Those of you who know me, know that I hate leggings (in any form). You also know that by me just saying, "I hate leggings," I'm making the understatement of the year. I have many reasons for this disdain, but I won't go into extensive detail. My biggest qualm is the modesty factor...they aren't. I also know that I'm not the only one that feels this way about leggings. More feel that they're fine, and even cute, if they're worn correctly. I don't mind them in this case, I just wouldn't choose that style myself; I think it looks tacky. Anyway...many of you may be thinking, "Uh...how are leggings not modest? You're completely covered!" I beg to differ. Here's why...In the LDS For the Strength of Youth pamphlet (which doesn't just apply to youth), it states that "immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner" (emphasis added).
-- My conclusion? Covered does NOT equal modest!! --
Ok, so you're probably thinking, "what on earth does this have to do with the media?" So, as stated in my personal description box, I'm a student at BYU. Here, this post has a lot to do with the media; or at least the recent lack thereof... One or two semesters ago, there was an ad all over campus encouraging women to wear leggings correctly if they chose to wear them. It simply states, "To the Knees Please: Leggings are NOT pants." Leggings aren't against the honor code (a list of rules and guidelines every student signs upon becoming a student at BYU) in and of themselves, don't get me wrong! It just becomes a different story when they try to pass as pants or a way to make those short-shorts or mini skirt modest. Here's where the big media info comes in: In preparing for this post, I couldn't find this ad anywhere!! Now, since it's on the post, I obviously found it at one point, but it took over two weeks! It was also a huge stroke of luck in that I'm almost never in the building I found it in. I thought this to be odd since BYU is usually pretty strict about the honor code. I find it unfair that a man will get turned away from the testing center if he's not completely clean shaven, but a girl wearing leggings as pants is welcomed in with open arms (as welcoming as the testing center can be...ha ha). I don't know about you, but a guy with a 5 o'clock shadow is quite the minor offense compared to a girl that looks like she painted her legs whatever color she felt like that day. Not to mention the fact that most leggings are see-through. I've seen more than my share of butts and panties on campus, thank you very much! It was so easy to find the sideburn and beard ad, while it took me over two weeks to find the leggings ad. I really hope I'm not the only one that sees a problem with this...
Without getting up too high on my soapbox, I'll just say that I know modestly is an extremely important principle to live by. Lots of people may not think it is...but it is. :) SO...C'mon BYU! Get into gear and take care of the issues that are more important than a guy's beard...which is all of them!! I don't want this post to be directed only at BYU though. I also want to encourage everyone everywhere to think twice next time you or a friend is deciding what to were. Outside of a marriage relationship, nobody wants to see your butt. If they do, they're probably not the kind of person you should be associating with. You may think your new lacey panties are cute, but we don't. In conclusion, I'd like to share one more picture I found in my search for the BYU/SA ad. I find it kind of ironic since people wear leggings in every way nowadays...and that none of the "proper" ways shown on this ad are modest. *sigh* Silly world we live in, yes?
Remember, it's the little things in life!
Lindsey
