After much reading and "listening" to Helen at Castle of the Immaculate and the 4real forum, I decided to try an experiment and have worn only skirts and an appropriate top since this past Trinity Sunday. I know, I know, it's nothing revolutionary or earth shattering about that in particular, but for me it has been a rather enlightening experience :).
A few things I learned about myself during this week of skirt wearing:
1) I can do all housework and play with the kids in a skirt, it actually doesn't get in my way, which was a reason I thought I might not enjoy the skirt.
2) I behave a little differently as my attitude seems less harsh when an annoyance comes up with the dc or my dh.
3) I find myself thinking in a more feminine fashion, ie. I like the way the skirt feels, it's so comfortable, it's cooler than shorts believe it or not, I'm inclined to be more gentle with my kids and love it when they get into the folds and hang on, so sweet to me :)
4) My dh loves it and has complemented me more this week than he has when I just throw something on for the day.
5) The big kicker: I have found myself thinking more about Our Lord and His Blessed Mother and wanting to emulate their LOVE and KINDNESS.
Don't know if it's the skirts or just a turning point in my spirituality, but I certainly will consider wearing skirts/dresses as a regular part of my dress as a way to consider a more modest and feminine way of thinking.
Another bonus and worthy of noting: my dd 10, sweet Violet has jumped on my skirt/dress band wagon along with me and has decided her shorts/skorts just really aren't all that lady like :) We have also had some very lovely discussions about being a lady and lady like behavior :)
If you are at all considering changing your perspective, try a week in a skirt (or dresses) and just see what happens, is it a hinderance or a help?? Is it a blessing or a curse? Please take some time to read the beautiful entries at Helen's lovely and spiritually fullfilling Castle of the Immaculate, it may be just what you need!!
Thanks for checking in on my experiment notes here, may God Bless you in your day!!
This does not surprise me, Meredith. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and thoughts on this.
Posted by: Alice | Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 09:40 PM
Meredith, my girls and I are mainly skirt wearers also. We own a pair of jeans and a pair of capris but prefer the skirts for the reasons you mentioned. Thanks for sharing you experiences!
Posted by: Rebecca | Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 09:53 PM
Meredith you are so right. We have found we can do all our chores - including barn chores - in our skirts. Everything but riding. I feel very odd in pants now.
I also noticed I have some friends whom I have never seen in pants. It occurred to me it would really seem off to see them in pants now. That made me pause. Guess your perspective changes after a while. I don't think we could go back now.
Posted by: Kim | Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 02:49 PM
Thank you for sharing your experience. We enjoy wearing skirts and dresses, here.
Posted by: Christine | Saturday, June 17, 2006 at 05:41 PM
Meredith,
What an excellent post.
You've really given me a lot to think about. : )
Cay
Posted by: Cay | Sunday, June 18, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Hi Meredith! :) I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed wearing your skirts! I also wear only skirts and dresses and so do my 2 daughters. I just love feeling them swish about my ankles :) My dh also loves me in skirts more than jeans - in fact I own 2 pairs of jeans and they barely see the light of day!
Posted by: Sarah | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 08:31 AM
Thank you ladies for all your well wishes and comments, I truly appreciate them all!!
Posted by: Meredith | Monday, June 19, 2006 at 09:33 AM
I've been keeping up with all these discussions, too, and it's giving me some food for thought. I guess if Kim wears skirts I guess I can't really make the "but we spend so much time outside in the dirt!" objection. Thanks for posting about your experiment; it's a little more to think about! (I wear skirts on Sunday, sometimes, and that's about it.)
Posted by: Angel | Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 06:28 AM
I took this same challenge after I read that children have an innate sense of what is proper for males and females. hmmm. I asked my then 3 yr old what I should wear, and he chose a dress for me. I put it on and he was thrilled. Since then, my children just respond better when I wear a dress or skirt... and I am treated with much more respect by others.
Posted by: Ouiz | Monday, June 26, 2006 at 09:24 PM
Thanks for sharing Meredith. I'm doing my own little skirt experiment here now.
Posted by: Cheryl | Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 06:13 PM
I'm so glad you posted this, Meredith, well said!
Posted by: Our Magnum Opus | Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 10:10 AM
I linked this on my blog. Refreshing and great insight!
Posted by: athorninthepew | Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at 08:17 PM
i've been wearing long skirts/dresses for over a year now! i went from track-suits/leggings/jeans only..to more feminine attire. i feel along with a few riends who also changed that it is so much more modest. Am having trouble convincing my girls though. When you think about people used to work in the fields wearing skirts..i even cycle in mine!
God bless
Posted by: Mrs Jackie Parkes | Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at 10:06 AM
I never thought about this, but my husband is always telling me to wear more skirts. My excuse is that I can't play with the kids in a skirt, so thanks for giving me something to think about!
Posted by: beth | Thursday, June 14, 2007 at 12:22 PM