Monday, June 24, 2013

Revealing Our Dignity

A good friend of mine recently sent me this video because she knew it would resonate with me, and she also thought it fit in with the sorts of things I like to write about on Something Ivory. She was so right.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about one-piece bathing suits--why I think they are feminine and beautiful and more flattering than two-pieces. In this video, Jessica Rey talks about the history behind the bikini,  the reaction it initially received, and most importantly, how it makes men think and feel and respond (based on a fascinating study that she references). The case she makes it that when we put on a bikini, we are inviting and attracting the wrong kind of attention, that we are eliciting a response that isn't healthy. And it's our responsibility as women to dress in ways that demand respect.

Her talk is not just about saying "no"--it's about reaching unabashedly for something that is beautiful and dignifying. It's about choosing to dress ourselves modestly on the beach, and treating ourselves with respect in the process. Rey actually designs her own swimsuits (which are retro and fun) because she believes so fervently that the way we're currently doing this isn't right.

Here's my favorite quote from her talk:

"Modesty isn't about covering up our bodies because they're bad, modesy isn't about hiding ourselves--it's about revealing our dignity. We were made beautiful, in His image and likeness."

If you have a few minutes, I encourage you to take a look.





3 comments:

  1. Not sure if you've seen this but it's an interesting perspective on the modesty/swimsuit issue.
    http://www.qideas.org/blog/modesty-i-dont-think-it-means-what-you-think-it-means.aspx

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  2. Sarah, this is terrific! Such a wonderful follow-up to Rey's argument. I wholeheartedly agree that just as we should respect our bodies and favor modesty, men should also strive for more respect in their thoughts toward us. Very interesting.

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  3. Kate - I don't mean this to sound snarky (and I'm afraid it will but am unsure how to pose the question otherwise), but why should we favor modesty?

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