I just have to say this up front so I can get it off my chest. There is no way that denim shorts – so short and tight that they are digging into your body – can be comfortable. I don’t care how cute girls think they look, there is just no way.
I wish there was a nice, discreet, graceful way to go about this topic, but there isn’t. This is one of those topics that I have to be real and honest about.
The summer months are coming at us in hot and boiling waves.
The sweaty skin, the sticky feeling, the greasy hair and the humidity is headed our way. For some reason we, as girls, take those “summer signs” as our clue to begin undressing.
“It’s so hot outside! I guess that’s my cue to pull out my tiny crop top and mini denim shorts.” – Hot and Sweaty Summer Girl
As Christian girls who are called by God to a standard of modesty (1 Timothy 2:8-10) and purity…what are we thinking when we put on these underwear-like shorts? We as christian girls should understand these things:
We should understand modesty.
We should understand the meaning of clothing.
We should understand that our purpose is to point others to Christ.
We should understand that life isn’t all about us.
We should understand that our goal is to become more and more like Christ.
We have to live by a higher standard.
We can’t blindly follow the culture and wear whatever they wear. We must be “imitators of Christ” not “imitators of the culture” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
I’m challenging each and every one of you to take a step back and rethink the short shorts trend (or the “denim underwear trend”). Just because they’re “in” doesn’t make them right. Just because a celebrity wears them, doesn’t make them cute. Just because everyone is doing it, doesn’t make it a smart choice.
I was recently talking with a mature Christian girl about the ultra-mini shorts trend and she said, “It’s super sick. It’s just booty hanging out. It’s gross.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The summer months aren’t even officially here and I’ve already seen my fair share of “denim underwear.” I personally don’t want to see your backside and I don’t want you seeing mine either.
It’s time for us to rethink modesty and rethink the short shorts trend. I think it’s time for us to take a step back and ask ourselves some important questions.
1. Why do I want to wear these super short shorts?
When you put on your super short shorts, what goes through your mind? Many of us, if we’re truly honest with ourselves, wear super short shorts (or other immodest clothing) out of a desire to draw attention to ourselves and make ourselves feel better. I want you to rethink your summer wardrobe and make sure that your heart desires to honor God with your clothing choices.
2. What are you hoping this look will accomplish?
When you purchased those mini shorts (or plan to purchase them in the future) what were you hoping to accomplish by wearing them? If your shorts are so short that they could be classified as “denim underwear” maybe you should take a step back and evaluate your heart motives.
3. What will the person behind you see?
Please, please, please stop to seriously consider this question. For the sake of everyone behind you, take a look in the mirror before you leave the house and see what the person behind you will see. Consider the guys (and girls for that matter) and take their eyes and minds into consideration.
4. What do you see when you turn around?
This question is for you. When you turn around, what do you see? Do you like what you see? If so, why do you like it? Take a good long look at what’s being exposed before you walk out the door and ask yourself if your backside is displaying a modest and pure look.
5. Will this draw eyes to your face or to your rear?
Gals – please seriously consider this question. When you walk out the door, what will the eyes of those around you be drawn towards? Will they be drawn towards your smiling face or to your backside? As Christians our job is to reflect Christ and point others towards Him. Make sure you aren’t being a distraction from that purpose.
If you have any desire to dig into this topic further, I highly encourage you to grab a copy of our brand new book, Girl Defined: God’s Radical Design for Beauty, Femininity and Identity. Kristen and I dig deeper into topics like this and show you how to practically honor God with your life as a girl.
I’d love to hear from you now.
Have you noticed the “denim underwear” trend?
What are you thoughts on this trend?
