Question about women's attire

I will try to set this up as best as I can. I understand there are differing views on each side. My father, an IFB is very black or white. I lived with him during my last year in high school where he tried his hardest to implement sound principles and standards. Much of his efforts went unnoticed until after my husband and I married a year later.

One of these "standards" were for me to wear dresses and skirts, at the time I had a problem with that. I enjoyed my worldly clothing, and didn't see a reason as to why I should let it go. At the beginning of my marriage I had a change of heart and changed out my wardrobe, and haven't looked back since.

I have no problem wearing what I do. I greatly understand the principle behind it, just by experience, etc.

Well, we have a one year old daughter and for the past year she wore only dresses and sleepers. We live in So Cal where the climate is fairly warm all year round, so super warm clothes were never a must. To keep her warm she'd be in a sleeper or wearing tights. There has never been a problem but now there is.

We leave for Virginia on Saturday. It's been a great while since I've lived in ultra cold climates and know that it will be freezing there. I went searching for 'fall' dresses, well, the only thing I found was fancy/special occasion dresses not meant for everyday wear. So, what do I do? I asked my husband and he thought it'd be best to allow her to wear pants while in the colder climates, but will continue with her dress wearing during the other 3 seasons.

My dad started with his diatribe when I brought this up and it's aggravating. Saying I shouldn't compromise, and so on. I want her to be warm, there's nothing careless about that choice. I understand it's a personal preference for some as long as it's worn modestly.

I'm sure some can find scripture that is in support or against this very teaching.

Any advice in dealing with this with my father?

TIA.

 

There's nothing against the wearing of dresses but it speaks of modesty. I've learned to distance myself from him as he's very much a legalist.

He did mention leggings/thermal tights. I have to look into those. She received a lot of pant outfits for her birthday. We have tons of dresses, but most are too light for really cold weather. I've found that pants are much cheaper so I went ahead with that.

Thanks!

 

He asked about clothes she might need for the trip. He knew we didn't have a lot of warm clothes for her. I said pants were fine. I wanted to stand my ground and did. We have thick tights, but wanted to be on the safe side and requested pant outfits for her birthday.

I know it will come up, but what is the best way, without debating Scripture to stand my ground? He's the sneaky type. She was wearing sweat pants in a picture once and he asked if it was cold outside.

I don't go looking for approval but topics come up about various things, and that's when he starts with his speech about "standards".

 

Thanks Johnv, that sounds about right. We're actually seeing DH's family. My dad lives in the Bay area.

 

You STILL have a lot of baggage, ma'am, if you look at dresses as "spiritual" and slacks as "worldly".

There is NOT ONE VERSE OF SCRIPTURE to support such. If Dad pulls of the hackneyed Deut 22:5, go thru the chapter and find out if HE is obeying the whole list. What a laugh!!

YOU must be convinced what you are doing (wearing, your daughter's attire, etc) meets the BIBLE standard of modesty and appropriateness. And yes, in winter outside of California/Florida, leggings, tights, slacks, etc make intelligent sense. </font>[/QUOTE]Noo, I don't view slacks as worldly. Modest ones? No. I wore tight pants, skirts, tops, midriff bearing shirts in my teen years. That is what I was referring to. Early in my marriage my choice of slacks were pretty moest, certainly nothing compared to what I did wear before.

I didn't know until recently that pants weren't UNspiritual.

 

Can you tell me where you bought these spiritual pants?