I was not a bit surprised to see a full mailbox when I finally got the courage to open it last Wednesday. Nothing riles up a woman — pro or con — more than to be told what she should be wearing. And when you add virtue to the mix by suggesting an appropriate attire for church, the very idea gets people (people on both sides, mind you!) hopping agitated.
To the credit of Meridian readers, this week’s batch of letters has been delightfully civil. This is true even though the two mindsets here are polar opposites. Good for you all!
I originally planned to group the pros and the cons of the responses to the plea of “Stockings Please” that we dress more appropriately for church. But then I decided to run ‘em in the order I read ‘em. That way it doesn’t seem as though one camp is ganging up on the other. Here they are:
I do not wear stockings to church except when it is very cold. I get a heat rash from the nylon and prefer not to be covered in red bumps. I do not see the problem if I am wearing nice sandals or dress shoes. I do not think flip-flops are appropriate for church, though. They belong on the beach.
Hates Nylons
I understand the pain concept, Hates, although I thought I was the only one who had to deal with it. One of the ways clothing manufacturers amuse themselves when they’re “serving” customers who are a “whole lotta woman” is to make pantyhose in non-standard sizes. I will order a six-pack of nylons in “Jabba the Hutt” — only to find that one or two of the pairs may fit, others may not even attempt to go around the magic gut, one may have a leg that’s defective and that cuts off the circulation, and the ones that aren’t painful to wear bag like an elephant’s skin around my ankles. Unattractiveness aside, it can be very painful to sit down for any length of time when your waistband is ten to fifteen inches smaller than your waist, or one of your legs is being bisected by a defective pair of pantyhose.
As my mother used to say, “We must suffer to be beautiful.” Frankly, I think I suffer enough without having to endure the practical jokes of the pantyhose manufacturers. But when you’re my size, you take what you can get — in “suntan,” white, or beige.
I have always worn pantyhose to church. Maybe it’s my age (58) or the fact that my mother taught me that wearing your best to church was the proper thing to do. I see young women come to church in T-shirts, skirts and flip-flops. I witnessed the daughter of a stake president come to the podium (at the request of the visiting general authority) to bear her testimony — barefoot! Where was Mom when this happened (it’s a rhetorical question because she was sitting next to her)?
“Casual” is a mind-set that has permeated the minds of not only the Young Men and Young Women but their parents, as well. There has been a loosening of standards over the past few years.
I believe the dress standards will be upheld by example. The Young Men are required to wear long-sleeved shirts and ties to pass the sacrament. They must also be clean and well-groomed (hair cut, and so on). If mothers and fathers set the proper example for modesty and proper attire and these standards are supported and expected through the Young Men & Young Women program, we will see a shift in the attitude.
Kristi R.
Las Vegas, Nevada
The whole time I was reading your letter, I kept thinking of the barefooted young girl speaking in stake conference. One of these days, when she’s older and wiser, she’s going to shake her head over that incident. I know because I’m still shaking my head over something similar I did, many long years ago.
I was sitting in the chapel of the stake center before stake conference, when the visiting general authority, Elder Neal A. Maxwell, came out into the congregation to press the flesh. There were very few people in the chapel at the time, and when Elder Maxwell entered the room, I had my leg on the bench with my shoe off. It was only after he shook my hand and went on that I realized he had no idea the reason I had my leg up and just sat there instead of standing was that I had a little broken bone in my foot and was keeping the foot elevated as long as I could before conference started.
To Elder Maxwell’s credit, he either didn’t even notice my breach of etiquette or had the impeccable good manners not to let on that he noticed. I decided then and there that I was never going to notice what other people were wearing or not wearing — at least, not so they knew I had paid any attention.
I understand the importance of respect and reverence during church. And one’s dress does seem to reflect one’s attitude. However, isn't it more important that someone actually show up to church than what they are wearing?
I can't personally wear stockings due to medical issues, and even if that wasn't a factor, I live in Texas where it’s September and still reaching near 100 degrees. Those hose would be glued to my legs by the time I got home.
I think if more people were accepting of people regardless of what they are wearing, perhaps we would have fewer inactives or more investigators. Now, I'm not saying let someone come to church in a bikini, but what constitutes "Sunday best" to one person is different to another.
I frequently wear long denim skirts to church. Some would think that inappropriate, but I always pair them with a nice shirt — and I'm in Texas, ladies, and a mom of six young kids ages 9-3yrs. I need what I’m wearing to be durable!
So don't judge the non-stocking wears (or is that non-wearers?). Be happy they are at church to learn more of this true gospel.
Texas Mom
Thanks for reminding us, Texas, that there are a lot of reasons why people wear what they wear. A few months ago, a dear friend asked me why I wear the dresses I wear. (I believe I’ve mentioned in the past that my dresses are one step above a muumuu, so they are hardly Dress for Success.) I told her that when you get to my size, you buy what fits — and people don’t make stylish clothing for people like me. She helpfully replied, “Well, you can hire a tailor!”
At the time, I had been unemployed for a little less than a year. Finding a tailor was not even an issue — and it’s even less so now, as my unemployment ends its fourteenth month. But her observation only pointed out to me that we never know why a person does what he or she does. Thank goodness it’s not my job to make decisions for the people around me, because I know I’d mess everything up!
I read Brother Christofferson's talk from the CES fireside. But I think it is interesting that "Stockings" honed in on that one word. He mentioned that either socks or stockings were needed along with something else besides flip-flops or clunky sneakers in the example mentioned. He was talking to young adults at a young adult fireside with the specific speaking objective of honoring all that is sacred, which included lots more than dress. It was an excellent sacredness protocol sermon.
Nonetheless, unless it has changed, the handbook states that appropriate dress for church attendance is "modest and clean." I have seen some stockinged women with some serious cleavage problems. Was that modest? Each week the last year I have seen youth attend in lovely pantsuits. Was that immodest?
Yesterday I wore no stockings to — stake conference! Sometimes some instant tanning product can give me the illusion of stockings. It did yesterday. I have even chosen to not wear them to the temple. But I also do not view pantyhose as undergarments, if you get my drift. I also do not wear short skirts or dresses, if you get my drift.
Keep in mind also, that stockings/pantyhose may be items that are considered a want rather than a need, particularly in these times. (A flippant, "Well, go to an outlet store," may indicate that we need to count our blessings that we can afford to even shop at an outlet store. Sometimes those employed or married to those employed forget not all are as blessed, and prioritize food and housing). Who are we to judge what any youth has in his closet?
The spirit will speak to people. I had a dear friend who joined the Church and came to church with her funky hairstyle, short skirts and revealing tops. The hens clucked and tsked. As she embraced the gospel messages, her dress became modest, while still revealing her fun and funky hair and attitude that I am sure the Savior loved, because he loves her.
I spoke with a temple worker who told me that if vacationers see a temple and stop in for a session in their travel clothes, that they will be welcomed and escorted to the dressing rooms so that they are not dishonored for taking time on their travels to worship at the Lord's house.
What did Joseph Smith say? I teach them correct principles, and ......
Deweydame
You make excellent points, Deweydame. I’m glad your funky friend didn’t let the murmuring get her down and drive her away from church. Read on for a situation where the person who was on the receiving end of the tsk-ing didn’t have such a thick skin:
I need to respond to “Stockings Please.” This issue has been a painful thorn in my side, especially when we are working with the missionaries.
Some time ago, we and the missionaries were excited that a woman we'd been teaching and fellowshipping had made the decision to be baptized. Due to circumstances being what they always are, her baptism was held up for a few weeks, but it did take place.
Our sister convert had once been abused, and growing up, felt ugly and unloved. She had been thrust in with the wrong crowd. Hopefully, all of you can understand, possibly relate, to her situation. In her youth, she had been tattooed on her ankle, a beautiful drawing of a rose. She found the Lord and His Restored Church, though, and immediately began to turn her life around.
As it happens, this young sister is plus-sized. Our community is somewhat isolated and does not have very many resources for modest plus-size outfits; but other sisters gave what they could. A skirt here, a blouse there, but not much else. She always wore stockings when she came to church. One kind sister was in the process of sewing some things for her when the following incident occurred.
Sister XXL had not been able to launder her few “respectable” clothes, and so had come to church in a pair of nice clean dress slacks. She was dressed modestly and neatly, to the best of her current circumstances. Unfortunately, one judgmental sister apparently made a comment to her, in front of others, lecturing her in effect, that she was being disrespectful, and that she needed to wear dresses or skirts only (and of course the stockings) or to stay at home.
From that day, until the time she moved away a short time ago, Sister XXL did not come to church. She still continued working through Preach My Gospel with the missionaries and some of us friends. She referred others to the missionaries, as she explored and enjoyed the benefits of the Atonement and membership in the Lord's own church in her life. She met and recently married a good man.
But she had been humiliated, and offended deeply this day by this older sister.
I know there are sisters who are getting lax, wearing sandals, going without the stockings. I also know the air conditioning in our building does not cool adequately during our triple-digit days during the summer, so I don't mind. They come to church meetings and social events. They are not slovenly by any means, though. They are reverent. They serve the Lord. They are good, good, wonderful(!) people, striving to do as the Savior taught, as is Sister XXL.
Elder Christofferson never said that stockings were a “must” when one is attending church. He never said that nice dress slacks were a “no-no.” If you read the talk yourselves, you will see that he emphasizes what is on the inside, what is in our hearts and minds! That spirit is what he wants in our meetings, and in our church. To honor the Lord. To hold His messages and guidelines as HOLY. To keep His commandments. To follow the Savior. To revere our living Prophets. To pay heed to their counsel, yes! Yes, yes yes!
There is no dress code I know of that was drawn up by the Lord. He never taught of conforming strictly to a list of good and bad articles of clothing. There are simply too many cultures now living the Gospel to be so narrow-minded!
I know prophets have given us guidelines as secular fashions change. There have been changes and adjustments, but we have always maintained modesty and pleasant appearance.
Honoring the Lord
You wrote a powerful letter, Honoring. It was a much-needed reminder that we need to carefully monitor the things we say. I have often thought we are far more likely to be condemned for what comes out of our mouths than for what we put in them, and with a mouth like mine, that’s a scary thought.
When I was a smaller fatty, I used to feel very critical of people who dressed down to go to church. I looked at jeans dresses and skirts with blouses, muumuu-type tents, and flip-flops as the worst possible attire for the Lord's house. Let me tell you what happened.
It seemed like overnight I gained gargantuan poundage, and nothing fit me anymore. All my medication said, "May cause weight gain." It did. I was forced to buy the largest thing I could find on a rack, and it involved yards of material.
At the time, denim was already made strong and sturdy, and I bought a (gasp) denim dress. I still wore heels and hose, and felt a little justified.
Later on, my feet and legs swelled, and stiffened. I could no longer even reach my feet. To put nylons on was mission impossible. My feet puffed up so much I couldn't get a pair of shoes on. So, guess what? The only thing that fit me was a thong type sandal — even in winter.
Much more humble, and quite embarrassed when I spend time thinking about my once-narrow-minded attitude, I wear things to church that I can get on with my arthritic bound body, and shoes that will slip onto my fat feet. (Denim is out, but I have resorted to polyester in some cases.) In winter I wear, yes, socks with my open shoes that someone who loves me puts on for me.
I suppose some younger, or more vain woman, as I used to be, is critical of my dress, especially my footwear, but I can't worry about that. I go to church to worship the Lord, not attend a fashion show. I'm just thankful they make something my foot can get into to offer my feet some protection.
If when we go to church we are looking at what everyone wears, we aren't really thinking about what we should, are we? Whenever I see a woman in flip-flops, I look with pity at her swollen feet, and then at her face smiling and happy to be in church. I smile back. I've learned my lesson.
Krys
Krys, you and I are sisters under the skin. I strongly suspect the real reason I gained 140 pounds in six months, beyond whatever medical stuff was going on underneath it all, was that I was also one of the judgmental ones. Making me walk in the shoes of people I used to condemn was probably the only way the Lord could teach me a little humility — well, a lot of humility — and despite the disgusted stares I now get from others, I am extremely grateful to have learned the lesson.
Readers, beware! The Lord, in his wisdom, also has a terrific sense of irony. Those of us who condemn others may very well find ourselves learning first-hand what it’s like to be at the other end of the condemnation. Trust me on this one. I know.
Here’s a person who sees the casualization of clothing styles as a welcome relief — for the most part, at least:
Because I am an older sister and have health problems, I have been quite pleased with the increasingly casual styles I see at church. I have seen hiking sandals, no stockings, and no slips, on the other sisters. Some of these I quite heartily endorse, but the no slip one bothers me a bit. I know summer is hot, but skirts are see-through unless they are lined.
Stockings I can see as optional, but they do look dressier. I can't wear them because of a leg problem — I can't raise my leg to get into them! I think some sport sandals are borderline dressy and could be worn if the sister has a foot problem and needs the support. I have also seen flip-flops, which I think are way too casual.
I guess the bottom line is: Dress to show respect for where you are and who you are going to worship.. With this in mind we should all be able to dress the best that we can under our own circumstances.
67, Not Ready for Heaven
You make a good point, 67. If you aren’t wearing a slip, ladies, any sun shining on your skirt can show a little more than modesty would dictate. Be warned!
I live in a ward which is located in the inner city section of a medium-sized city. We have a high number of baptisms, but many people being brought in to visit and then join do not come in clothes we would consider appropriate for church because they are poor and don't own anything else. It is difficult.
Our bishop has taken the position that all are welcome and what they are wearing doesn't matter. One sister, already a member, was coming to the ward for the first time from a shelter where she had gone to escape a dangerously abusive husband, and all she had was jeans and tennis shoes. She said later that if the members had looked at her sideways and seemed disapproving that she would have fled the building and not come back.
I agree that there is a standard of dress that is appropriate, but I decided that I agree with a wise friend who said that as people come to be with us and become one of us, they will want to be like us and they will figure out what they should wear. She was content to let example and the Spirit teach them, and simply hold the arms of welcome wide open to them. We have a wonderful spirit of love and faith in our ward, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Marian in the Evergreen State
I’m glad you live in a compassionate ward, Marian. A little compassion can make all the difference. And your wise friend is right when she said we should just set good examples, and others will eventually try to be like us. Good for her!
Here’s another advocate for setting a good example:
I'm so glad you're addressing the topic of appropriate church dress. I'm a Young Women president and mother of teenagers, so I've put in a lot of effort trying to teach all my youth how to dress appropriately. I've quoted general authorities, we've had activities based around clothing selection, and I've given very specific advice before temple trips, but I really think the best way to teach them is through my example.
I've prayerfully considered how I should dress for church so I can set the standard for the girls. If they think I'm just old and frumpy they won't want to be like me. I try to be neat, modest and fashionable, I always wear stockings, I never wear denim, and I will wear dressy t-shirts, but only under blouses or jackets. I'm not completely sure about the appropriateness of the t-shirts, but I like the extra layer of modesty they give me.
Having said that, my example only goes so far. Many of the Young Women still wear flip-flops, worn t-shirts and sweatshirts on occasion. But I'd rather have them at church in their flip-flops than not at church at all. Also, some of their families are currently experiencing financial hardships, and I know when something wears out there's no money to replace it.
Sure, I wish there weren't so much casual dress at church, but if all our devotion were as obvious as our outward appearance, we'd all come up short. (I know others are better at fasting than I am, for instance, but that's not paraded around for everyone to see.) So for now I'll just dress the way I feel is appropriate, love everyone for who they are, and maybe inspire someone to buy a pair of stockings.
Karen from California
What a great letter, Karen! You set an example for all of us, by dressing your best, and then not noticing what other people are wearing.
In our ward, we have had a Young Women leader (she was recently released) who carried around a bag every week with the words emblazoned on it: MODEST IS HOTTEST. If I had carried the bag I would have been laughed out of the building, but she could get away with it because she is young and hip and terrifically good-looking. If Hilary thinks “modest is hottest,” that’s a great example for our Young Women. I always admired her for ruining her look with a bag that sent a message to the people she was trying to reach.
I live in Mexico, and have had occasion to not only see someone else in inappropriate dress, but to have actually been someone dressed — let's just say — less than ideally for Sunday services.
When I was first introduced to the Church at the ripe old age of 39, I literally did not own a dress. I had one, single work skirt that was khaki-colored just like the rest of my work clothes. The length was appropriate, but the only shoes I owned at the time were tennis shoes — except, of course, for my knee-high work boots, designed to hold a large knife and help keep a deadly snake bite from penetrating the leather. That was the outfit I was forced to opt for the first month of Sundays!
Never did anyone in my ward have an unkind word, nor throw me a judgmental glance. Not everyone knew me then, and so most did not know what my job was and why I had such a bizarre wardrobe. Still they were as kind and warm as could be.
Had anyone made even the mildest of comments to me about my clothing during those crucial few weeks, I most likely would have run for the hills and never looked back. Now, 12 years later, I am still a sealed, active member of the Church (and I am still an archaeologist, only now I own a Sunday dress or two, with shoes to match).
You never know another person's circumstances. Some people are too poor for "good" clothes in the beginning. In the case of the women, they may be investigators who come from a different religion in which pants are considered proper church-wear.
Some woman may have physical scars, varicose veins, and other disfigurements, and want to try to hide them by wearing pants underneath a skirt. And then of course we have the problems with tops/blouses. Too see-through, too low-cut, and so on.
Also, there are often cases of rebel teens with their "worldly" fashions. We must remember what a blessing it is that these young people attend services with their parents at all. It is not our place to make them feel less or uncomfortable by criticizing, openly or otherwise, the way they choose to keep their appearance while they are on the delicate path to adulthood. The simple act of being at church will hopefully help them to eventually make better decisions about their lives, but that can't happen if they stay away because they feel ostracized and gaped at.
A long-time member of the Church knows better. An investigator, a visitor, or someone with special circumstances may either not know or not have a choice about what they wear. Our job as their sisters is to make them feel welcome, and gradually introduce them to modest clothing. Although a member may want to bring it to the attention of the Bishop or the Relief Society president, it is indeed their job and only their job to help new members understand the importance of modest dress. Once the ball is rolling, then perhaps someone who has grown a bit closer to the sister in question can give her a new or used skirt, or other piece of clothing, as a present so she will feel special but not "singled out."
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we must always remember that we have the exquisite privilege of being instruments in His hands. We do not, however, sit on his Jury. Judgment is His alone, and we must do all we can to be a help and not a hindrance in paving the way for the Gospel to reach all — even if it means weathering a Sunday or two with a woman in work boots.
Kim Goldsmith de Sarabia, Teotihuacan Ward
I’m glad nobody scared you away from your ward in sunny Mexico, Kim. Truth be told, if you were wearing your anti-snake boots complete with the anti-snake knife, they may have been afraid to do so. What a terrific image!
As a guideline, we have tried hard to follow the “Sunday best” rule, which of course, is completely subjective. I now have three teenage daughters and because I made the effort when they were small to have them dressed in nice and modest church clothes, it is not too hard to have them choose nicer options for church now.
We are not wealthy, have a modest income, but by purchasing good pieces and teaching them how to care for their clothes, we’ve been able to have nicely dressed girls in Young Women each week. I have received comments from ward members over the years about how much they appreciate that are girls are modest, but also appropriately dressed for the Sabbath.
The rules I enforce for Sunday clothes are:
- No jean skirts
- No sweatshirts/hoodies, and
- No flip-flops (as mentioned by Elder Holland in general conference a few years back)
We wear panty hose in the winter, but don’t require it in the summer. Our daughters share things back and forth now, to mix and match. Accessories make things personalized. They are all about the same size and we don’t have the money to afford entire Sunday wardrobes for each girl. Whenever they attend the temple, they know it means their very best, completely with nice dress, skirt or sweater, pantyhose, slip and modest shoes and jewelry. I know this takes effort, but the reward is worth it. I am so grateful I started when they were small!
Mom of 3 Teen Daughters (13, 15, 17)
Enumclaw, Washington
There you have it, ladies — a testimonial of the truth of Proverbs 22:6. If you want tractable teenagers, start early to develop in them the ability to discern between fad and fashion. Well done, Mom of 3!
Glad you presented this topic. We deal with this in our ward. The missionaries and members work hard to bring people to church on Sundays but frequently the investigators do not have the "right kind" of clothes for sacrament meeting. They have ratty jeans, or other items that aren’t up to snuff. Our approach is to welcome them as they are, shake hands with them, make eye contact and love and accept them as they are.
As they feel more comfortable with the whole concept of coming to church, learning about the truth and the plan of salvation, as their self-esteem grows, they will seek to improve their dress to reflect the improved feelings about themselves. (Our ward includes a very poor community where people just don't have the money for the traditional middle-America "Sunday best" clothing.)
As I watched a newly baptized lady, I wondered about her situation and possible child abuse she may have endured. Does she refuse to give up jeans at church because she feels less vulnerable in jeans? A woman is more vulnerable in a dress that in pants she can fight in and run away in. Is her preference for jeans her way of controlling fears from the past? At any rate, we welcomed her in t-shirts and jeans.
If someone alerts me (I'm in the Relief Society presidency) that a less active sister or any female wants to come to church but doesn't have the right clothes, I ask what size clothes she wears and start making phone calls. I see to it that she has what she needs even if she has to wear the same thing every Sunday until she can afford to get something for herself on her own. We sisters know how to share!
Judy in South Texas
That’s a compassionate way to do things, Judy — anticipate the need and fill it before it becomes an issue.
Your letter also brought up to me for the first time that some women may prefer jeans and tennis shoes because those are clothes that allow them to escape from a dangerous situation. Who knew! The longer I live, the less I realize I know. Thanks for an eye-opener.
I am so excited to see this subject being addressed because I have thought about it so many times while watching sisters come and go from various church activities. Maybe it was the way "my mommy raised me," but some sisters show a real lack of respect for our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and our church by the way in which they dress for church (and the temple too) each week. And they are also being a poor example for their young daughters growing up and following their lead.
I don't think I'm too old (I haven't hit 60 yet) not to have some style and know what good style is. Plus, I have a daughter and daughter-in-law that aren't afraid to tell me if something doesn't
look well on me.
We live in Arizona and in the summer it is 115 degrees (more or less) when going to our meetings and church activities from May through September. Even though the buildings and cars have air conditioning, it is still very hot. If someone has a longer skirt (anywhere from below the knee to mid-calf or more) then I think it is OK it go without nylons, as long as you still wear a nice pair of career type or dressy shoes. But NO FLIP FLOPS or anything slightly related to flip flops or tennis shoes with a short skirt and a T-shirt.
Also, make sure that your legs are shaved and your feet are clean and look good too. But when the weather turns cooler, then it's time to invest in a pair of inexpensive nylons for Sunday, or when going to the temple during the week.
The same would be true for those in colder climates. In the winter, you must get out into the snow and at that time a nice pair of dressy boots with a long skirt and sweater would be appropriate. But not a big pair of snow boots or ski boots.
I understand that we must also consider the traditions of the countries throughout the world, and we must also remember that times are tough and money it tight. Good style and modest dress don't cost a lot of money. We need to stop and think about the respect we are showing to our Father in Heaven and the example we are being for the youth of the Church and the non-members in our neighborhoods.
Our Heavenly Father knows who has the money to dress a little nicer than others in the congregation. But money doesn't mean anything to him. He sees that we have "scrubbed and cleaned up" the best we can, we've washed and curled our hair, we washed and pressed our clothes and polished our shoes. We are as clean and modest as we can possibly be for our circumstances.
What if you received a phone call tonight and your Bishop told you that Jesus Christ would be at the church on Sunday and he wants to meet with you personally for an interview. How would you dress? What if this was an interview for a very important new job? Or a first date? Or your son or daughter’s wedding? I'm sure that we would all take a little bit more time to make sure that we looked our best and were wearing "just the right" outfit.
This is what we should be doing every time we go to church or the temple. Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father are always there and they always see how we are dressed. They know if you only have one dress and one pair of shoes. But they also know that you are always "spit and polished" in that same dress every week. They know that you have done your best, and they also know if you were just lazy and threw on any ole thing to go to your meetings today.
"Nina" Karen L
Mesa, Arizona
Nina, you said a couple of things that hit home for me. First, I liked your observation that the most important thing for us is to be “scrubbed and cleaned up the best we can.” We may not have beautiful clothes, or new clothes, or even more than one outfit, but we can all make an effort to be clean when we leave home for church.
The other thing you said was that we “must also consider the traditions of the countries throughout the world.” A previous letter in today’s column mentioned that Polynesian men don’t need to wear white pants in their temples — something I didn’t know. (I wonder what they wear!) I think it’s a little presumptuous of us to be ruling that people in Africa should be wearing nylons. Do they even have nylons in Africa? I don’t know — but I do know that what is considered modest attire and even worshipful attire can vary greatly depending on where you live. I think it’s a mistake to declare that what we are familiar with should be the norm for every culture. That just doesn’t make sense.
Here’s our last letter for today:
By stockings, does this sister mean nylons? Nylons serve no purpose other than to snag and run, looking awful and very fake. My skin tone is neither nude, nor tan, nor taupe, nor suntan.
Our church is the only one I am aware of where members show any respect by dressing up at all, and there is nothing immodest or unfashionable about bare legs (sans hair, of course) at church. I attended a ward out of town yesterday and was welcomed with smiles and handshakes, despite my brazenly bare legs. I love this church!
Happy Legs
What a great name, Happy Legs! And the color of nylons is a real downer when you’re choosing them, too. I once sat in a conversation where a bunch of women made fun of the “suntan” color — which, admittedly, is an orange color that I’ve never seen on a human being. Talk about looking fake! I made sure they didn’t see I was wearing “suntan” at the time — and I’ve never purchased “suntan” pantyhose since.
Okay, ladies and gents — we have enough letters on this subject already to close out the topic next week, so please don’t send me any more comments on this topic. Our next topic will be a winner, and I know you want to get to that one.
Until next week — Kathy
