MODEST TIPS FROM THE TALL GIRL

With longer legs come greater challenges to dress modestly, especially with the current trends.  The goal is not to set a standard by which all judgements on modesty should be made, but rather offer a perspective and some suggestions to consider when shopping with modesty in mind from one tall girl to another.  Miss Amelia with her breathtaking smile and gorgeous long blonde hair,  is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She is a full head taller than most of her peers.

The issue of finding dresses and shorts that reach her mid thigh has been a challenge for her for many years.  If a person is petite or average in height, they might not realize just how difficult it is to find stores and styles that offer more conservative options for taller girls. Tall girls living in the southern states might have even more trouble.  With skimpy summer trends and squelching heat comes the battle of flesh versus staying true to values.

"It is possible, if you are willing to work at it," says the resident tall girl, Miss Amelia. She was all smiles as she shared her challenges and the tricks that she has learned to dress with dignity, despite the push of the culture to do the opposite.

 When asked which stores she has the best luck finding clothes that fit her tall frame and body type, she said, "I get most of my shorts from J Crew, and occasionally Loft.  The 'teenager stores' don't make an alternative for taller girls like me. Their options generally consist of short and shorter. Both J Crew and Loft make it so easy to wear longer shorts, because they have all the same patterns but offer them in a 3, 5, or 8-inch length."  The petite young woman could more easily find shorts that reach mid thigh, while someone with Amelia's height might have to wear at least a 5 or 8 inch inseam to even get close to mid thigh.  Then there are the "bermudas."  Not everyone is fond of this knee length style.  They are, however, a super safe option. Some might argue that they don't look fantastic on their body type.  This thought process is likely encouraged by the current trends to wear shorts that barely cover one's bottom.  When all the fashion magazines show styles and celebrities wearing super short shorts, it seems natural that many would want to do the same.  But that doesn't mean that they should!

Taller girls may also be limited in the current trends they can wear modestly.  Responding to this idea, Amelia said that a trend she wished she could pull off is the high waisted shorts.  "They look so cute on petite girls with a tucked in shirt and the right accessories.  But when I wear them it seems like all you see are my mile long legs!  Unfortunately that's one trend I've had to give up on."  She also admitted that she doesn't always wear the longer shorts, but that she tries her best to balance it out by wearing a looser fitted shirt that undeniably provides full coverage on top to balance the outfit out.

Here are some trends that Amelia likes to wear and she added some tips to make the trend more modest for the tall girl.

The Tunic is adorable to wear to outdoor lunches and beachy events, but she recommends wearing thicker leggings, jeggings, or even comfy skinny jeans underneath.  Otherwise, if you bend over at all, everything will be exposed.

The patterned shirt dress is classy.  And this particular dress does hit mid thigh on Amelia, but she still feels more comfortable in it (especially in this time of year) with a pair of tights and tall boots.  It must be added that with this young lady, an outfit isn't complete without the right accessories!

With the longer length of this dress hitting just above her knee, she  feels comfortable wearing the wedges to make it dressier.  Often times a shorter dress paired with high heeled shoes make the dress appear even shorter.  This is something for the tall girl to keep in mind when trying to dress more modestly.

 So what can keep a tall girl motivated when the modest fashion odds are stacked up against her?  Good role models? A scripture verse?  Accountability?  Any and all of these ideas would be valid and helpful.  Amelia comes from a large family.  She has 5 brothers, and 17 cousins.  There are many little eyes looking up to her which keeps her in check.  "Since my family is pretty close I have my brothers that constantly monitor my outfits. They make their opinions pretty vocal and will let me know if they think I’m wearing something too short, even when I don't ask for their opinion." In addition to sharing about her young family members, She said that her Mother has been a great example and has encouraged her along the way. "My mom is an influence that helps me keep my standards high. Since she is also tall and has shown me great alternatives while being fashionable. I also stay motivated knowing that I don’t dress to impress people on earth, but want to be a representation of Christ through the way I look and act," she said.

It is safe to conclude that it does take more effort to find decent clothing for the taller young lady, but like Amelia says, "don’t give in to what everyone else says is 'normal.'  "I know first hand that being tall and modest is a hard combination, but it builds character and makes your outfits worth the extra effort. I have one last tip when buying shorts or dresses that are a little shorter," She continued. "Try buying a size up from what you would normally wear. There is no need to feel self conscious about the size of your clothing. When you wear bigger clothes it not only makes you look slimmer, but also draws the attention away from your legs. This adds a little length and width, instead of your clothes seeming tight and short."

Thank you, Amelia!

More Tips from the Tall Girl can be expected pre-Summer!

***We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Beth Carter!  She has donated her professional photography services to support our cause for many photo shoots.  We are thankful for her, and look forward to working with her more in the future!***

Style Your Phone

From studs to chevron, phone cases are getting their very own wardrobe. Designers like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and Karl Lagerfeld are offering a number of cases that are fun, modern, and trendy. Above are just a few cases that we love. Check them out and add a little style to your phone!

If you already have a case that you absolutely love, we want to see it! Upload a picture on Facebook and tag Top Buttons.

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

Style Your Phone by topbuttons featuring tory burch

Tory burch toryburch.com

Tory burch shopbop.com

Tech accessory urbanoutfitters.com

Dkny my-wardrobe.com

FOSSIL tech accessory fossil.com

Tech accessory etsy.com

BUTTON NECKLACES FOR SALE

All of our Top Buttons Team Members have one! This beautiful tiny button can be purchased in a vintage gold or silver for only $30! All proceeds go to support the mission of our Non-Profit organization.

• This sterling silver or gold charm was cast from an original button and then lovingly hand filed, sanded and polished by the artist that is distributing the necklaces to us.

• It measures 3/8" of an inch across and hangs from an 16" inch silver or gold chain.

It is both dainty and rustic.

Be a part of this movement for modesty by purchasing your TB Button Necklace now. Once purchased, you can expect to receive your necklace within 2 -3 weeks.

Also, you may contact us through our (info@topbuttons.org) email address to let us know if you would like to order one outside of using PayPal.

Options

Vintage Gold Silver

Molly's OOTW

In our TB fashion posts, we will still be showing off some styles for cooler weather, BUT we have to face the facts!  Spring has sprung according to the groundhog!  Therefore, now is a great time to break out those white jeans that you have been sobbing about not being able to wear since Labor Day!

Pair them with a cute pink pastel shirt and another solid color jacket for a business casual look great for school, work, or play! Below are the links to find these items at the right price.

For the shoes, I would pair something that would tie in the color in the jacket, like these adorable peep toe wedges.

For accessories, to me less is more. I like these adjustable bracelets because they are inexpensive and they come in so many varieties.

Jacket | Jeans | Top | Belt | Shoes | Bracelet

All of these items were found at Forever21.com.  Forever 21 is a popular store with lots to offer, but not all items are TB worthy.  We will provide our modest picks from this store and others like it with our "OOTW" posts!

TWO TEENS WHO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

At a young age, high school students Elizabeth and Delaney have decided to put their talent and passion for capturing moments on film to use for a greater purpose.

We've introduced you to Delaney before, but were excited to share a little more about her the characteristics that make this young woman so interesting. She is a high-energy junior in high school that has been captivated by film-making since the first grade. "I am a storyteller, Delaney confessed." She enjoys making stories come alive on screen, to entertain and educated others.

As far back as she can remember, she has been involved in video production. Delaney is a student at a performing arts school where she studies cinematography and video production. With this training she has gained skills in screenwriting, production, and editing, which she says has made her a well-rounded student.

“When thinking about my future, I’m not sure what I want to do. I know I love film, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be my career.” Delaney is a determined young lady, and with that focus and determination comes interests in many other things, which she says makes her future career decisions difficult. “No matter what I end up doing, the skills I’ve acquired thus far will translate into any career,” shared Delaney.

The lack of boundaries in the way women dress is often an issue that arises while working in the filmmaking, confessed Delaney. “But it's all about leadership. You have to work with so many different people in order to accomplish the vision for the film. I see this as an opportunity allow my actions to speak louder than my words. Modesty has a lot to do with respect for myself, but more so for my God.” Delaney shares that she believes that modesty is more than what you wear. It is an attitude of modesty and humility that is imperative in working with people, especially in the area of film and media.

She is prepared for her future as either a creator or connoisseur of film and will carry on her ideals to encourage modesty in young women in whatever field she ends up in.

Elizabeth is new to our Top Buttons team and she has a similar passion as Delaney. But hers is for photography. At the age of twelve she became fascinated with picture taking after her father received a camera for his birthday, but neglected to use it. Elizabeth took her Dad's camera and capitalized on this opportunity to photograph everything she could find. "I had no formal training," shared Elizabeth, "I looked online and taught myself about composition, depth, varying angles and camera settings." Elizabeth started out taking photos of friends and family, and developed her skills for capturing the moment.

Her desire is to capture moments and faces that people might not notice with a natural eye. "I just feel like it's natural when I'm taking pictures."

When asked why she wanted to be involved with Top Buttons, Elizabeth shared about her family values that have been instilled in her from a young age. In her family, she and her sisters have always been encouraged to have reasonable, but distinctly different boundaries of dress than the typical cultural standards of the day. She describes her view on modesty in media by saying, "There is no filter; It's challenging and near impossible to find modesty in photography."

Elizabeth is still deciding her future goals and desires, but would like to see herself owning a photography business on the side while being a mom and a physical therapist. “I will always be taking pictures, shared Elizabeth.”

Delaney and Elizabeth have combined their passions into one common cause. In a culture that expresses themselves in a way that demands attention for a false sense of self-confidence, these young women see the bigger picture. “We are excited to be a part of Top Buttons, and to have this platform to influence young women in a positive way,” they shared. They agreed that they feel empowered to be an example to teen girls who read the blog, and allow them to see that modesty can be fashionable and attainable with a little extra effort.

Photography: Jennifer Duarte

TOP BUTTONS IN SWEDEN

We would like to introduce you to a young woman who will be a regular contributor with Top Buttons.  She is already a fashion blogger with a beautiful spirit and a huge personality!  We look forward to working with her and learning all about what fashion and modesty look like in Scandinavia! Hey,

My name is Sandra. Born and raised in Finland having a Nigerian background now living in Sweden, I would describe myself as a globe trotter with an interest in cultures; very shortly- a free soul. Currently I’m studying Fashion Management at the Swedish School of Textiles in the South of Sweden. It was my great passion for fashion and appreciation towards aesthetics that brought me from a busy city life to a small yet warm-spirited town that I now live in.

Clothing is a very essential part of every day. It’s an outlet for expressing my mood and state of mind. Living pretty much my whole life in the cold Nordic region, where the temperature drops well below zero degrees with just a few hours of daylight during winter, it’s very easy to blend into the depressing darkness. Knowing me, I love to incorporate color into what I wear.

Perhaps my African background also plays to influence this aspect of my style. In doing this, I realize how it brightens my mood as well as other people around. I’ve had people walk up to me and remark about the radiance of joy in the colors I wear. It becomes evident that things like these that seem so little at first can greatly impact the people around us even though we don’t always realize it ourselves. This is something to bear in mind when making everyday fashion choices.

I personally believe that we should all be aware of what we want to communicate to others about ourselves and especially our state of mind and heart with how modestly we dress. This being said, I challenge you to think about what you communicate through your personal style of dressing.

Xoxo Sandra 

Finally it is truly a pleasure for me to be a part of  Top Buttons.  As a contributing team member I hope to both inspire and be inspired by the different styles and thoughts published within this platform. I can’t wait to share some exciting upcoming events from European fashion this spring.  It will be fun!

CONSIGNMENT INSPIRATION

 

These days people pay BIG money to buy "VINTAGE" looking items in retail shops.  The items may look the part, but they haven't earned the title!  We do know for some, shopping consignment  is completely out of the box.  Looking at this rack full of older fabrics and used items may not seem appealing, but we encourage you to give it a try.  If not for any other reason but to save you cash!

  Taking a consignment item and making it look up to date is possible with the right accessories. 

So...If you are in need of a couple of accessories to accompany your Consignment Dress, here are some similar items to the ones worn on Miss Aarika above.

Camel WedgesI Pave Gold Ball Tassle Necklace 

Photo Credit:  Joanna LeMasters and Taylor Flumerfelt

RACHEL'S FULL MAKEOVER,

Rachel is an aspiring nurse from St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Her average look can be summed up in two words: comfy, casual. However, with Rachel pursuing her nursing degree, she is wanting to update her look to a more professional one.

Before the makeover I sat down with Rachel to hear her fashion likes and dislikes, in order to create a look that would fit her unique style and personality. Rachel expressed having a difficult time finding modest apparel, that fit her figure well. Her solution was purchasing sizes that were too big. With this in mind, Rachel and I visited a couple different stores in pursuit of a brand that would work well with her specific body type. In her case it was Old Navy.

For Rachel’s outfit, I chose a collared shirt and blazer combination. I paired it with a dark wash jean, which is an excellent way to keep the outfit business casual without looking too stuffy.

For the hair, we chose a style that would be well suited for her “on the go” lifestyle. This simple bob can be styled with minimal product, tools, and time.

For the make-up, I kept it simple and natural. Rachel could easily pull this look off in just a few minutes. The foundation is light-weight, and looks great paired with a cream blush. For the eyes, I used a palette of greys and taupe. For the lips I chose a wine color, which keeps her look up to date and on trend.

A statement necklace adds personality to the look; bracelets and a jeweled toned ring compliment it well. This look highlights Rachel’s amazing figure without compromising her value for modesty. You do not have to drown in oversized clothing to be modest. Finding the right line of clothing, that works with your body type is key.

Rachel looks ah-mazing in her new modest, professional look. With a newly trained eye in choosing professional pieces that work well with her lifestyle, personality, and body-type, she is ready to confidently enter into the next season of her life.

Shirt: Old Navy, $29.94,  Jeans: Old Navy, $29.50,  

Necklace: Old Navy, $12.00, Rings: Old Navy, $8.00, Bracelets: Old Navy, $8.00 (Jewelry can NOT be purchased ONLINE at this time.)

Foundation: SKINN plasma foundation, $64.50,  Powder: Estee Lauder, Lucidity, $29.00,   Blush: Eve Pearl, Eyeshadow: The Estee Lauder Shadows that were used are discontinued. A palette similar is the Film Noir from Estee Lauder, $48.00,  Eyeliner: Urban Decay, 24-7 Glide On Pencil, $19.00,  Lips: SKINN, $54.98  Mascara: Eco Bella, Flower Color Natural Mascara in black, $17.95, 

Photography: Reagan Miura

Article by: Rebekah Miura

Haircut by: Erin Herren at John Josephson’s Salon

PARENTAL INFLUENCE NOT TAKEN FOR GRANTED

The love of a parent is something that is easily taking for granted. Molly Dodd, 22, a Senior at Southeastern University knows this first hand. At sixteen years of age, she lost her father to a massive heart attack. At this time in her life, she was a happy-go-lucky teenager and this event rocked her world. “I didn’t know how to respond,” she shared. Her life was forever changed.

Life was never normal for Molly, but she learned to adapt and work around “father-daughter” functions and events. She explained, “It became my new normal. Every day was a new emotional adventure.”

Five years later, Molly’s mom Jerri became ill. Throughout a year of doctors trying to diagnose a problem, her condition slowly worsened. In February of 2012, Jerri had a life changing surgery to remove the diagnosed tumor on her adrenal gland, but once in surgery, the doctors found a large amount of cancer on five of her organs and lungs. Jerri never woke up from the surgery, and this was completely devastating to Molly and her family. “Talk about not knowing where to turn, I had no parents left to turn to.”

Molly had a close relationship with both of her parents, and with them gone, she was not sure who to ask for help. Her faith in God was the primary source of comfort and support, and the love of her extended family. “They were present as much as they could be, but at the end of the day, I was alone,” shared Molly.

Experiencing such a traumatic tragedy was exhausting. Molly explained that she was physically and emotionally drained from all of the decisions that she had to make in such a short period of time. “I had to decide what to sell of my parents belongings, including the house that I grew up in.” These decisions were difficult for Molly to handle, and at times she became overwhelmed. “I just had to pray. Pray that God would make the decisions easier, and that I would just know what my parents would have wanted,” she said. For Molly, it was definitely a moment that she never dreamed of facing at least until her late 50s.

After the extreme moments of decisions and saying her last goodbyes, Molly was able to reflect on her parents' influence on her life. She shared that they taught her how to be a woman of great integrity and character, and that life is a story. Their influence daily inspires her to dress with dignity and respect in order to honor them.

She explained that she feels entrusted to carry this story of God's grace and mercy.

“God must think I’m something else to trust me with such a massive testimony.”

She says that everyone should know that her life is no worse than anyone else's. “I am actually very blessed. For the 16 years that I knew my dad, and the 21 years that I knew my mom, I am so grateful.” She finds comfort knowing they are her biggest fans and are watching her live the life that they and God have given her.

Molly warns, “ I know it sounds difficult, but never take for granted your parents disciplining you or telling you their opinions, they just love you.” She shared that she wishes her parents were around to tell her how they feel or what is on their mind.

She understands now more than ever that life is not guaranteed, and every day is a complete gift. Her parents were an incredible resource of support and motivation in her life, and she is thankful for the years she was able to learn from them. Molly jokes now that she better make good choices, because they are always watching.

Photo Credit: Anastasia Jones-Downing

VINTAGE COUNTRY CHARM

Jumper Dresses are typically meant to be worn over a blouse. Even though the jumper dress isn't always available in the trendy shops, we feel this style could be worn by most body types year round! This Vintage Country Charm look is pulled off nicely with the plaid + consignment horse buckle belt.

Why not throw in some animal print? These Women's Mossimo® Vianca Tuxedo Flats work quite nicely with this outfit.

The Jumper Dress isn't easy to find. But our online search did yield some results! Etsy and Polyvore are great resources to find some of the more difficult items.

Click here to purchase this jumper dress for $30

Click here to buy this Bow-Accent Jumper Dress for $31.50

Stylist: Dana Roquemore

Photo Credit: Joanna LeMasters and Taylor Flumerfelt

AN OZ COLOR

If you haven't already heard...Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced PANTONE® 17-5641 Emerald, as the Color of the Year for 2013. This color reminds us of The Land of Oz!  Green, Green, Green has been steadily rising for a while now, especially in the fashion industry. With an appropriateness for every occasion, emerald has an elegance which makes it irresistible for women’s formal and everyday attire. 

If you are loving this color, you should definitely get at least one Emerald item for your 2013 wardrobe.  We found some options in this color for you to consider!

Old Navy has a classy Young Women's Crepe Tie-Belt Shift Dress   (as of today) in all sizes on sale for $14.99. Urban Outfitters currently has these awesome green Converse Chuck Taylor All Star High-Top Sneakers  for $45. This Vintage 70s Suede Green Cape from Other Peoples Property would be a quality item worth saving up for!  The length of the Green Double Layer Tube Skirt from Top Shop is perrrfectt for winter + it could be worn with a tank in the summer with a purchase price of $40.

If you purchase any of the items we share on our blog, we'd love to hear about it.  Maybe even see a picture?!  You could share them with us directly on our Facebook page or on Instagram with a @topbuttons tag in the comment under the image.  Thanks for stopping by!

Photo Credit:  Kayla Anderson

RINGING WITH STYLE

SPREAD THE WORD AND GET THIS MUSTACHE PHONE CASE... Accessorizing your phone case is super popular right now.  Some people may not want to fool with the switch, sticking to their protective Otter Box.  But many are changing them out DAILY!  We admit this is a fun way to show off PERSONALITY + COORDINATE with your Outfit Of The Day.

We are giving away NOT 1... BUT 2 of our FAVORITE iPhone case with this GIVEAWAY.  So actually we will select 1 winner from Instagram and 1 winner from the entries below and on Facebook.  This really fun MUSTACHE iPhone case fits the 4 and 4s.

DETAILS ON HOW TO WIN:

* Enter through the form below

OR

* (MOBILE FRIENDLY)Enter by going directly to our Facebook Page , Giveaway Tab, which has the same form as the one below

AND/ OR

* Find this image on our INSTAGRAM and follow the instructions below the image a Rafflecopter giveaway

WE

Kenady is our Modesty On The Streets (MOTS) Rep of Lakeland, FL.  Here she is seen wearing clothing from Other People’s Property.  Exact items she is wearing can be purchased from their online consignment shop. To piece together a similar outfit, search the racks of your local consignment shop!

Similar lace up booties can be purchased for $25 here.

Finding this length in a skirt is no easy task when shopping in most retail stores and the button down shirt has unique detail that is more typical with a vintage style.  If you aren't up for the challenge of consignment shopping and OPP has sold this item already, We have found an online site that carries a top like this one.

Side Note:  At Top Buttons, we love many styles from Urban Outfitters, H&M, Top Shop, etc…., BUT not all items sold in these stores could be considered modest.  In our opinion, see-through tops should always have a thin camisole underneath to keep undergarments unseen.  Wearing the fun new styles, and keeping it classy takes extra effort.  We believe it’s worth it and absolutely REASONABLE.

Stylist: Dana Roquemore

Photo Credit:  Joanna LeMasters and Taylor Flumerfelt

NO MAKEUP FOR A WEEK

I remember traveling to Quito, South America years ago with a ministry that I was involved with. On this particular trip I had made a pact with the girls on the team that I would NOT wear any makeup for the whole time. Being considered "high maintenance" is somewhat of a problem when traveling with those that are not. But I gladly agreed, accepting the challenge. Actually though, not being able to look in a mirror, fix our hair, or wear stylish feminine clothing was not really a problem for any of us. The focus was on meeting the needs of others. We journeyed deep into the Amazon rain forest. Our team traveled on a bus up steep single lane pathways until we hit a mudslide where all traffic was at a stand still. We continued on foot until we were able to jump in the back of a pick up truck, then camped with a YWAM base, and flew in a 6 seater prop plane into a small village in the middle of the jungle. As we landed on the dirt runway we witnessed the killing of a pig that would be served in our honor at a dinner later that evening.

Standing out in my mind were the children of this village. They had extreme cases of head lice which were clearly visible with their dark hair. Yet without toys, running water, or electricity, these children were all smiles the entire time. We didn't speak the same language, but we communicated through the missionaries that traveled with us. The way the people of this village worked together as a team, respecting each other and our group of outsiders, spoke volumes about their character.  They made more of an impact on my life than I could have ever made on theirs.

In America, we don’t live in extreme environments where we are FORCED to consider the needs of others. In our country, in many ways we are pushed to do the exact opposite.

WE CONSIDER OUR OWN WANTS AND NEEDS.

We want attention.

We will get attention from immodest behavior and dress.

Therefore, we must push the lines of immodest behavior to get the attention we desire.

Honestly, it appears many people, young and old, men and women, are completely aware of the affect they have on the opposite sex with how they dress. Yet this knowledge inspires more immodesty and not less.

How we looked as young women in this particular environment, more than others, was not important. These people were just interested in the love and message we had to share.  Even though most of us viewing this blog do not live in a third world country, is it nonsense to consider others when we get dressed in the morning? Should we feel a responsibility for the weakness of others? Do we want people to be considerate of our challenges and struggles in other areas? Does dressing modestly always keep someone from sexual thoughts? If you believe in the Bible as we do, what does it have to say about prioritizing the needs of others over our own? While many of us don't live in a third world country, what can we learn from people and culture who prioritize the group over individual wants?

Written by:  Sarah Powers

These are some of the actual photos taken on the mission trip described above.

TRENDS FOR CHEAP

This month we will be featuring fashion posts that are vintage, eclectic, and CHEAP.  To accomplish this look all you will need are a pair of colored jeans, a men’s style blazer, and some riding boots.  It may seem out of the box, but this would look great on most body types.

We would like to say a special thank you to Dana Roquemore. She offered her services to us for this month’s fashion posts, styling our girls in clothing from her own clothing swap shop, Other People’s Property. She does consignment in a way that would make any piece look interesting and desirable, and yet these pieces are affordable for everyone! You can purchase the items featured in this post from her Other People’s Property online etsy shop. Or you can find pieces similar on your own consignment shop adventure!

Resist the urge to buy a “boyfriend blazer” from a department store. Most consignment shops are full of men’s blazers in all sizes that you can buy for super cheap. The shirt under this blazer is a sleeveless style that is tied at the bottom. New clothing styles in shops like Urban Outfitters show vintage looking tops like this for $30 and higher and are often see through! We recommend looking for this style top at consignments.

Tip: If you choose to tie the shirt at your waist and/or wear a see through vintage fabric, we recommend keeping your belly button and bra covered by wearing a light weight undershirt. SAME LOOK. NO SKIN. Reasonable. ☺

Tip:  Skinny jeans and tall riding boots make this outfit work.  Don’t feel confined to wearing tops and jackets that are tailored.  A large men’s style jacket can actually help you feel more comfortable in a pair of snug jeans.  Also, skinnies can often be “painted on” if you buy a size too small.  While skinny jeans are meant to be more fitted than other styles, they should not RESTRICT MOVEMENT.  Buying for your body type is a whole other subject.

Now her clothing is all from consignment, but her accessories are not!  We definitely need to offer alternatives to these accessories which can be pricey!

In place of the exceptional Tory Burch Riding Boot, we have found another super cute riding boot for $48 for you to consider.  We also found a "dupe" Michael Kors tortoise shell watch from Target for $14.99 which is similar watch to Michael Kors in the image above for a less expensive price.

Photo Credit:  Joanna LeMasters and Taylor Flumerfelt

Color Blocking

One of our favorite trends of 2012 that will carry into the next is color blocking. For those of you who don't know, it is wearing two complimentary colors to create a bold look. Here, Emily has paired a green sweater with blue skinnies to achieve color blocking. Because it involves two prominent colors, make sure you have fun with accessories. Add a pattern, sparkle or textured piece, like Emily's pearl collared shirt, to offset the brightness of the outfit.

Photo Credit:  Beth Carter Photography

MODUGLY

Fabric that is big, ugly, unflattering, and sweltering hot… Does this come to mind when you think of modesty? In 2013, we'd love to take this old term and give it a new definition. But where do we look to define Modesty? Who should define it? Should cultural standards impact our decision? Should we encourage young women to be set apart from society in how they dress when the options for such are so limited? Should we even have a blog promoting modesty, when “modesty" itself is based on the lack of self-promotion? There are many noble causes, should the way young men and women dress even matter in the grand scheme of things? The answers to these questions vary from person to person. But within the fabric of our society is a thread of faith. Faith should inspire growth, change, and healthy standards of behavior in many different areas. Modesty in conduct, which includes the way we dress, is a Christ honoring principle AND a healthy behavior choice.

How then do we determine what is and what isn’t modest?

There is more than one dictionary to define words and phrases. The Webster’s Dictionary was once the place to look; now ANY online site claiming to be a reliable source is used. The Urban Dictionary is quite crass at times, but I found their definition of the word “modesty” to be humorous and thought-provoking. It states, “Modesty is the art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.” This is a secular view which implies people who aim for humility are really actors striving to draw more personal attention. Why does secular society see a humble or modest expression, reflecting one’s desire to honor God and others rather than oneself, as pretentious? This social media, “like my post,” driven society is desperate for attention. We are so desperate that we buy what we can’t afford, pretend our life is what it isn’t on Facebook, and work to gain a following to feel like we “are somebody.”

Here's a valid thought…Wouldn’t young men and women wear styles that are more modest if their music and television role models dressed in more modest clothing? I believe they absolutely would. The need for ATTENTION we all have, gets a strong fix from shock value. SHOCK VALUE occurs as a response to loud and obnoxious opinions, “in-your-face” behavior, and “I’ll wear what I want” styles. This cycle of attention fulfilled through shock value promotes selfishness and more risky societal behavior.

What to do? We can’t redefine modesty in totality because it represents an ever changing principle influenced by the culture, faith and upbringing of its time. It isn’t a term anyone can give absolute guidelines on.

And the look of a modest woman has changed so much over the years. At Top Buttons, we debated whether or not to even use the term “modest” at all, because of the disgust most teens have when they turn the term over in their mouth. It appears that modesty makes most young people think of layering big ugly clothes and gives the feeling of "being controlled." We discussed whether we should use the word “classy,” but that infers “rich” by many people. We do like the phrase “fashion with extra fabric,” but this is a bit long to replace “modesty” with. We also know some other religious communities might be offended by our standard of the term which does not reflect their own. While we respect modest style expressions, at Top Buttons, we recognize that extreme modest styles could be impractical and not easily attainable for young women who do not sew their own clothes and want to dress in a way that doesn't alienate them from their peers.

In 2013, we resolve to talk about, encourage, and redefine this principle with all who are interested. We would love to have you weigh in on the matter. Is it possible to redefine modesty? Or should we throw it out and use a new term? Can we help young women to see this term in a different light? We’d like to know…what do you see when you think of modesty by today's standards? Do you feel it's reasonable to encourage young men and women to have some boundaries in their clothing styles? Why or why not?

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Garrard

Written By: Sarah Powers

Christmas Wishes and a Pretty Party

Our goal of providing a more modest option for fashion trends seems insignificant as we reflect on the devastation that many are dealing with now as the year comes to an end. The ugly truth is that we can patch up, cover up, and pretty up our face and our culture with programs and good deeds, yet not get to the root of the problem...(I'm not denying the VERY significant value of such.) But what we truly need is a love that is strong enough to work from the inside out. At Top Buttons we believe that the hope and restoration found in Christ Jesus is the only power strong enough to overcome the heartache of this world. We must help, love, show kindness, and serve each other as much as we are able to. For this shows the love of God to people in direct tangible ways. But we are not and never will be the Savior. There is only One that came to "seek and save," and only One with the power to do just that. (Luke 19:10). If we could save ourselves, God wouldn't have sent His son to this earth to die in our place for the redemption of mankind. This Christmas season, we are thankful that we don't have to earn our salvation, it's a free gift.  If accepted, it is more than life changing. We can all attest to that.

With that being said, we have much to be grateful for.  The past two months have been a whirlwind as we have worked to create content that is note worthy, Christ honoring, and helpful for young women. We just had to get together one more time before the girls left to spend the holidays with their families in their homelands. Here are some pictures from our TB team holiday soiree that we would like to share with you. This Christmas season, be inspired to dress with dignity and respect as you enjoy the company of family and friends.

We'd love to welcome a new photographer onto the team! She is a budding teen with a passion for snapping photos and it has been a pleasure working with Elizabeth .

Board Member, Katie Deloach (Middle), hosted our Christmas Party.  We appreciate her hospitality!

We will be on a blogging break for a week.  Next year you will see more Modest Solutions posts, Video Tutorials, and also some NEW ELEMENTS to the Blog that will be revealed in January!

Merry Christmas from the Top Buttons team.  May your holidays be filled with love and peace no matter what you face this holiday season.

Photos by: Elizabeth Garrard

'Tis the Season to Sparkle

Dress | Tights | Booties | Necklace | Earrings | Ring

There are so many bright lights twinkling in lieu of the holiday season. Who said party attire for this time of year can't sparkle just as brightly? This red shirtdress is perfect for any holiday occasion. It can be worn dressed up with some statement jewelry, or dressed down will a pair of tall boots and infinity scarf. Worn here, we pieced it with simple, sheer tights and black wedge booties. Whatever you wear to a seasonal get together, don't be shy to add some luminous jewelry to your outfit.

Photos By: Beth Carter

Polish for the Holidays