Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Month of the Dress

Feminine Genius: The Dress
"Month of the Dress" by Elizabeth at Startling the Day

The "Bright Maidens" were originally three from the oft-mentioned, widely-speculated upon demographic of young, twenty-something Catholic women. Now, we all take up the cross to dispel the myths and misconceptions. Welcome!



This post is one month in the making: one month of flowing dresses, feminine prints, and (shocker) thinking about outfits and make-up. For the last thirty days, I promised myself that I would wear a dress or skirt at every opportunity. I only failed once.

Before the Month of the Dress, I was a frequent skirt-wearer. Of the things women complain about, dresses should never be on the list.
I don't own the rights.

I expected to come out on the other side of the Month of the Dress a new woman. I would be well-rested, prettier, empowered, a better chef, able to speak to small cartoon animals, and sing a high F.

Expectations being what they are (generally wrong), I learned something unforseen: I'm already the woman those characteristics represent.

Half way through the month, this empowered woman got a flat tire and had to [call my beau to bring his fancy equipment to take off the bad tire and] go to the mechanic for a replacement. I was dressed for the gym, ie running shorts and a t-shirt, when I walked in the doors of the mechanic's.

I don't have to go all the way to Mrs. Manners' reaction because I know my Gramma was looking down screeching, "You look like a rag-a-muffin!"


I became very aware of my informal wardrobe, though any other month of the year, this would be a standard outfit for a trip to the mechanic. In the first two weeks of the dress experiment, I lamented the fact that I didn't notice much of a difference in my behavior or manner after fourteen days. Then there I was, in public for the first time without a skirt on and I felt exposed.

Lest you think one shorts-clad trip to the mechanic flipped me into an anti-pants woman, I will tell you I am donning a pair of six-year-old running shorts, a t-shirt with paint on it, and my hair in a messy bun at the moment I write this.

After my uneasiness at the mechanic's wore off, I realized it wasn't the dress itself or the fact that women "are supposed to" wear dresses that caused discomfort on the day I "failed" at the Month of the Dress. But what was it?

At the Annunciation, the Angel Gabriel hails Mary and calls her "full of grace." In his apostolic letter, MULIERIS DIGNITATEM, Bl. Pope John Paul II wrote that the dialoge from the Annunciation reveals the "supernatural dimension" of the event. 
"Grace never casts nature aside or cancels it out, but rather perfects it and ennobles it. Therefore the "fullness of grace" that was granted to the Virgin of Nazareth, with a view to the fact that she would become "Theotókos", also signifies the fullness of the perfection of" what is characteristic of woman", of "what is feminine". Here we find ourselves, in a sense, at the culminating point, the archetype, of the personal dignity of women."
A woman was the only being on Earth capable of being the mother of God, the person to bear Him, or the first to touch Him. The feminine "mystery" is a confusing concept, which is so evasive and inexplicable, one wonders if we are just repeating a buzz word that has been used for centuries.

John Paul II's deconstruction of the Annunciation shows that the "mystery" of a woman is the fact that she is more than utilitarian or for objectification. As Mary is the archetype of the personal dignity of women, she is our example.

In a later letter, John Paul II writes, "The Church sees in Mary the highest expression of the 'feminine genius' and she finds in her a source of constant inspiration. Mary called herself the 'handmaid of the Lord' (Lk 1:38)" (Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women).

My wearing a dress or skirt for thirty days made an impact on my routine. I spent more time on looking nice, which made me more present when interacting with others outside of my home. I made the effort to be creative when selecting outfits, since the limited wardrobe bound me to repeat them.

I attempted to put on an aire of grace in the form of a dress, in communion with my feminine identity.

However, it was the commitment to the arbitrary thirty day rule that caused the abiding change I underwent this month. Why is a dress the outward appearance of femininity? Does that apply to every woman? How does this relate to my faith?

The Church finds in Mary "a source of constant inspiration" because she was obedient to the Word of God, choosing to use the gifts He gave her for His plan, unselfishly. She served God and in doing so, served others: "a service of love."
"Precisely through this service Mary was able to experience in her life a mysterious, but authentic 'reign.' It is not by chance that she is invoked as 'Queen of heaven and earth.' The entire community of believers thus invokes her; many nations and peoples call upon her as their 'Queen.' For her, 'to reign' is to serve! Her service is 'to reign!'"- Letter of Pope John Paul II to Women

That's the real "dress" for a woman: service.

Good thing, because as much as I praise dresses and their ease, I'm going hiking next week. I cannot think of a more unfeminine thing than me sweating and pulling on a skirt that clashes with my hiking boots as I walk up a mountain.

"I think you look good in shorts, too, though," said my beau. I'll learn to cook a recipe that I know he'll like. And I'll wear my pink bermuda shorts and a blue t-shirt while I make it.

UPDATE: A friend randomly read this passage from 1 Peter 3:
"Your adornment should not be an external one: braiding the hair, wearing gold jewelry, or dressing in fine clothes, but rather the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition, which is precious in the sight of God."
How perfect! This is not a condemnation or an outlawing of the "adornment," but an emphasis that "the hidden character of the heart, expressed in the imperishable beauty of a gentle and calm disposition" is "precious in the sight of God."

11 comments:

CatholicMusicMan said...

I like this. I have three teenage daughters I'll share this with, also. Your writing style is very good! God bless!

Unknown said...

I love the idea of service as a "dress" -- this is such a wonderful post, E! Sorry about your experiment, but even though the practice was not perfect, the essence happened and you still grew from the experience! HURRAH FOR SCIENCE.

johninara said...

I went hiking last weekend in a (below the knee A-line) skirt, you should try it! It's kinda weird the first time, but since I tossed all my pants a few years ago, I'm used to it now & it's cooler & more comfy than pants or shorts. You might find you don't get quite as sweaty...or at least look lovelier doing it. ;o)

Lisa Schmidt said...

Great post, Elizabeth! I'm proud that you can sing a high F, dress or not!

Our neighbor runs, jogs, bikes, etc. in a long skirt. The first time we saw this, we shamefully made fun of her eccentric behavior (our label). Recently we read that story about the track team in D.C. who switched to the skirt-like uniform. Then we felt bad for making fun of our neighbor. Maybe you should rethink donning skirts while you hike, eh?!

Lisa Schmidt said...

Also, I've been putting in about 8 hours/week at our parish. I often wear skirts or dresses while there. While staff didn't exactly say it like this, I was basically told I was too dressed up for the office. Never!

I'll never regret being called a classy lady, and that usually happens when wearing a dress/skirt.

Three cheers for classy ladies. Thanks for your witness, Liz!

Liesl said...

So I couldn't see the pictures when you emailed this to me earlier... this post is so much more epic with those added in!

Chloe said...

That screenshot of Giselle is perfect! And this post is great! :)

I totally related. I almost allllwaaayyys wear skirts or dresses, but, inevitably, someone moderately worth impressing always comes over when I'm wearing something ridiculous to clean the house. Like. Neon yellow running shorts or something. :)

We're still just as ladylike and (hopefully) just as full of grace, even when we break down on the way to the gym! Sometimes it doesn't go according to our plan... but it still goes according to Plan.

I agree with Julie, what a beautiful reflection that service is the real "dress"!

Paige said...

It's kind of like how when I came back to the Church I started praying and I started out by saying "I don't know if you're listening or if you're even there..." But the more I prayed, the more I felt I was being heard, and the more I felt I was being heard the more I prayed, and the more I prayed, the more I believed... So yeah, sometimes just making a conscious effort really can make a difference!

Also, my friend who is a devout Lutheran has a friend who is a religious sister. They grew up in a small mountain town here in Colorado and whenever she comes home for a visit, she goes hiking- IN HER HABIT! Just sayin' :)

Anonymous said...

I love my running skirts!

Unknown said...

Thank you, Don! Please do!

Haha Julie, Hurrah!

Johninara - Good point! I didn't think about the air flow benefit!!

Lisa - I have definitely thought that in the past, as well. I guess the offensive part is the idea that someone might "outlaw" pants or shorts for women just because they're women. If women want to wear skirts all the time (as I might begin to do, since they're so darn comfortable), so be it!

Liesl- hehehe

Chloe- That happens to me too!! Yes, the lady isn't in the "dress."

Paige - Great analogy!! That's a strong argument. If that nun can do it, I bet I could do it.

Anon- I should have mentioned in this post (but I didn't know where to fit it in) that I wore running skirts to the gym many times during the week. They are MUCH more comfortable since there is not uncomfortable... bunching. TMI?

not a minx, a moron, or a parasite said...

"I expected to come out on the other side of the Month of the Dress a new woman. I would be well-rested, prettier, empowered, a better chef, able to speak to small cartoon animals, and sing a high F."

E, you never fail to crack me up. Love ya!

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