“PASSION FOR FASHION”

Fashion in our world today, as in other age continually forms an interesting interplay between individualism on one hand and social harm only on the other hand. If one is dressed in the latest style, one attracts attention, recognition and possibly admiration and envy. In essence, women generally have [passion for fashion. Dressing decently is an essential ingredient to the happiness of all women.
For this edition, we will be talking on “Fashion tips for a virtuous woman”. Virtue has its own reward as we all know, yet we live in a society virtually driven by nude and immoral dressing.

Therefore all we need to do is to keep abreast of our role model the blessed virgin Mary and emulate her core virtues which are chastity, obedience and humility. There is no gainsaying that “the way you dress is the way you will be addressed” Decent, gorgeous and good appearance play a vital role in directing women towards a virtuous cycle. Let us give it a thought, self – assurance lies in the fact that if you dress decently, you have greatly helped in preventing the alarming rate of unwanted attention and moral debasement in our society today. The dividends of decent dressing are many. Not only does it create self confidence, it also engenders a feel-good factor. No one should ever dress to “kill” ie to attract attention.

However let us look at fashion as an idea which essentially forms an interesting social behaviour. I have figured out one important feature of fashion. “Fashion is cyclical”. Though it may sound like cock and bull story but the fact remains that “Fashion is cyclical”. Even the doubting thomases. If given an opportunity to express their opinion will agree with these assertion that “old fashions are revived and often displace new trends of fashion” Alas, an age long phenomenon has been that “all new styles are unique and attracts high patronage from customers”. In spite of that, it must be remembered that styles bring recognition and admiration like a peacock, others instinctively adopt them. When asked why?, the reason is not far fetched. It is because we all want to be in accord with the “latest” fashion trends.

Similarly, in every woman’s dressing, jewelleries, accessories etc, the latest fashion trends are sometimes what have been in vogue, some years past. This is what we refer to as “Old school” Consequently, the movie celebrities set the pace. These film stars try out new designs of clothing and soon they soon become the fashion trend of the day. Naturally many people tend to emulate these celebrities. Well then, one way of knowing the fashion tips for a virtuous woman is to talk to one recognized and admired as a virtuous woman. One of such person is Jane Aiheva. Jane who is a staff of CBN Lagos, dresses decently. Jane has one of the most bankable tips for all women and she says “it is not hard to look good and decent at all times and occasions”. She added “my purpose here is to draw into sharp focus that both young girls and married women should wear clothes that cover their curves properly”. Though we know that short gown is the fashion in vogue these days. It must be embraced with caution. Dresses should cover laps and knees well. She also pointed out that wearing of clothes that cleave to our bodies is wrong. This is because they reveal the contours of the human body.

Perpetua Okosa, another admired and recognised virtuous woman, a church warder at catholic church of visitation quasi parish Festac Town laudably says “No to wearing of clothes with spaghetti hand”. Thus she said that some women wear these things to church, forgetting that God himself is present in the church. Most of them dress properly while going on business affairs or when meeting the prominent, personalities in our midst. But why have they chosen to dress indecently to the church? This is very bad she noted.

Jane hence, told us that the cliché “the way you dress is the way you will be addressed” might have been over used but there is no denying, the profound wisdom in it in our church and society at large. Sometimes what we wear arouses sexual urges and feelings at a glance. Talking about wearing of leggings and jeggings, she charged all women to put it on indoors as they should wear tops and shirts that cover up to the buttocks areas appropriately. Jane however frowned upon either half or full frontal nudity. “It is not for a virtuous woman she acknowledged”. Your bust area should be properly covered at all times and occasions. This she pointed out vehemently.

Perpetual Okosa, on her own view, stressed that “Ignorance of our appearance means total ignorance of our personalities”. We are all Christian women, let us not forget that at all times and occasion. Since Christ lives in us, why should we think of wearing clothes that does not cover our bodies properly? Perpetual voiced out as she advised that every woman should be very mindful of the fact that Jesus lives in the church; Also we are here to worship and adore Him. “In my ward rope, there is no spaghetti hand cloth. You too can reason in that direction this year 2012 she advised all.

The foregoing evidence leaves little doubt that one can be good looking classy, fashionable, attractive and at the same time be very decent with her dressing. Show me a woman who knows her onion when it comes to dressing, and I will show a woman who is admired and recognised like a peacock wherever she appears. Oh! how lavishly she is rated among the woman of substance and paragon of virtue.
If you have the ability to dress decently for all occasions and still look beautiful, elegant and attractive then you have what is known as “pinging” look. It is something both Jane and Perpetual do with ease. You can’t look sour but sweet. Try it, consider yourself a virtuous woman this year 2012.

Description of Virtuous woman using the first letter of phrase.

V - Voluntary worker in the vineyard of God
I - Industrious and appealing to all
R - Respects herself
T - Treats everyone with equal love and kindness
U - Uniting her conscious in line with God’s Commandments
O - Observant and Orderly way of life
U - Unique in her appearance.
S - Sincere in all her dealings

W - Watches her comportment
O - Ovation follows her always.
M - Morality is her sign post.
A - Attractive wherever she appears
N - No to violence and selfishness is her watchword.

Question
1. How do you see fashion as a catholic woman.
2. What tips do you consider as a fashionable person.
3. In your wardrobe what can one find and what will not one found.
Send answers –to amonthwithmary@gmail.com or text to +2348088322642.