JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2026 9:45 am However, my church has less of an emphasis on “modesty”, and more on not expressing too much pride in dress.
So, for example, men are expected not to be too fashionable, avoid things considered excessively worldly like athletic pants, and wear black shoes to church. Women sewing their own clothing is encouraged but not required. The emphasis is that clothing should convey dignity to the wearer.
Not expressing pride is a good thing but I am always amazed at how cultures shift the goal posts.
For example, in the 1800's, preachers encouraged people to wear gray and pewter colors rather than the fashionable black clothes that were becoming more affordable due to new synthetic dyes being formulated that were not very expensive. Wanting to stand out with shiny, snazzy black clothing was considered prideful. Now black is expected in some settings as the opposite of prideful.
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A wee little man can’t say, I’m sorry. A big man owns his mistakes and apologizes.
A wee little man trusts himself and his own discernment. A big man is humble enough to know that he needs the counsel and input of others.
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2026 9:45 am However, my church has less of an emphasis on “modesty”, and more on not expressing too much pride in dress.
So, for example, men are expected not to be too fashionable, avoid things considered excessively worldly like athletic pants, and wear black shoes to church. Women sewing their own clothing is encouraged but not required. The emphasis is that clothing should convey dignity to the wearer.
Not expressing pride is a good thing but I am always amazed at how cultures shift the goal posts.
For example, in the 1800's, preachers encouraged people to wear gray and pewter colors rather than the fashionable black clothes that were becoming more affordable due to new synthetic dyes being formulated that were not very expensive. Wanting to stand out with shiny, snazzy black clothing was considered prideful. Now black is expected in some settings as the opposite of prideful.
Finding black shoes for my children is frustratingly expensive, and in order to get ones that last and meet our expectations for shoes not looking shabby, they need to be more expensive ones such as ones made out of leather.
I personally think barefoot children or children in simple sandals or snow boots would more befit a plain and simple lifestyle.
I will also admit I like my black leather shoes and think I look sharp in them. But perhaps it would be better if I had on the simple canvas shoes I wear during the week.
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2026 2:37 pm
I will also admit I like my black leather shoes and think I look sharp in them. But perhaps it would be better if I had on the simple canvas shoes I wear during the week.
brown leather would be the most natural.
0 x
A wee little man can’t say, I’m sorry. A big man owns his mistakes and apologizes.
A wee little man trusts himself and his own discernment. A big man is humble enough to know that he needs the counsel and input of others.
JohnH wrote: ↑Fri Aug 28, 2026 2:37 pm
I will also admit I like my black leather shoes and think I look sharp in them. But perhaps it would be better if I had on the simple canvas shoes I wear during the week.
brown leather would be the most natural.
My better half made a set of baby shoes out of $1 scraps from the leather shop in Muddy Pond. Brown leather since it wasn’t dyed.
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