.

As modeled by Penelope Cruz from Mango Shop.

If you don’t understand the current American economic meltdown or why there is a movement to “kill the [bailout] bill,” this is an excellent video that explains what in the hot, crispy heck is going on:

The Layers Clothing fall fashion line has officially arrived.

LC will be having an anniversary sale beginning Sept 22nd, 20% of all regular priced merchandise with the code “ANNIVERSARY.”

Eliza Magazine is one that features fashion forward modest clothing and feature stories of substance. I highly recommend you get a subscription. The latest issue is on stands now.

Photos from past issues:

 
Also, I just discovered LivingModest.com last night. It’s a great directory of links with the editor’s picks and featured designers on the main site.

So adorable.

Shirt ~ UO $48
Jeans ~ UO $29.99
Belt ~ Alloy, $16.50
Sandals ~ U0 $24.99

Just so I could get free stuff! As a blogger people do send me products to review, but never clothes!

2008 Emmy Style Lounge

Jaime King

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Maria Menounos

Shannon Elizabeth

Emmy Rossum

Official Modestia Chick Ali Landry

Her face says it all. I like free stuff too Ali. LOL.

Katherine Heigel

Jessica Simpson

Rihanna…I want that bag!

Jennifer Lopez

Julia Roberts

Reese Witherspoon

Eva Mendes

From one of my favorite periodicals Clutch Mag:

Far from your Granny’s ratty old “party dresses”, these days going vintage is a test of style authentication. Can you pull off that blast from the fashion past and make it look effortlessly fabulous and timeless? Want to get your hands on something historically chic but don’t know where to start, look, or how to buy?

Technically defined as an item at least 20 years old, in fashion the term vintage is commonly used to refer to the most exceptional of pieces designed between the 1920’s and the mid 1980’s. So expect your vintage piece to be a fashion investment. Not to be confused with thrift store bargain hunting, shopping for a great vintage item can actually run a bit costly. Vintage pieces are usually top quality in fabrics and detailing and have been well restored and cared for. Although you shouldn’t expect mint condition, save yourself headache by taking into consideration the color, fabric, zipper, buttons and added special detailing before making that purchase. Will it be almost impossible to replace or find? Keep in mind these are rare finds so spending a lot on a nice-looking piece that needs work may be worth reconsidering if you plan on getting a few wears out of it. Quality and integrity should be your first priority.

Industry sizing standards are constantly changing and have come a long way over the last 20 years. As a result, the most common tip you’ll hear in vintage shopping is size matters! Shopping online? Be sure to have the exact measurements for yourself and the piece you’re interested in buying. As these pieces can be hard to have altered or repaired you want to make sure you’ve found the piece that’s perfectly fitted for your body.

Now what do I look for?

Finding the perfect item is half the battle! Cleaning and maintaining are next on the checklist. You’ll want to take great care of your piece to retain the fabric and more importantly the character. As it may be hard to find or read care labels in much older pieces your best bet for washing cotton would be to use a mild detergent and lowest drying temperature. Wash delicates like rayon, silk and lace by hand in cold water and air dry. Vintage Guild experts suggest using unscented padded hangers, avoiding light, smoke and animal hair when storing your piece.

But, before you head out to that fancy vintage boutique you’d be surprised to find the season’s hottest trends already stashed in the back of your Mom’s or even your own closets. As goes for history, fashion trends inevitably repeat themselves.

I keep seeing this trend everywhere.

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find too many modest options, but check out some of these:

From Tadashi

From Eshakti:

From Kosher Clothing:

I am currently compiling a gallery of photos of Sarah Palin’s fashion choices on the campaign trail, but for now I turn your attention to some photos from a McCain/Palin rally a few days ago.

An adorable toddler with Down Syndrome and her family were able to meet John McCain and Sarah Palin. This was done privately, not in front of the entire rally so that everyone could see what “nice people” McCain and Palin are:

It’s okay to get misty-eyed. You can see more photos and read the story behind the photos here.

Serena Williams looks very happy in this photo, and she should be happy as she just won her third US Open championship!

If you like Serena’s dress she wore to a Carolina Herrera fashion show a few days ago, then check out this dress from Shabby Apple:

Former America’s Next Top Model contestant Leah Darrow is being featured in the Sept./Oct. issue of Faith and Family Magazine:

Excerpts from the article:

After being eliminated from the show in 2005, she received contract offers from top modeling companies such as Ford and Elite Modeling, but the conditions of the contracts were troublesome. She decided not to sign a contract, and instead went independent. Soon she had many offers.

Yet something else was going on in her soul. She was feeling a weight of sorrow. There were relationships and other elements of her life that were not right. There was a value being given to her body that seemed to make her soul worthless and irrelevant.

On her conversion experience:

And his help came in an unforgettable way. “One day I found myself in the midst of a high-powered photoshoot,” she says, “where the outfit I was modeling was anything but modest.
“I had to sit there and think about the responsibility I had, as a model, to myself, my family, the world, and most importantly to God.”

As the photographer snapped picture after picture, her mind was racing. “What if this is my last moment on earth?” she thought. “What if my life ends right here and now? This is what I would be holding in my hands as I faced God.”

On her style icons:

I have three fashion inspirations,”

1. The Blessed Mother. “She is the purest definition of a woman of grace and dignity.”

2. Audrey Hepburn. “She always kept an image of modesty with her clothing, never less than respectable.”

3. Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis. “Jackie’s style has never gone out of style.”

What she’s doing now:

Pure Fashion is an international faith-based program affiliated with Regnum Christi and the Legionaries of Christ designed for girls ages 14 to 18. It helps young women discover their deepest beauty: that of being images of God’s love. It affirms their innate value and authentic femininity.

This year, Leah helped to put together the first St. Louis Pure Fashion team.

The VMA’s were at an all-time lame this year, but there were some rather cute fashions:

Pre-VMA’s Party 

Actress Elise Neal & Singer Estelle

Singer/Actress Janet Jackson

Singer Rihanna with Rapper TI

Olympus Fashion Week

Actress Sanaa Lathan

Actress Zoe Saldana

J to-the-L-O-Hello, lol

Gossip Girl Actress Nicolle Fiscella…I can’t stand the show but I like her clutch.

Actress Paula Patton

And speaking of events, I will be attending the Angelus Student Film Festival this weekend, and I am sure I will have a variety of pics to share from that.

As I have just added a category for places to find quality chapel veils, I thought I’d explore the subject.

From 4Marks.com:

When a woman covers her head in the Catholic Church it symbolizes her dignity and humility before God, not men. It is no surprise women of today have so easily abandoned the tradition of the chapel veil (head covering) when the two greatest meanings of the veil are purity and humility.

I never thought about wearing a veil until about a year ago. I wear one occasionally to adoration, but I have never covered my hair during mass. I’d like to, but it feels like it’d be more of a distraction to others than anything else. But there is still one shred of reason that moves me:

Those women who love Jesus must come to realize the imitation of His Mother in wearing a chapel veil (head covering) and in other virtues is a small sacrifice to make in order to grow in spiritual understanding of purity, humility and love.

Veiling is a sacrifice. So I ask, do you where the veil?

And my oh my are they lucky.

At all the new links!

There are links for exclusively Catholic apparel, good sites to get chapel veils, as well as a brand spankin’ new bridal wear category. I will be making a post about bridal wear in the coming days, but for now occupy yourself by looking at all of the sites with beautiful modest clothes!

And as always, if you want to suggest a site, article, etc. be my guest.

Happy shopping ladies, Rebecca.

I’ve never been one to rock the huge [insert exotic dead animal]-skin bag, but I will admit I’m starting to get into this trend. The truth is that a wild bag or other said accessory can make a plain outfit well…not. I needed an overnight bag to take with me on a few small trips over this past summer, and I wanted to buy something semi-fashionable, and so I splurged for a giraffe print leather bag.

If you like animal prints, but don’t want something huge, opt for a belt or shoes. If you don’t go for animal prints at all, consider ethnic inspired accessories in whatever color palette fits your wardrobe.