Dressing Inch by Inch.

It has recently come to my attention that dress codes are eminently ridiculous.

Now, before you jump on the bandwagon accusing me of disrespecting myself, my brothers in Christ, and my authority, let me explain.

I don't have a problem with encouraging girls to dress in an appropriate manner. At all. In fact, I would advocate such a thing.

What I do have a problem with, however, is legislating inches.

For instance. The dress code at my co-op does not allow shorts above finger - tip length, or skirts and dresses shorter than four inches above the knee. Sleeveless tops are prohibited, as are tank tops and / or 'revealing clothes'.

I've dealt with dress codes which commanded that all shirts must be no lower than three inches below the collarbone, skirts must be no more than five inches above the ankle, etc.

But before you accuse me of picking a bone simply because this would rule out the cute dress I planned on for tonight - it doesn't, actually. The dress is only two inches above my knee. Yes, I measured it ;) - hear me out.

The problem with legislating inches is simply this.

Not all women's bodies are the same, or built the same way, or the same height.

And while this might seem dreadfully simplistic, I feel that too often it is drastically overlooked when determining dress codes.

For example.

I have cleavage. My friend does not.

Therefore, three inches below the collarbone on me would be far more revealing than it would be on her.

I am very short. My friend is very tall.

Finger - tip length shorts on me are not only impossible to find, but absolutely do not flatter me at all, yet they cover more than half my thigh and quite frankly it's easier to find Bermudas. By the same token, though, fingertip length shorts on her cover less than half of her thigh, and are rather easy to find since she has short arms and long legs, and she is constantly getting in trouble for immodesty.

And then, prohibiting dresses or skirts which are shorter than four inches above the knee?

My tall friend can wear skirts which are four inches above her knee without revealing anything. Me, on the other hand? Four inches above my knee is halfway up my thigh, therefore I get called out for dress code violations, when in reality, it wasn't me who was at fault at all.

The fault lay with the dress code.

Because each person is made differently, inches are really no good as a dress code measuring rod.

Debating inches - and believe me, I've seen people whip out rulers in order to enforce these dress codes - isn't really the point, and by making it a focal point, we miss the real purpose of modesty.

 The point of modesty isn't a competition of how many or how few inches of your body are covered by clothing. The point of modesty is to dress and behave in such a manner that God is glorified.

Because, as I am positive I've said before, that's the main purpose for our lives, and if the chief end of man is to 'glorify God and enjoy Him forever, then the way we dress should be measured against whether it brings us closer or takes us further away from that goal.

At least, that's how I see it.