Modest Fashion

High Fashion for the Conservative's Closet

2008-07-07T11:44:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Loch

If you appreciate the beauty in modesty, and prefer to wear long skirts and conservative tops, TAQWA IMAN offers you a complete shopping experience. From skirts to accessories to shoes, they sell many of the items you need to put together a modest *chic* outfit. Every item is priced to be able to fit within anyone's budget because they believe in modest clothes and modest prices. The skirt pictured here is only $37.99, the shoes are $27.49 (their most expensive pair), and the bracelets are only $6.99. Even a 100% silk skirt is under $50.00!

A Long Skirt in the Summer?
I have two skirts from Taqwa Iman and they are loose-fitting and comfortable. Most people assume it would be too hot to wear a long skirt in the summer. I always thought that was the case, BUT-- I've recently become convinced that a long loose skirt is the coolest thing you can wear in the hot summertime! Unlike shorts which trap heat around your legs and body, a skirt allows the air to circulate and lets your legs breathe. It provides shade to your legs (and a modest, feminine profile) while at the same time, you feel as if your legs are naked! If you wear your shorts down to the knee for modesty like I do, you'll probably find that a long skirt made of a lightweight material like cotton feels more comfortable on a hot summer day. The denim skirt I got from Taqwa Iman is casual enough to wear throughout the week, not just on Sunday.

Taqwa Iman pieces were made to be versatile. The skirts and tunics can be dressed up to wear to work or dressed down for the weekend. The tops and tunics were made to be basic so you can wear them with many different bottoms and create your own personal style. Wear your top with a denim skirt one day and a pair of wide leg trousers the next. You can also change things up with different jewelry. During difficult economic times this can really help you save money. Taqwa Iman has long skirts with really fun colorful prints and interesting designs. Summer is all about color, so they have tops in brilliant colors such as yellow and turquoise, and skirts in beautiful colored prints.

-- TAQWA IMAN is currently offering $5.00 for shipping anywhere in the US
and $10.00 shipping to anywhere in the world!
-- All of their skirts are on SALE.
-- All of their tunics are on SALE-- only $25.00 each!

Just visit ==> TaqwaIman.com

July 4th Fashion

2008-06-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

It's hot, and you want to have fun in the sun while staying modest!

I thought it would be fun to do an Independence Day themed fashion shoot, because although our readers don't all live in the USA, most do. I think it's good to have patriotism for the country that you call home. Here in the US, it has become somewhat unpopular to be patriotic. It seems more popular to be jaded and critical about the government. And while I don't agree with everything that goes on in government, I still think my country is a great place to live. There are reasons why so many people each year want to leave their home countries and move to the US. We can all do our part to make our country what we want it to be, so I want to remind everyone to vote and make your voice heard whenever you get the chance! -Jen

Shirt, Daytrip: Buckle.com. Tank Undershirt, gapbody.com. Shorts, Billy Blues: Nordstrom. Shoes, BC Footwear: endless.com.

Shirt, Vintage. Skirt, Christa Taylor.

Shirt, Daytrip: Buckle.com. Dress, BB Dakota: Karmaloop.com. Shoes, BP: Nordstrom.

Shirt by O’Neill, Macy’s. Vest (worn backwards) and Shorts, Hot Kiss: Buckle.com.

Shirt by Belle Du Jour, and Jacket by Fire Los Angeles, Macy’s. Shorts, Vanilla Star Jeans. Leggings, Foot Traffic. Shoes, Vintage Gucci. Sunglasses, Diesel. Necklaces, Party Supply Store.

Skirting the Issue

2008-06-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

Long skirts can be hard to find even in the cold months, but trying to find them in the summer is almost impossible. If you like to wear long skirts, we found a place with lots of them, and a few knee-length skirts too. This company caters to Jewish modesty standards, and the clothes are shipped directly from Israel, only taking a week for shipping. www.ClothesAndStuff.com

The prices are reasonable, ranging from $15 to $50. The skirts shown here are $20 for the first black and white patterned skirt, $35 for the jean skirt, and $50 for the formal ball skirt with sparkles.

Clothes and Stuff is offering this coupon to Jen Magazine readers: 10% off any order of $20 or more when you enter the coupon code "jen magazine"! www.ClothesAndStuff.com

Modest International Style

2008-05-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

We found a unique company that focuses on modest clothing where East meets West. They sell imports as well as local designer jewelry & clothing. At Global Trendzz they have apparel, belts, purses, jewelry and embroidered bags. They plan to soon add skirts, footwear, knitwear, a personal care line and more-- they just launched a month or two ago.

Sandra, who started Global Trendzz, has a pretty impressive history. She has been in the fashion industry for over 10 years. She has worked for companies including Gap, Inc. which owns Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy, where she was on the product integrity team for all three brands at their corporate headquarters in San Francisco. All of her work in the fashion industry has allowed her to travel to over 30 countries, which sparked her interest in international fashion. She says "I wanted to start a fashion company of my own which included imports and my own fashion line. In particular I wanted to design clothing that would be modest, comfortable and stylish."

For Jen Magazine readers who want a little international flair in their modest wardrobe, Global Trendzz is offering 20% off your total purchase! Use the promotional code JEN001.

Global Trendzz is just getting started bringing the best of fashion from near and far to customer doorsteps. Visit them at http://www.globaltrendzz.com.

See the clothes on models and get a better idea of how they fit & wear by watching this behind-the-scenes photo shoot video:

The Cold Shoulder: To See or Not to See?

2008-05-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Loch
Latter-Day Saints believe in covering the shoulders for modesty, and I recently received this email from an LDS teen:

"Ok, so i still have a hard time staying modest. Especially when summer is around. I went shopping yesterday and i found it so hard to stay away from racerback styled tank tops. I don't understand why its such a big deal, i could see spaghetti straps but racerbacks? Its not like guys get attracted to our shoulders like more feminine parts of a womens body right? I just don't understand, i've fallen in to the habit of just slipping on a tank top everyday for school, putting on a sweatshirt for seminary and taking it back off the moment i get back in the highschool building. Even my mother has started noticing. Please help me understand why tank tops are so bad?"

I felt the same way when I was a teen. I wore tank tops, and I didn't understand why I wasn't supposed to wear them. It's not that wearing a tank top is so bad; there are worse things you could be wearing, or doing for that matter. Tank tops are comfortable and I loved wearing them. But I also felt guilty that I wasn't following the rules of my religion and it crept into my mind that I could break other rules as well, so it lead to other things.

I've heard that you should think of it like a test; it's a part of the religion that you believe in, so you believe that God is asking you to do it. He's asking you to do something that you might not understand, but if you obey him you are proving your obedience to him, and he will bless you for it.

If you're looking to date a good LDS guy who goes on a mission and lives the gospel, he will be looking for the same in you. If a guy like that sees that you aren't following the rules, he might think that you don't live the gospel in other ways and you aren't the kind of girl for him.

Shoulders may not be as sexy as cleavage, but men do find them attractive. It's not something they think about, it's more subconscious. Now that I'm married and wear garments, my husband has said on several occasions when I wasn't dressed or was wearing a swimsuit "Oh, your shoulders! I never get to see them when you're dressed. I never thought about shoulders being sexy but now I see why garments cover your shoulders and back because they're really sexy."

And if you think about it, most outfits that are supposed to look sexy show your back and/or shoulders. Just think about what the female celebrities wear on the red carpet. It's almost always something that shows the shoulders or back. When I wore tank tops, I always thought I looked better in them than in tops that covered my shoulders. "I have nice shoulders," I thought. But it actually goes back to the fact that subconsciously we think of showing shoulders as more attractive, sexy or glamorous, and that's why I thought I looked better in tank tops.

When I got married at 20, it was frustrating because I didn't have much I could wear with garments. I wished I had prepared earlier by wearing the kinds of clothes I could wear with garments. I had to change my habits, get rid of some clothes, and start layering.

Sometimes I miss the cool comfort of a tank top, which makes me wish I hadn't been spoiled by wearing them in the first place. But I still buy and wear tank tops; I just use them as layering pieces now. So you can still get use out of your tank tops while covering your shoulders. Just wear them over or under something that covers the shoulders instead of wearing them alone. Wearing a little shrug over a tank top can be a good place to start.

Hope this helps! -Jen

Busy Body: Feminine Prints & Vintage Aprons

2008-05-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

Undershirt and Blouse, Buckle.com. Farmer's Market Skirt, DownEast Basics. Shoes, CharlotteRusse.com. Vintage apron, eBay.

Shirt, Earrings and Shoes, Buckle.com. Skirt, Kohl's. Vintage apron, eBay.

Confetti Dress, DownEast Basics. Sheer Blouse (worn over dress) and Earrings, Buckle.com. Vintage apron, eBay.

Plaid Blazer and Shorts, Kohl's. Blue Floral Top, Buckle.com. Tiny Hearts Tights, JoyOfSocks.com. Shoes, model's own.

Dress, Dillard's. Green Slip, Vintage Hem. Shoes, CharlotteRusse.com. Vintage apron, eBay. Scarf (in hair) Gap.com.

About the model: Nicole Booth is 18 and lives in Kaysville Utah. We asked her to tell us a little about herself. She said "I only model modest clothing... I think it sends a great message out to girls that you can feel beautiful and feminine without showing skin! I think being modest is beautiful and it shows that you have respect for your body and those around you. Its nice to be able to be step away from the worldly image of women, and be different & classy. I really love photography, reading, and spending time with my family :) they are the best. My Friday nights consist of renting a movie and eating very unhealthy food :)"

Hair by Matthew Landis. Model: Nicole Booth. Fashion styling: Jennifer Loch.

Eliza: A Magazine with High Standards

2008-03-31T08:23:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Loch
There's a newcomer to the modest fashion world: a modest/conservative quarterly fashion magazine called Eliza launched in June of '07. In their own words, "Eliza Magazine is created for women who want to be stylish, sexy, and engaged in the world while retaining high standards in dress, entertainment, and lifestyle. Eliza strives to bring you the best of fashion without any of the trash."

I talked to the founder/editor-in-chief Summer Bellessa (pictured below) to ask her some questions:

*Jen*: What lead you to start this magazine?
Summer: The idea came to me when chatting with a diverse group of women about what we thought was missing in magazines. Some of us brought up positive role models, art and fashion without nudity, modest fashions that were stylish, beautiful images comparative to Vogue but with practicality of Lucky, practical smart articles without pretention or sex advice. That got my thinking, if we are all wanting a magazine like this and we are all so different there must be a market for it. My knowledge of fashion, the various connections I had with talented people and my naivetés led me to jump right in.

*Jen*: How did you let people know about your magazine when you first launched/how did you get your first subscribers?
Summer: Our first subscribers came from word of mouth. We put our website up and sent out an email to all our friends and had a great reaction. Then Newsweek mentioned us, Good Morning America featured us, and Fox interviewed me on air live! Subscriptions started pouring in.

*Jen*: Who is your target audience?
Summer: Our readers are mainly women from 17 to 34.

*Jen*: What rules do you stick to when it comes to the clothing you will show in Eliza Magazine?
Summer: We try to bring back the Audrey Hepburn look to fashion. The classic cuts and lady-like attitude. We show styles that will work from all different "modest" point of view.

*Jen*: Where do you get the clothing that is used in fashion editorials?
Summer: Our fabulous stylists grab cute looks from our advertisers (Layers, Funky Frum, Vintage Hem, Sexy Modest, etc) and then select pieces from Los Angeles designers that fit with our vision. They, together with the art director and photographer, put together fabulous fashion stories.

*Jen*: What sections do you have in each issue?
Summer: In every issue we have : History Repeats Itself (Grace Kelly to Katherine Hepburn, what they brought to fashion and how to get their look, accompanied by the beautiful illustrations by Julia Kay), Fashion 101 (an informative article such as celebrity lines or the history of Chanel), Something old, Somthing new (entertainment classics worth revisiting, and fresh new movies, books and music to get into), We've Got Issues, Least you should Own, Least you should Know, Fashion Eye (review of a line and a celebrity style watch), Guys Guide (something guys want us to know), just to name a few. Our magazine was over 100 pages last issue.

*Jen*: How many people does it take to put together the average issue of Eliza?
Summer: From planning to distribution it takes on average 100 people!

*Jen*: What has been your best success so far?
Summer: It seems like success in the magazine industry is gradual, our latest was probably getting a big order from Barnes & Noble.

*Jen*: Do you foresee moving to monthly issues in the future?
Summer: I like the amount of work that goes into quarterly and I like the idea of each season with a new theme, it takes a little from the "buy buy buy" mentality in a lot of magazines. But I will never say never.

*Jen*: Has it been more or less work than you anticipated?
Summer: More, more, more. This was a project that I thought I would be able to do on the side, but it has taken over my life. Owning a magazine was never something I thought I would do, but I love it. It is so fun and rewarding. Having 20 years in the fashion industry between modeling and my fashion line has given me knowledge and experience that compliments being editor-in-chief of a magazine.

You can learn more and subscribe to Eliza at ElizaMagazine.com.

Style Profile: Jennifer Loch

2008-02-06T10:21:00.000-08:00

Here at *Jen* we'll be doing style profiles on different people, showing fashion from their own closets along with a short interview. We decided to start with an obvious choice-- Jennifer Loch, the founder of *Jen* Magazine.

Jennifer says "What I like changes from year-to-year of course as styles change, but I'm kind of an eccentric person, and my style has always been on the eccentric side as well. I get bored easily so I buy clothes that are fun for me to wear."

B&W Blouse by Mixit, JCPenny. Pants by Tripp NYC and Striped Shirt by NYC Boutique, Karmaloop.com. Bag and Hat by Tokidoki. Shoes by Royal Elastics.

"A hands-free purse is a must for me, and for the last couple of years I've used a small backpack-style purse. My current purse is this utility belt from Tokidoki for LeSportsac (above). It actually fits everything I need, and keeps me from carrying unnecessary stuff."

Tunic by Volcom, Pacsun. Leggings by Xhilaration, Target. Boots by Sugar, Endless.com. Red Paris Trench Coat Christa-Taylor.com. Zebra Vest (vintage) by iGirl.

"I like to buy clothes I can mix & match so I can create many outfits and I always look different. Lately I've been buying a lot of b&w and gray to mix with bold colors. I chose these outfits from those purchases, so the outfits are all interchangeable.

I shop from many of the modest clothing companies. They are great resources! I add other clothes and accessories to make it my style."

Striped Cap Sleeve Undershirt, Shade Clothing. T-Shirt by Paul Frank, and Arm Warmers by Burton, Karmaloop.com. Jeans by Obey, Urban Outfitters. Vest by Coffeeshop, Buckle. Socks, Journeys. Wildlife Preserve Shoes by BC, Shoes.com.

"I've always liked 'cute' Asian fashion. I'm 1/4 Japanese so it must be the Japanese in me. I love these bunny shoes (above)! They have a small wedge heel and can be worn anywhere. Besides being cute they're so comfy you think you're wearing actual bunny slippers."

Tokyo Tea Dress, Shabby Apple. Pants by Tripp NYC, and Necklace by NYC Boutique, Karmaloop.com. Hat and Scarf, Christa-Taylor.com. Stunner Ballet Flats by Keds, Endless.com. Coat by Sashimi, Nordstrom.

"Even though I really love fashion, when I'm at home I often wear my 'grubby' clothes. Those are the clothes that used to be my 'nice' clothes but are now worn out and old. Since I have a 1-year-old son, my clothes always get hit by food, drool, dirt, boogers and occasionally throw-up. I don't want my 'nice' clothes to get worn out from too many washings. When I go out I wear my nice clothes-- and they still look new because I spared them from the kiddo."

Vintage Turtleneck DownEast Basics. Short-Sleeve Hooded Top, Necklace and Earrings, Buckle. Skirt (vintage) by Wanted. Wait for No One Shoes in Silver by Seychelles, Zappos.com. Red tights, Foot Traffic. Flower Pin, Gap.

"I just turned 27, and most LDS women my age dress more conservatively, but fashion is a part of my personality that won't go away. I started *Jen* Magazine because I wanted a fashion magazine that featured styles I could actually wear."

Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley www.lynshelley.com.

Sub-Lime (Modest) Swimsuits

2008-02-06T00:16:00.000-08:00

Newsflash: Warm Weather is Around the Corner (Finally).
Get an eyeful of Lime with modest tankinis from Lime Ricki! Fun patterns and prints come together to create these unique swimsuits. Add a swim skirt to the mix for cute coverage. Broke? Looking for a deal? There are several on sale as well-- as low as $36.00 for a whole swimsuit. Just go to LimeRicki.com to see for yourself.

No, Really – It’s a Good Thing!

2007-12-21T11:53:00.000-08:00

By Rebecca Reichl
Sometimes modesty is just frustrating. Do you ever feel like you’re just never going to be able to get it right? Do you ever wish that you could just not have to struggle with it? Do you ever think, “You know, it would really be nice if for once I could just go to the store and buy an outfit like a normal person?”

Me too. For me, modesty is one of those practical virtues that is so pretty in the ideal. If, lying in bed at night, I were to do word associations for “modesty,” the list would be so inspiring. Femininity. Godliness. Grace. Beauty. Elegance. Confidence. Chastity. The list goes on. In my head, modesty is a sign of maturity, a sign of a girl who cares for others, a sign of self-respect and self-worth. In my head, modesty is an ideal, an admirable achievement of a lovely woman.

And then . . . I go shopping. Then, I have to get dressed for school. Then, I have to go to a wedding. Then, I get frustrated.

Modesty isn’t easy. And, while it doesn’t have to be drudgery, sometimes it seems like life would just be a whole lot easier if I could just erase my beliefs and start over again.

It’s at this point in my moment of self-pity that I need to slow down and take a minute to remember why modesty matters in the first place.

There’s a reason that I associate all those wonderful words with modesty - it’s because they’re all true! The girl who is modest is beautiful. She is elegant, confident, feminine. She respects herself, and she respects those around her.

The heart of the question is - who am I doing this for? It’s not for your parents, or for your church. Ultimately, it’s not even for the guys around us. Dressing modestly is our chance to let purity shine through. It’s our chance to be confident in our femininity, without degrading ourselves into an object. It’s an opportunity to display maturity and to uplift those around us by showing the loveliness of a tasteful woman.

The next time you’re getting dressed or going shopping and start getting frustrated, give yourself a little pep talk. Look your mirror in the eye and tell that disgruntled girl staring back at you that modesty is beautiful. Modesty is feminine. And so are you.

Fashion Review: Molly's Clothing

2007-11-23T01:02:00.000-08:00

By Jennifer Loch
Molly's Clothing recently launched a bunch of brand new clothing styles along with a new website, so I decided to do a review of their clothes. I got an Empire Dress, a Lace Capsleeve and a "Mini Molly" shirt from them. The clothes came rolled up in tissue paper and tied with a ribbon - cute. What I instantly noticed was that the fabric was much different than I had expected. I had read on their site that the tees were made from a "90% Nylon and 10% Spandex blend" but that didn't really mean anything to me. So I would describe it as being like swimsuit fabric, only not as tight-fitting. I like this fabric because it feels cool and silky and stays dry. I'm a sweat-er, so I like that it stays cool and dry. Also the fabric allows for really vibrant colors that you can't get with cotton (at least not after washing it). For instance, the red is a bright fire engine red that you don't often see.

I put on the capsleeve first and there were a few things I really loved about it -- first, the sleeves were very comfortable! I don't know if it's just me, but some of the capsleeve shirts out there really bother my armpits. They often feel uncomfortable and tight, so these comfortable sleeve openings were the first thing I noticed. The other thing I really loved was the length; long enough to cover but not too long! I've had some capsleeve shirts that were so long they went down to the middle of my thigh. I don't need that much length -- it just bunches up! As I wore this capsleeve the fabric was cool and comfortable as I mentioned, so I think these are going to be essential for the hot summer months if not year-round.

The dress was cute and comfy, made out of this same material. I wore it to church and all day after church as I cooked, played Mommy to my 1 1/2 yr. old, etc. The length was good (just past the knee) and not too short when I sat or bent down. It was nice not to have to worry about the length of my dress. I thought it would be a great maternity dress too, since it has an empire (under the bust) waistline and the rest of the dress is more loose-fitting. Also of course, it's nice and stretchy.

Last, I tried on the "Mini Molly". I'm a big fan of this one! It's a capsleeve tee that is cut off under the bust. These are made to be worn under a spaghetti-strap dress or a tank top. They give you the sleeves and chest-coverage you want without adding extra bulk and bunching that you don't need. I appreciate the fact that the hem under the bust on these shirts is elasticized to make sure it doesn't ride up. You can also wear one of these over a tank top or dress like a shrug. Wearing it on top gives you that cropped look. Alternatively, Molly's sells these with long sleeves, and they have a Mini Cami just for chest coverage. Another similar item they sell is the "Mini Midriff". It adds length at the bottom of your shirt without the bulk of wearing another shirt!

I've only talked about a few things but Molly's has many different styles of dresses, skirts, shirts -- even capris and accessories. See their new website and clothing line at PutSomethingOn.com and take advantage of their free shipping. Use the promotion code JENONLINE08 to get 15% off of any regular priced item until 12/31/08.

Fashion Heaven

2007-11-20T10:59:00.000-08:00

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

The Tuxedo Dress in Pearl Blue $34.99 - DownEast Basics. The Have a Ball slip in Ivory $24.00 - Vintage Hem (use the promo code "JENGET5" to get $5 off any Vintage Hem purchase). Pearls $14.99 - Kmart.

Pima Half Sleeve Turtleneck in Ice Blue $21.50 - Shade Clothing. Big Button Cropped Cardigan with Angora $22.50 - Wet Seal. Silk Charmeuse A-Line Skirt in Ivory $39.00 - Barrie Pace. Necklace $12.00 - Buckle.com. Scarf - model's own.

Turtleneck with Ruffles in Ivory $28.50 - Shade Clothing. Callie knit shirt with braiding $41.00 - Layers Clothing. J. Lindeberg Patti Stretch Denim jeans in Off White $87.00 - Revolve Clothing. Necklace - photographer's own.

Sequin Tank Top $16.50 and Cabled Cardigan $19.50 - Wet Seal. Satin Pleated Skirt in Frost $69.00 - Amazon.com Necklace & Earrings - stylist's own.

Trim Detailed Blouse $21.50 - Wet Seal. Blush Tiered Skirt $19.99 - Amazon.com. Necklace $12.00 - Buckle.com.

A little about the model: Chloe Lemmon is 17, is in high school and currently works as a waitress. She loves sushi and reading herself to sleep.

Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley www.lynshelley.com. Fashion styling by Jennifer Loch. Model: Chloe Lemmon. Studio thanks to Studio 600.

Military Musings

2007-10-22T17:33:00.000-07:00

When we decided to use military-inspired fashion as the theme for this photo shoot, we wanted it to bring to mind not physical war, but the spiritual battles we face every day.

DC Cover military hat- Amazon.com. Disney Couture earrings- Karmaloop.com. Capsleeve shirt and camisole- Modbe. Ammo vest- Army Navy Surplus Store. Military pants- Deseret Industries.

If you've ever played a game like laser tag or paintball, you know the feeling of being hunted. Well, sisters, we are being hunted (Revelation 12:17). Do we feel on guard the way we would feel if we were playing a war game? We should! We should get our guards up.

Volcom Scout Explore military hat- Amazon.com. Long Sleeve Button Up white shirt- Shade Clothing. Green shirt- Modbe. Necklace- Target. Ammo belt- Army Navy Surplus Store. Flirt Skirt- DownEast Basics. The Decoy camo slip Vintage Hem (use the promo code "JENGET5" to get $5 off any Vintage Hem purchase). Shoes- stylist's own.

The battle we are in is a battle for our souls. The world is a spiritual battle ground. It is especially a battle for the souls of the young! Satan's armies want to get us while we're young.

Jersey Tee in Pewter- Shade Clothing. Daytrip Paisley Top and BKE Beaded Necklace- Buckle.com. Bag- Army Navy Surplus Store. Jeans- model's own. Nau‏ghty Monkey Base Line shoes in Moss Zappos.com. Optional Vintage Helmet Liner cap- Army Navy Surplus Store.

The battle is also for our time, energy and interest. We must keep an eternal perspective.

Rosie the Riveter dress- Shabby Apple. Tie- Army Navy Surplus Store. Authentic WWII Gaiters- Ebay.com. Naughty Monkey Z Inside pumps Endless.com (overnight shipping is *negative* $5).

We can strengthen ourselves for this spiritual battle by staying close to the Lord through reading scriptures, praying, and getting rid of any negative influences. Stay strong, because we will win the battle! Don't allow yourself to be a casualty. -Jen

Here is a behind-the-scenes video we made for you!

A little about the model: Christina Crawford recently served an LDS mission to Spain. She is currently teaching 4th grade. Christina's favorite food is... meat!

Photography, hair and makeup by Lyn Shelley www.lynshelley.com. Fashion styling by Jennifer Loch. Model: Christina Crawford. Music in the video by Kevin MacLeod.

From Catwalk to Church Aisle

2007-09-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

By Brianne Ogden
For as long as I can remember, Church has been a fashion show of sorts. Whether it was trying to dazzle the Priests or outshine the other Laurels, when Sunday morning rolled around, clothes went flying.

Also, for as long as I can remember, Sunday mornings have been a frantic, frenzied, chaotic couple of hours. It was thirty minutes in the shower, shaving my legs to perfection. An hour in my closet, inevitably resulting in half of the contents on the floor in a colorful mound. Forty-five minutes spent on my hair, straightening it or pinning it until my forearms ached. Matching eye shadows, the perfect belt, a few rings, a brooch, and on those particularly rushed mornings, closed toed shoes to cover up chipped toenails. And that was just High School.

When I entered college, I found myself in a completely different playing field. Living in Huntington Beach, California for my first year, I found myself encompassed in a virtual Vogue fashion spread. My first week at church, girls were walking into the stake center like models off the catwalk.

Pencil pinstriped skirts with silk designer blouses. Authentic vintage dresses from the 50’s. Four inch heels, patent leather, bright red. Gucci, Fendi, Prada. Perfect nails to match the headband, perfect headband to match the shoes, perfect shoes to match the skirt. Every young college girl with stunningly coifed, beach bunny blond curls.

And there I was, in my pleated forty-dollar skirt from Nordstrom, the one that always got me a compliment or two back at home. Only here—it was my Schwinn ten-speed compared to their luxury private jet.

From then on, it was an hour in the shower. An hour and a half on my hair, plus the two hundred dollar dye job. It was two hours every Saturday night painting my nails, carefully inserting fake eyelashes, and ironing that Armani blouse, that had me in debt for a month, to perfection. It was fret and time spent on color coordinating every last detail.

This process was enormously draining. By the time I settled in my seat at church, I was so uncomfortable. Nothing felt natural. It was a constant battle. I had to sit in a way that my dress wouldn’t wrinkle, but in a way that showed my most flattering angle. I couldn’t move my head too much, it wasn’t worth it to risk messing up my painstakingly pinned up hair. Taking all that into consideration, bending over to pick up the hymnbook or my scriptures off of the ground was out of the question.

What was I getting out of church? Sadly, this was a question that never made it past all of the superficial, shallow worries in my mind.

I am older now. Sometimes I won’t shave my legs for a week. If my nails are chipped, I’ll deal. But there will be a Sunday here and there that if I can’t find a flawless article to wear, I feel like crawling back into bed and sleeping until my wardrobe transforms into something more satisfactory.

A couple of weeks ago while in England with some friends, I was getting ready for church when I realized that I packed absolutely nothing suitable for church. When really I had a few options, only none of them were appealing to me at the moment. It wasn’t until my friend said something to me, that my whole entire perspective on the situation did a one-eighty. She said, “Heavenly Father does not care how stylish you are.” Such a simple notion. Why had it taken twenty-four years for me to realize it?

As young single adults, living in a fashion-soaked generation, it often feels like looking cutting edge is the only thing that matters. Sometimes we give up what we want most, for what seems important to us at the time. I gave up years of my life to that superficial little devil on my shoulder.

I went to church that beautiful day in England. My dress was a little less than stylish, a little less than cute. But for the first time in my life, I cared about how my Heavenly Father saw me, and not how all of my peers saw me. I felt utterly content.

Brianne Ogden attends Southern Virginia University, where she is currently studying philosophy and serving as the Editor in Chief of the school's newsmagazine.

Dressing Modestly Isn’t Easy! Or Is It?

2007-09-19T19:12:00.000-07:00

By Jenna Kim Jones

Dressing immodestly has a lot more cons than you might think...

At times, dressing modestly can feel quite boring. And quite inhibiting. And irritating. Not to mention dumpy. And ugly. And... understand what I’m saying? How many sweaters can a girl own? How many extra long t-shirts and capris can a young woman stand to wear?

Dressing modestly can feel stifling but it doesn’t have to be. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier to dress immodestly. Stop. Before you ever slip into that kind of thought, I am here to prove mini skirt designers wrong. It may be hard to feel cute and hip in modest clothing, but dressing immodestly has a lot more cons than you might think.

Modest clothing can help girls avoid embarrassing situations.

I have several guy friends who have expressed their distaste for girls who wear low-ride pants. They have been forced to sit behind such girls in a classroom or at church or at a restaurant. A young woman guilty of this may wear pants that show her underwear and worse her lack of underwear and her, I can’t believe I’m typing this, plumber’s crack. Girls, we should NEVER have a plumber’s crack. That is reserved for overweight middle-aged men with large guts.

Low ride pants are just too low. But there is something much higher that I might argue is worse: the mini-mini skirt. I say mini-mini because I think mini skirts are actually shorter than they were a few years ago. I don’t have the body for mini-mini skirts like the ones from Abercrombie and Fitch so they have NEVER been a temptation but I’ve seen way too many mini skirts on girls who should not be wearing them. Heck, no one should wear them. Ever ride up an escalator behind a girl in a mini skirt? I feel sorry for you. The view isn’t very appetizing. Girls, don’t give free shows at the shopping mall. Put on a skirt longer than the length of my hand. Please? It’s just embarrassing.

This last embarrassing experience with immodest clothing didn’t happen to me but it was so mortifying, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the girl. She was at a pool party with her friends. They were having a cannon ball competition and whoever could make the biggest splash was proclaimed the winner. This poor girl was the last to jump in. She did more than make a big splash. After landing in the water, her swimsuit top was the first to reach the surface. She covered herself as much as she could, grabbed her suit, and ran inside but only after everyone had seen more than they ever should. Had she been wearing a more modest swimsuit, she could have avoided this situation. Moral of the story? Don’t do a cannon ball in a bikini? NO! Don’t wear bikinis. They don’t stay put and most of them look trashy. Consider yourself warned.

Many immodest tops and dresses require girls to go braless.

Do you know how important bras are? Now I know that there are bras with crazy straps or no straps and cups that you tape or glue on but those bras usually don’t give you the support you need. And without that much needed support, can you spell S-A-G-G-Y? Bras can be incredibly uncomfortable. That is why is it important to invest in quality, well-fitted bras. Get measured and spend a few extra dollars. It is worth it.

It is simple girls; wear clothes that require a bra.

The more skin you show, the bigger you look.

Clothes are flattering. Clothes hide parts of the body that shouldn’t be exposed. Too few clothes, unless you are a size nothing, can make you look…fat. I said it and I’m sticking to it. Come on girls, we don’t want to look fat. We want to look like we fit into our clothes. Immodest clothing often makes a girl look like she might be exploding out of them. Clothes can and should make a statement. But large and in charge is probably not the impression a young woman would like to make.

Unfortunately, the role models for young women are celebrities who spend the majority of their lives working on their bodies. They have time and money, plastic surgeons and eating disorders. Because they are negative sizes, they look a little better in shorts and a halter than say, the average size 8 American girl.

Remember, the more you wear, the skinnier you look. Unless of course you are wearing giant sweatpants and sweatshirts. In that case you just need a little fashion 911.

Ever heard the phrase, “you are what you eat?”

Unfortunately, the same goes with clothing. You are what you wear. Or at least, people might assume you are what you wear because we are all guilty of, and I’m about to use another cliché, judging a book by its cover. The clothing a young woman wears leaves a lasting impression on the people who have to look at her. This is especially true in terms of guys. It is hard for a nice young man to respect a sweet young girl who is wearing a tube top and mini-mini skirt. She could be the nicest thing but her clothes tell a different story.

And really girls, should we be putting those kinds of thoughts into a young man’s brain? I don’t think so!

Don’t be a victim of immodest clothing.

Do you see my point? Dressing modestly seems a little easier now, don’t you think? Immodest fashion is bad news. It isn’t easier to wear unless you like to show your stuff, starvation diets, and mean judgments thrust upon you. If you want to live life like that, you need more than a makeover. You need therapy!

Free Fashion Show in Salt Lake City

2007-08-23T19:46:00.000-07:00

*Jen* Magazine is a sponsor of this modest fashion show and Jen herself will be there. We hope you can make it too!

The show is being organized by Erin Olson, who traveled all over the world for nine years as an international model. Erin has seen first hand the devastating effects poor media examples have on girls. She states, "my desire is to help girls realize that the key to true style is developing your own style, and you won’t find that in a magazine or on TV, it begins with a sense of who you are and with your own self-confidence."

For this reason Erin started the Haute & Prim Style Camp—to help girls gain a sense of who they are first, and then develop their own sense of style. Through her camp, teens will find the link between the insider modeling secrets of the glossy magazine cover and the halls of their own school, and they will walk those halls with a brand new step straight from the catwalk, full of the poise and confidence that turns heads. The Haute & Prim Style Camp will kick off with a free fashion show at 1pm on September 8th, 2007 at Studio 600 in Salt Lake City.

For directions and more information visit www.hauteandprim.com.

The Perfect (or at least improved) Pool Party Experience

2007-06-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

By Jenna Kim Jones

Swimsuit options, cover up ideas, the pros and cons of waterproof makeup, what to do with wet hair, and party tips for the perfect pool party.

It’s officially summer and with summer comes the highly anticipated and often times mortifying pool party experience. I expressed my distaste for this unfortunate season in the following poem:

What to Wear to a Pool Party

Grandma says,
wear a one piece with
a reasonably high neckline
but throw on an oversized
t-shirt and shorts to the knee
after lathering up
with 45 SPF sunscreen.

Elle says,
three triangle shaped
patches of fabric,
a couple pieces of string,
maybe some glue,
grapefruits and water,
6,000 lunges, and you and the pool boy
might score more than
a few points in water volleyball.

European Elle says,
Swimsuit? What’s the point?

I say,
I think I’ll skip the pool this summer.

Ok, so truth be told, I LOVE the pool and I DON’T want to skip out on a pool party just because I’m embarrassed about wearing a swimsuit. But at the same time, where is the happy medium, especially in terms of modesty, when it comes to dressing for a pool party? How can a young woman feel comfortable and dress modestly at the pool? After a little research, I’ve come up with some swimsuit options, cover up ideas, the pros and cons of waterproof makeup, what to do with wet hair, and a few party tips for the perfect or at least improved pool party experience.

Swimsuits

Swimsuits are an investment and often a pricey investment. Usually one or two suits are all our wardrobes allow because they can be expensive and because it’s hard to find a suit that works with your body type. The first two things I suggest when looking for a swimsuit are:

1. Be willing to look anywhere and everywhere, including the Internet. There are a lot of options online. If you are too young to shop online and you don’t have a credit card, perhaps explain to your parents that you are looking for an affordable modest swimsuit and maybe they will be more excited to help you in your quest.

2. Be willing to take chances. You never know where your search may take you. I have a one-piece Speedo swimsuit from Costco that I LOVE and it was only $19.99.

With that in mind, what makes a modest swimsuit? Well that’s up to the wearer. In my opinion, I can tell you what a modest swimsuit isn’t. It isn’t a bikini. Dressing at the pool is obviously completely different than dressing in everyday attire so the rules of modesty are slightly redefined. Sometimes it is easy to justify wearing immodest swimwear, because one-piece swimsuits and modest tankinis are hard to find. It’s true that there are not as many options in the mainstream fashion world when it comes to one-piece swimsuits but it is possible to find at least one that you might like.

Target has a great selection of swimsuits in stores and online at www.target.com. There are actually more options online but again if you don’t have that resource, the store is also a good place to look. On their website they have dozens of one-piece options and right now most of them are $29.99 or less.

Gap has a small but incredibly fashionable selection of one-piece swimsuits all on sale right now at www.gap.com. They have two or three animal print one-piece halter swimsuits that are feminine and flattering. A halter one-piece is an attractive look for a young woman because it highlights your collarbones and makes your shoulders appear less broad. Also, the patterns and prints are a fresh take on the standard solid swimsuit. Look for swimwear under GapBody.

www.diviinemodestee.com is a GREAT website for modest and affordable swimwear. They have an amazing selection and if that isn’t enough, you can design your own perfect swimsuit. Use the promo code "jenswim2008" to get 10% off your swimwear purchase.

Remember, be willing to look and take chances. Try on different styles. Take a look at your body and decide what would be the most flattering fit for you. Also, most swimsuits run small so don’t be discouraged if you wear a size bigger in your suit. Don’t squeeze yourself into a swimsuit because once it is wet, it will hug every curve. Lastly, take extra care of your swimsuit by washing it out afterwards and hanging it to dry. The chlorine can eat away at your swimsuit after a while leaving it sheer and misshapen. Swimsuits are an investment and should last the whole season.

With all this in mind, swimsuits shouldn’t scare you away from the pool this summer.

Swimsuit Cover-Ups

I generally wear swim shorts with my swimsuits but that is just a personal preference. Swim shorts are easy to find these days. Roxy, Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart, Gap, American Eagle, almost every store carries one or two styles of shorts that look great over almost any swimsuit.

Here are a couple ideas of what to wear over your swimsuit. Light and colorful dresses are a great way to stay covered when you aren’t in the water. Yellow is very in this season and makes you look especially summery. Since long shirt-dresses and tights are the rage for young women these days, why not take a long shirt-dress and wear is over your swimsuit, minus the tights. Another swimsuit cover up option is to take an oversized button up collar shirt, maybe one of your dad’s or your brother’s and throw it on over a swimsuit. (Make sure he doesn’t want it anymore.) Just button one or two of the buttons and roll the sleeves up a bit and you have an original swimsuit cover-up that is totally stylish.

Waterproof Makeup and Wet Hair

At a pool party, it’s hard to decide whether or not you should wear makeup. Waterproof makeup is always an option. Almost every brand of makeup carries waterproof mascara, foundation, eye shadow, blush, and even lip-gloss. Water resistant doesn’t mean waterproof so if you have makeup that is water resistant, it may still run in the pool. If you really want to wear waterproof mascara or any other form of waterproof makeup in the pool, you also need to be willing to purchase make up remover. Clinique has two different makeup removers, one specifically for eyes and one for all kinds of makeup. They are called, “Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes, and Lips,” and “Rinse-Off Eye Makeup Solvent.” (They run at about $16.50 and $14.50 a bottle.)

It’s important to buy this product or some product like it otherwise your makeup won’t ever fully come off. Your eye lashes will become dry and are more likely to fall out and your pores will become clogged and create zits and other skin irritations.

After you are finished swimming and your hair is all wet, make sure you have a comb, not a brush, and some kind of clip, not an elastic. And if you can, rinse your hair out. Brushes have a tendency to break off the ends or your hair when it’s wet. Elastics can rip out your wet hair and also cause further tangling. If your hair is dyed or very blonde, it’s also important to rinse off the chlorine as soon as possible as it could affect your color or leave your hair with a slight tint of green.

I personally don’t wear any makeup when I go to the pool except maybe some lip-gloss and really most girls don’t even need that. The natural look is a beautiful look, especially when you are wearing a cute swimsuit and cover up!

Pool Party Snacks

What’s a pool party without snacks? I know what you are thinking. You shouldn’t eat and swim right away but I figure that everybody knows that rule and will take precaution before they eat and swim.

If you want to feel like a kid again, here is a stress-free and fun poolside snack menu:

Bite size PB & J Sandwiches-This couldn’t be simpler. Just use your favorite bread, peanut butter and jam to make the sandwich. Then cut them into small triangles or little squares.

Carrot sticks—If you really want to make this feel like the good ol’ days, don’t just buy the mini carrots in the store. Buy the actual carrot and peel and cut it into sticks.

Grapes—Buy a big bunch of grapes and cut it into individual sized bunches. People will love the option of fruit.

Baked Lays—These are a nice alternative to regular potato chips because they are quite a big healthier. They come in all kinds of flavors and won’t leave grease marks on your bathing suit.

Otter pops—What is summer without otter pops? If you have a small cooler, fill it with ice and frozen otter pops for everyone to enjoy.

Rice Krispie Treats—A perfect dessert because they aren’t too heavy but satisfy any sweet craving. The recipe is located on every box of Rice Krispies.

Now that you know what to wear and what to eat, it’s time for you to throw your own pool party. If you don’t have a pool and you know of a neighborhood pool you can use, check their regulations and see if you can have a party there. If you don’t have access to a pool, pull out the old slip and slide, a couple of water balloons, and throw the party at a park or in your own backyard!

Be confident in whatever you are wearing. With your modest swimsuit and cover up, you won’t have to skip out on a party. Make swimsuit season your favorite season!

Hot 'N Modest Dresses

2007-06-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Summertime brings family fun, relaxation and... skin-bearing fashion. It can be difficult to find a modest summer dress at a time when most dresses are spaghetti-strap on the top and too short on the bottom.

Just on the scene: Hot 'N Modest, a new place to find modest dresses that opened on June 1st '07. Dress prices range between $49 and $69. Visit them at hotnmodest.com. Use the special coupon code "JEN" to get a 10% discount on your first purchase!

Modest Shorts that Look Good

2007-03-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Loch
Now that the weather's getting warm, it's time to start looking for shorts. Modest shorts are one of the hardest things to find. Here at *Jen* Magazine we look for modest shorts every spring to add to our "Fashion Finds" but it is hard to find cute shorts that are both long and not too tight or low on the hips.

We've never linked to the clothing company KneeShorts on this site because *Jen* Magazine is mainly for younger people... and when we thought of KneeShorts we imagined old-lady shorts and stuff we would never wear. But when I visited their store the other day I was surprised to see they sell styles for young people that I really like, in fact there are several I want to buy.

Do you ever find shorts that you really like but you wish they were a little longer or a little higher on the waist? Well that's how the KneeShorts people come up with their products. I talked to the owner and he told me they start with a popular style and create almost the same shorts except for one or two changes to make them modest. They have their clothing manufactured to their specifications, which means KneeShorts is the only place where you can get these items.

KneeShorts has four different styles of board shorts in a variety of colors. All of the board shorts can be worn alone as shorts or over a swimsuit. They're made from a quick-drying fabric that you can swim in. I got a pair and they're soft and comfortable.

Their newest board shorts are these plaid ones (see right) that look like skater shorts. These come in light brown or dark brown and have a flower embroidered on them.

The KneeShorts prices are great. Most of the shorts I saw were $20 and they have swimsuits for $40. I don't think they over-price their products like some modest brands do.

Besides board shorts they have several styles of cargo shorts and zip-off pants that turn into shorts.

KneeShorts just came out with their first swimsuit. It features a long racer-back tank top and a swim-short bottom with a built-in panty. Forgive me for being blunt, but if I don't say this maybe no one will... so I have to say I think if you have to shave "down there" in order to wear a swimsuit them that swimsuit is probably not modest on the bottom. Every time I wear a swimsuit I bought from a regular (non-modesty centered) store I keep thinking "This swimsuit must have been designed by a man or designed just for looks because it doesn't fit right, and it's not comfortable to wear." When I'm swimming I want to have fun and get exercise. I don't want to have to pull and tug on my swimsuit every 30 seconds to keep myself covered. So I like swim shorts because they make me feel like a kid again- having fun in a swimsuit without worrying about how I look. Then I think "What about getting a tan? Don't I want to take off my shorts to get a better tan?" But I realize "Why do I care about getting a tan in places I'm not going to show?"

If you find yourself lacking cute modest shorts this year check into KneeShorts. They have several retail locations and you can also shop online at KneeShorts.com.

'07 Spring Runway Fashion—Done Modestly

2007-03-21T22:38:00.000-07:00

By Melissa Lambert
Many of the biggest designers in fashion have already held fashion shows to promote their spring fashion lines. For most of us, high fashion clothes are out of our price range. And for people dedicated to wearing modest clothes, some of the fashions don’t quite meet their standards. But with a little bit of creativity and adaptability, it is possible to re-create runway fashion with clothes that are easy to find, inexpensive, and modest.

In this year’s spring lines, many of the designers used layers to create their looks. You probably have clothes in your closet already that you can creatively layer to reproduce some of the looks found on the runway this spring. Here, Shannon, Olivia and Kelsey show a few different ways that you can layer shirts to create different looks.

This year, the Versace models were wearing white and black solids with splashes of bright yellow or pale pink, using jackets, purses and shoes to add splashes of color to their simple solid-colored outfits. Kelsey adapts this look by wearing all black with a pink purse. The color adds a bit of kick to an otherwise simple outfit. Light pink shoes or a bright yellow scarf would have the same effect.

The Philosophy spring line featured a variety of dresses with wide belts. Wide belts can make simple dresses look funky and stylish. Olivia shows off this look by using a belt in one of the hot colors of the season (a bold red).

The Louis Vuitton models were wearing a number of different fashions this year. Short flouncy skirts were a hot item on their runway, as were skinny belts worn up around the waist. Here, Shannon wears a flouncy skirt that reaches her knees and keeps her modest. These skirts are very adaptable and can be made casual or formal depending on what top you pair with them.

The Vera Wang spring fashions emphasized layering. Models wore leggings under dresses and skirts, and layered shirts. This style is one of the best ways for you to be stylish and still modest. With just a few pair of leggings and long modest shirts, you can create any number of comfortable and fashionable combinations. Here, Olivia pairs capri-length leggings with a denim skirt and two layered shirts.

Spring fashion on the Fendi runway reflected a trend seen in other lines as well: Black dresses paired with hot pink handbags. Simple black outfits with bright splashes of color are huge for spring. Another Fendi trend was the pairing of silver and black. Shannon shows one way to wear this trend by combining a black dress with a silver belt, shoes and necklace.

In the Prada fashion line, bright color was all the rage. Shiny reds and purples were combined in many of the outfits. Many of the models also wore head kerchiefs. Here, Olivia wears a brightly-colored kerchief to match her red and black shirts. (To get this look, use a large bright scarf. Fold it into a triangle, then place the long side of the triangle on your forehead. Bring the two ends back and tie them in a knot at the nape of your neck. Scarves can decorate your head in many different ways; be creative with different ways of tying them and see what you can come up with!)

Many of the Giorgio Armani models this spring sported the safari look, wearing exotic animal prints. (Others showed off a very different look, but one similar to the other fashion lines: Black tailored jackets with splashes of hot pink t-shirts and scarves.) In this picture, Kelsey shows off a modest cheetah-print shirt with a matching headband and wooden bracelet. Safari prints are easy to find and can be paired easily with neutral colors and jeans.

For all of the lines, big jewelry is the style this spring. Big necklaces, chunky bracelets, huge broaches and dangly earrings are the perfect complement to the popular styles. You can really rise to meet the trends by wearing big jewelry in one of the popular accent colors of the season (like bright red, shiny purple, pale pink, bright yellow, or hot pink) and pairing it with simple, classic outfits. Whether the jewelry is funky or classic-looking (like in the picture), it is an important part of completing the fashionable look you’re trying to achieve.

(Pictures from the spring line runways can be found at www.fashionshowroom.com).