Plunging Necklines

An issue with clothing for women of all sizes is plunging necklines. V-neck t-shirts, tops, and sweaters plunge extremely low causing cleavage to be shown. Here are 3 quick modest fixes that will enable you to still rock your v-necks and be modest:

#1. Camis are your best friends! 

End your love-hate relationship with camis and get them in every color! I will say that camis with built-in bras sometimes will not do justice because they slip down and still show your cleavage. You can choose to wear camis or just simply wear tank tops. Lately I’ve seen retailers featuring tank tunics that are longer in length.

There is also a quick test you can do to see if your cami is working for you. Bend down in front of a mirror and if you can see down your shirt you need to try a different cami.

Red-Orange Cami from Forever 21 - $2.50
Black V-Neck from Forever 21
Similar Cami's pictured can be found at Charlotte Russe, Express, and Target.

#2. Scarves, scarves, and more scarves!

Scarves are definitely a favorite in the wardrobe of every fashionista! Wear fun, colorful scarves in different textures, styles, and patterns to bring life to your outfit! They are one of my favorite ways to cover up plunging necklines. Not to mention, scarves can be used in all four seasons so they are worth investing in!

There are a variety of different ways to wear (long and square) scarves. Michelle Phan from YouTube shows us different ways.

Black and White Striped Scarf from Madewell
(similar ones can be found at Forever 21, and Target)
Method used on this scarf: Rectangular scarf made into a loop and the loose ends were put into the scarf loop hole.

#3. Accessorize like it’s your job!
When it comes to pulling together an outfit accessories are a must! A cute necklace and bangle can seriously accentuate your look. Recently long necklaces and elaborate beaded and floral jewelry have hit the fashion scene. If your v-neck top is not extremely low you can use accessories to bring attention to another area of your body rather than your neckline. However, I do strongly encourage you to wear a cami just in case.

May is wearing a breaded necklace made out of a cotton t-shirt! (Melissa Esplin). Be creative when it comes to your accessories…they say a lot about your personality and style!

Some top accessory retailers are Forever 21 , Charming Charlie , and H&M …find one near you!

That wraps up our QMF forum for this week! Follow us to stay connected and see what’s next!

Designer Genes

Jeans have a history that has evolved from lowliness to high status.  It all began with Levi Strauss. With his entrepreneur spirit he found a way to use his surplus canvas. He developed jeans which were basically for poor working men. They were rugged, wore well, and were made to last.  My dad shared with me that in the depression days, one wore his best jeans to church for that was all they had.

Entering into the 21st century designer jeans have a certain place in fashion.  Today designer jeans range from $200 to $500… http://www.articlesbase.com/antiques-articles/designer-jeans-922113.html . Everyone is crazy about top jean brands such as Hudson, True Religion, Joe’s Jeans, and 7 Jeans just to name a few. More affordable versions can be found in American Eagle, Hollister, Delia’s, and Nordstrom’s. A jean trend that is very popular is distressed jeans! The distressed jeans are put through chemical treatments that reduce the wear of the garment.  The chemical treatments create holes, tears, and discoloration of the jeans to make them have a vintage appearance. Distressed jeans are usually the first to sell out in the stores. They are so popular because they have a unique look and no two are exactly alike.

We are created individually unique by the Master Designer, God himself. In Psalms 139: 13-18 (NIV) we read:

For you created my inmost being;you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from youwhen I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your bookbefore one of them came to be.How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!How vast is the sum of them!Were I to count them,they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you.

It is the Lord’s desire for our hearts to be transformed by Him, but it is the desire of the world to transform and destroy what God has made beautifully. When you really think about it, designer jeans are massed produced but God makes each person individually distinct. While each pair of jeans has to be destroyed on the outside to be accepted this is not the case for us. Each one of us has a need individually as daughters of the most high God to reflect the inward beauty He has given us and declare the great works He has done! Just that alone makes one wonder in awe.  The Creator of this mighty universe made you and had thoughts about you as He formed you.  Now that is designer genes!

By Ruth Gomes, Edited by Sarah Joyner & Caitlin Bradt