Fashion show blends style with modesty

Is it possible for Christian women and girls to dress modestly and still dress fashionably? 
   
That was an issue that concerned several women at First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, in Tuscaloosa Baptist Association. Bare midriffs, too-short skirts and strapless dresses were becoming common Sunday attire. 
   
How could this problem be addressed? Women’s ministry leaders searched for a solution.
   
The result was A Beautiful Woman, a fashion show March 4 involving more than 70 models ranging in age from 18 months to 70-plus years. Ten vendors furnished everything from casual clothes to dressy suits and eveningwear. 
   
“We wanted to show women, young and old, that we can be feminine, stylish and fashionable while still remaining modest in our dress,” said Robin Ford, coordinator of the event.  
   
She became concerned about inappropriate dress about three years ago. “Although I don’t have a daughter, I do have a son, and I am concerned about the young women who will turn his head one day,” Ford said. “I realized that modesty needs to be emphasized, and I believe the perfect organization to teach modesty to women is the one God created — the church.”
   
According to Linda Humber, women’s ministry director at First, Tuscaloosa, one of the goals was to include fashions that would appeal to all ages and sizes. “No lady enjoys going to a fashion show only to come away saying, ‘Well, those were all pretty clothes, but I can’t wear any of them.’” 
   
The event began with a laugh when three of the church’s pastors “modeled” their favorite attire, including shorts, sunglasses, straw hats and wildly colored shirts. Fishing poles, golf clubs and croc shoes completed their stylish outfits. 
   
Between fashion segments, Barbara Gladney, a member of First, Tuscaloosa, and wife of Bob Gladney, the church’s administrative pastor, provided a Bible study emphasizing biblical guidelines on dress and encouraging women to value themselves and the image they portray as Christians. 
   
She asked those in attendance to look at the beautiful clothing presented in the show and realize they could dress in current styles and still dress to “please the King.”
   
Jenny Meeks, who recruited the vendors and coordinated the clothing selections, said she experienced enthusiastic participation from locally owned clothing stores as well as some larger clothing chains. Some of the business owners even attended the show. 
   
Humber said the event’s timing was perfect, as it gave the women of the church time to shop for some of the Easter fashions they had seen. 
   
“Our ladies enjoyed this event so much that we’ll definitely have another fashion show next year,” she said.