream of giving up on the challenge and giving in to some of today’s trends.

“I think I would just be plain uncomfortable wearing some of the things that are out there,” Schmitt said. “I really don’t want to attract that type of attention. I respect my body too much.”

“Honestly, I know I would never be really at ease in inappropriate clothes, so why pay the price of being self-conscious and embarrassed?” Smith said. “But shopping for modest clothes can be very hard and frustrating. The juniors section is too (provocative) and the women’s section is too matronly. I especially feel for my little sister who is 13. There is just no gap between childhood and pop diva in the stores.”

Schmitt and Smith take Hammond’s recommendations into consideration when selecting new clothes, minding the gap between pants and shirts, watching cleavage, and ensuring that everything that should be covered is. Schmitt emphasizes one question she always asks herself before handing over the cash.

“Would I be comfortable having dad see me in this?”