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A reader asks:

What do you need to wear to visit the vatican? I was hoping maybe you could give me a few hints as to what I should be looking for and what to avoid?

This question is actually quite timely because I have a few girlfriends that will be traveling to the Vatican on vacation in a few weeks.

It’s hot and humid in Rome, so stay away (and by away I mean far, far, away) from polyester fabrics. Cotton is your BFF in these summer months.

And of course, since it’s the Vatican, our heavenly city on earth, you want to look modest and adorable at all times—especially since you will be in churches and there will be wonderful Catholic men from around the world around you at all times. I’m just sayin…

If you are going to wear a tank top, I would highly recommend bringing some light wraps, vests, and jackets to throw on top of your outfits whenever you enter a house of worship. Some churches/establishments will not allow women to enter if their shoulders are uncovered. The same goes for skirts and shorts—it’s best not to go above your knees.

Some outfit ideas:

Basically, my recommendations are light tops, cotton skirts and dresses, bermuda shorts, sandals, and comfy flats.

For bags, I would recommend smaller cross-body bags with long straps that can carry the essentials. This Poquito Leather Pouch Purse from Lulu’s is right up my alley:

Hope that helps.  Have fun in Rome!

A commenter asks:

Are all strapless dresses immodest?
 

Older readers will know that when it comes to modesty standards, I am all about discernment. I’ve never published a list of rules because you’re not stupid and I don’t like the idea of telling people what to wear as if I’m some sort of authority. On to my answer—

I wear strapless dresses/tops—not very often and usually only in the summer—if they meet a few non-negotiable requirements:

1. Do not show my cleavage neither when I’m upright nor bent over.
2. Do not have to be pulled up every 9.456 seconds.
3. Are not cut low in the back.

Case in point—this dress worn by the lovely Melissa Joan Heart:

As we can see, the structure of the garment is designed in such a way that it stays in place with ease, even with two squirmy little boys on her hips.

I’m wearing a strapless top in my Facebook profile picture, but what you may not have noticed is that I’m wearing what I call a “band bra” which is an absolute staple in my wardrobe. It’s basically a short tube top I have in multiple colors that covers up my cleavage, and it works perfectly for strapless tops and dresses.

Another tip for strapless garments is to wear necklaces and your hair down. You can even put tank tops or other shirts underneath the strapless top/dress for added style.

Hope that helps!

Angela S. asks:

Are you going to the Catholic New Media Celebration this year?

If you don’t know what the CNMC is, it’s the media conference hosted by SQPN, my favorite Catholic media production company. They hosted the first ever CNMC last year, which I attended as a guest.

I was planning on attending this year’s conference to be held in San Antonio, Texas, however I have filming dates scheduled that week. I might be able to finesse my schedule somehow, but it looks like I will not be able to make it this year.

Sorry Angela!

Hi Rebecca,

…I think your blog is FANTASTIC. You have an excellent layout and your writing is both conversational and intellectual-I just love it! I especially appreciate the celeb postings, b/c I am a little bit of a celeb fashion/news junkie

One thing I did want to mention is that in the post on Adriana Lima for Vogue I think she may have been wearing real fur-I totally realize that the point of the post was the modesty but I’m really anti-fur so I just had to mention that I think it’d be very cool if the fur fashions you post in the future are faux.

Oooh and I just adore all of the wedding gowns! I have absolutely no plans to get married anytime soon but it is just so much fun to look at the beautiful dresses.

Keep up the excellent work-I am loving your blog and want to see more!

God Bless!

-Katie

I have no idea whether or not Adriana was wearing real fur…but since it’s Vogue I fully suspect she was.

Being a born and bred Californian, fur is not something I have ever really had the chance to wear, and therefore I have never really thought about the ethics of the issue. I will try to be more conscious about these things in my posts.

See….this is why I like reader feedback—it keeps me honest!!

~Rebecca