Buy of the Week

Classy and stylish clothing in girls sizes can be tricky.

Find these outfits here, here, and here!

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

P.S. Don't forget our Sundee Best Challenge!

Sundee Best

"Put on your Sunday clothes when you feel down and out
Strut down the street and have your picture took
Dressed like a dream your spirits seem to turn about
That Sunday shine is a certain sign
That you feel as fine as you look!
Beneath your parasol, the world is all a smile
That makes you feel brand new down to your toes
Get out your feathers
Your patent leathers
Your beads and buckles and bows
For there's no blue Monday in your Sunday clothes!"
~ Hello Dolly

I laugh every time I hear this song. The song is part of a big dance scene from the Broadway/motion picture filled with fantastically-dressed dancers strutting around in as gussied-up glamour as one could possibly imagine! 

Dressing in your "Sunday Best" has been an old adage for years; our grandmothers' culture knew exactly what it meant. I find it sad that Sunday Best seems to be a dying idea. The days of washing gloves, pressing handkerchiefs, shining shoes, and trimming hats seem to be long gone, but why have they left, when did they start, and should we care?

Laura Ingalls Wilder and girls like her had two dresses -- three if they were incredibly blessed. One would be for everyday tasks and playing, the other saved for Sundays spent at church and special socials. Girls were not the only ones who had special attire, but mothers, fathers, and sons all had special items of clothing only meant for Sunday. Saving special garments for Sunday or spiffing yourself up was not a new idea to the Ingalls. You might have even found Pilgrims cleaning off their faces and washing their aprons before a service together. Is being concerned with our appearance a sign that we only care about what others think, or does God ask this of us?

He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.
Leviticus 16:4

God gave Moses very specific instructions regarding the tent of meeting and what the priest should wear, and when it should be worn. These set-apart holy garments showed the people a glimpse of God's holiness and reminded the priest of his sacred duty. Fast forward to the early church. The Bible doesn't speak about a Sunday Best, but it has an awful lot to say about giving our best to the Lord and honoring Him in all that we do.

Now I know what you're thinking.
"What about people who can't afford nice clothing for church?"

Well, you know, a similar problem arose in the early church.

My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. 

 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 

James 2:1-6, 8-9, 12

As told here, we have some classic brown-nosing. I wish I could say this is not an issue in the church today, but it is. Oftentimes, we look for personal gain with people who "look" like they have prestige and wealth, but as said above, how can we judge when we are unable to choose who will inherit God's kingdom? If we are attending church to gain rich friends or to be the center of attention, we need to be doing some serious repenting. Going to church with a community of believers is NOT our personal fashion show runway.

Going to worship God with others is very special. In fact, it's one of the most special things we do. I think it's wonderful that we do show differences in clothing when attending church. It shows our continual celebration of Christ and how we long to give Him our best.

So back to the question above: "What about people who can't afford nice clothing for church?" So let's define nice. If you mean nice by the latest $250 dress in the window of Anthropologie, then I'm sorry, you will find few who can meet that standard. 

I belive in bests, so if you only have two teeshirts and one has stains and the other doesn't, then wear the non-stained one. If you have a choice of sweatpants over a skirt, choose the skirt. It's not about being the most fashionably hip, it's about bringing your best to the Lord. If you are feeling judgment from others in the church, don't feel down -- they will have to answer to the Lord. The important task is to first consider what Christ thinks about you before you consider what others think.

So put on your Sundee Best, Ladies -- whether it's just a fresh bath and washed jeans or a pressed dress trimed in lace. Celebrate with me, for Christ is risen from the dead and we are children of the King!

Young Style

Keeping age-appropriate can be hard in a world of mature women's clothing. It seems culture is increasingly trying to tell us that girls can't just be girls and everyone should look 25, no matter if you are 14 or 41.

As you enter into your teen years, it can be a fun time of playing with color, patterns, and shapes! Your body does a lot of growing, so don't be frustrated when your oh-so-perfect dress doesn't fit next season. Though it is a fun time of experimenting with fashion, be cautious about taking things overboard. Choose garments that highlight your God-given beauty rather than distract.

Dress Your Lips

As the season changes, you might be experiencing the pain of chapped lips. Wearing something to protect your lips is smart, but ending up looking like a scarlet woman is not.

Lip balm is appropriate for all ages; using lipstick requires more discretion. Here are some tips to help you choose how to dress your lips.

I love this stuff. I have to wear it continually through the fall and winter or my lips will crack and be rather painful. A clear or very pale pink is appropriate for all ages. My favorites are Burt's Bees as they have natural healing qualities and come in many sheer shades.

Lip gloss is my easy fix for days when I don't want to put on makeup. It brightens my face and protects my lips. It comes in many fun colors, but should be treated more as a lipstick rather than a balm.

Select a color that complements your countenance for a natural look. A bolder color would be appropriate for a young woman for a more dressy affair. Ask your parents for guidance if you are not yet wearing makeup. 

Overdone and you can look like a less-than-virtuous woman; balanced appropriately, lipstick can add a fun pizazz! The key to wearing a bold lipstick is keeping your other makeup minimal and natural. Lipstick will make you look older, so don't wear it if you are in your teens. It will make you look clownish.

Selecting the right color and type can be tricky. Visit your local mall and try on sample colors to find your perfect shade. Darker colors are for fall and winter, lighter tones for spring and summer.

The Syndromes

I know it can be discouraging at times. I've walked miles in malls and shopping centers in search of clothing that not only was modest, but reflected my own style. It's been my experience that many young women think that in order to be modest we have to "give up" our personal preferences because the store only has limited options of modest, affordable clothing.

I could say that it's not fair, but Jesus never said that following Him would be easy.
It is worth it, though.

I have observed that young women who start out with the best intentions to look modest sometimes become disheartened and fall into either one of two syndromes. These syndromes reflect two extremes and usually don't happen overnight. There is a balance to everything, and I certainly can't hold up the perfect way to dress. My advice to you is to see which way you tend to swing within the two syndromes. It may reveal a deeper heart issue in which you'll need to prayerfully seek God's guidance.

Give-in

Our culture wants us to give in. It wants us to raise our white flag of surrender, proving that there's nothing really special about our King. It wants us to look just like everybody else, not set apart as Jesus calls us to be. I have known many young ladies with the best intentions to be modest examples of the faith, only to be doused as soon as they had to purchase clothing, shoes, or makeup. We go to the malls expecting to find feminine, modest apparel whenever we need it. Oh, how I wish that was true! So many gals get frustrated and give in to follow what fashion dictates. Giving in can be the “easy” way, but we would miss out on the precious purity of presenting ourselves as ambassadors for Christ!

Giving in doesn't always start abruptly. It starts in small choices and slow fades. A young woman doesn't wake up one morning deciding to be the hottest chick on the block. It's choices like, "I can buy this; it's just a little shorter."

Ladies, we can justify and talk ourselves into anything! This is why it's so important to have God-fearing people in our lives to help us make wise decisions -- be it regarding clothing or any life choices. Accountability is key.

Give-up

You might be saying to yourself, “I’ve not given in. I am NEVER immodest, and I don’t care what fashion says.” This is great to hear, but are you in danger of practicing the ways of Pharisaical pride and looking unwelcoming, rather than practicing the values of the Proverbs 31 woman? Perhaps you are tired of trying to fit into the culture or you simply don’t know where to start in looking well-groomed as an ambassador for Christ.

Giving up is one of the most common attitudes in Christian young ladies. They are faced with the world's perspective of appearance, and instead of fitting in or giving in, they fall into not caring for themselves and have a lazy spirit about upholding feminine beauty. They say to themselves, “Why try? I don’t care," or "I don’t want anyone to look at me.” They are determined not to join the world and this is very admirable, but they end up retreating in the fight against immorality, not standing firm. 

So why does this matter? 
Well, either way, the culture wins. If it can’t get you to give in, its next step is to beat you down so you will not stand for feminine excellence. If we raise our surrender flag in this way, our culture will use us as an example of, "She let herself go; you don't want to join her fight.” Pop culture rationalizes that its way is the only way because it appeals to women's vanity. Looking homely will turn people away from who we are, because as I have said many times before, the world is summing us up in the few seconds it takes to glance our way.

Solutions to finding balance in beauty can be as simple as finding colors that become you or adding a cardigan to a dress. These quick fixes, and many like them, will help ward off the syndromes. Use the creativity our Creator has given you and find like-minded young ladies who have great ideas. I agree that when you go to the mall you can easily become overwhelmed by immodest clothing and photography. Not to mention the prices $$$! Yet, as we've seen on Silk and Purple, it is possible to find clothing that is not only modest, but is lovely and age appropriate. Have fun in the searching and keep a joyful spirit.

I hope Silk and Purple encourages you so that you may stand firm -- not giving in or up -- as an ambassador for Christ!

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P.S. Don't forget about our giveaway from the Botkins!!!

Middle School Madness

   

  There comes a time in everyone’s life (usually between the ages of 10 and 14) that one experiences something known as "the awkward phase." For most, it can be pretty brutal -- a time when relationships are tested and hormones wreak havoc until it's hard to recognize oneself. A lot of people spend this time trying to rediscover themselves, even though who they are is normally a lot better than what they're trying to be. They try new hairstyles, wear lots of different kinds of clothes, and basically try as hard as they can to ignore the fact that they aren't nearly as old or wise as they wish to be. Thankfully, I'm nearly done with this phase, but if you're just starting it, or you're somewhere right in the middle, don't worry. Take it from me; there's a light at the end of this seemingly endless tunnel.

  

One thing that a lot of us middle schoolers (especially those of us who are girls) worry way too much about is our appearances. We fuss over ourselves from head to toe as if those around us expect us to look like Barbie dolls from the moment we wake up until we go to bed. Even the thought of looking in a mirror is enough to make us feel queasy, and don't even get me started about getting ready to go places. I can't count the number of times I've rummaged through my closet, only to find that all my clothes either don't fit or make me feel as if I look like a two-year-old. I'll get suggestions from my mom or sister, and as much as I trust their fashion expertise, more times than not I'll find myself thinking, "Are you serious? I'm actually about to go out in public and you want me to wear that?" I don’t know if you have something better, but my favorite cure for this problem is to look out a window at all the beautiful trees surrounding my house. It reminds me that the same God who created me created those trees, as well as all the wonderful things in the world. He wouldn’t make anything ugly, and since he made me, I’m obviously not half as bad off as I feel sometimes.

  

  Another thing that really bugs me is the fact that I don't know everything. Have you ever said or done something only to be corrected by someone older than you because you made a mistake? Well, I don’t know about you, but it drives me crazy. I can be a bit stubborn sometimes, so being reminded that I have more shortcomings than I’d like to have can really get on my nerves. I’m not perfect, and I know there’s nothing I can do about that, but can’t I let my friends think I am? Not when I make an obvious mistake and have someone point it out to me. “If only I could go back and change what happened in that situation,” I’ve told myself countless times. But unless one of those many people that are a lot smarter than I’ll ever be invents a time machine, I can pretty much rule that out as impossible. One thing I can do, though, is pray for strength and patience as I deal with the inevitable: that there will always be someone out there who is more knowledgeable than I am, whether it be about writing, music, electronics; there will be a lot of people that know more about this. Unfortunately, I’m one of the most technologically illiterate people I know. There is one good thing about this, though. I’ll always have someone to help me if I get stuck on something difficult, as long as I have a willing spirit to learn.

  One last thing I think a lot of middle school girls have a lot of trouble with is the confusion of dating. A good number of us either have a “boyfriend” or wish we did. I personally want to wait until I’m older before I start looking for the person I’m going to marry someday. It’s a lot harder to save yourself for the man God made for you if you go through a bunch of unnecessary "lovey-dovey" relationships that will most likely lead to heartbreak. I also don’t think that people my age are mature enough to make decisions about things such as this. A relationship between a man and a woman is the most important earthly relationship there is, and I don’t want to make any decisions I’ll regret. One thing my mom told me to do when I have any doubts about this is to pray for my future spouse and ask God to help him make wise decisions in his life. This helps me to remember that God has a plan for me if I will choose to follow it.

  Whether you’re at an awkward time in your life or not, remember to always make God the center of your life. Even though with everyday distractions we may sometimes lose our focus, we must always strive to get back on track. When you’re in middle school, life can be rough, but with God on your side you can beat out the madness.

Top 6 Combos

What's a young girl to do to beat the heat and stay modest and oh-so-stylish? Here are my top 6 combos for girls this summer!

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Find all these items at these shops!

http://www.gap.com/browse/subDivision.do?cid=6256

http://downeastbasics.com/girls.aspx

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/division.do?cid=6027

http://www.carters.com/oshkosh

http://www.jcrew.com/kids/girls.jsp?navLoc=left_nav

http://www.forever21.com/Product/Category.aspx?br=girls&category=girls_whatsnewall

**Please note that not all items from this store are recommended by SnP. Happy Shopping, but be mindful of what you purchase as an ambassador of Christ!**

Makeup Musings

Selecting the right foundation is a crucial aspect of wearing makeup. If you don't use the right color for your skin tone, you can look very unnatural! Save the heavy, clown makeup for the circus. ;)

Here are three tips to help you select and apply the best product for your skin.

1. Type

Determine if you should use a liquid, powder, or mineral foundation. Liquid foundations give the best coverage and are very helpful if your skin tends to be splotchy or prone to breakouts. Just be sure to set (apply over) the liquid foundation with a loose translucent powder in your correct shade.

Powder and mineral foundations are perfect for a lighter coverage and allow your skin to breathe more. It is great for giving an even skin tone very quickly.

If you don't really need to cover up anything, a tinted moisturizer will probably be your best choice. It will protect your skin throughout the day and give it a glowing look.

2. Color

Test the color of the foundation on the inside of your forearm before applying to your face. The color should blend well into your skin tone.

All makeup brands carry different colors, so be wise in your selection. If at all possible, test before you buy.

3. Application

Start with a clean sponge or brush and blend, blend, BLEND! Blend down your neck and don't forget to blend up to your hairline and ears. Use a minimal amount for achieving a natural, even skin tone.

Foundation is not needed to cover the glow of youthful skin. If you haven't yet begun to wear it, remember to check with your parents before experimenting. :)

Runway Reviews

Fashion shows are as interesting as designers. Many designers create artwork to wear, so a fashion show is a lot like going to an art gallery in motion. Runway shows vary from high avant-garde fashion to the best trends for everyday women. 

Fashion shows are not foreign to Mrs. Debbie (Abby and Jacqueline's mom and Silk and Purple's editor extraordinaire). In her younger days, Mrs. Debbie was a model and modeling director of a school and agency in Atlanta, Georgia. The lessons she learned through this time in her life flow through this blog, and I am personally grateful for her transparency and guidance in leading me to know what true beauty really is.

Last evening, we had a fun time at the REAL Cover Girl runway show. The evening consisted of delicious hors d'oeuvres, a video of street interviews, a helpful message about what a REAL cover girl looks like, and a runway show. The emphasis that true beauty is not only exterior was very encouraging. The speaker personified REAL as Reflection, Essential, Ageless, and Lifestyle. The video was played of some interesting interviews of people on the street. One young man was asked if he was ever distracted during his church's worship service by women's dress choices, and with a firm head nod, he said yes.

The runway show was filled with bright, bold colors, and color-blocking styles. Many of the outfits were reflective of the model's lifestyle -- not over-the-top artistic, just fun and flattering to every woman's age and shape. A few outfits could have used a little more creativity in making them effortlessly modest. Most could be changed with a little extra layering. The models were exuding joy as classic, graceful music made for a fun atmosphere!

Here are some favorite photos and fashions of the evening.

       

Sugar and Spice

Sugar and spice and all things nice

That's what little girls are made of!

I think this is a pretty true observation. Being a girl myself, having two adorable nieces, and many little girls in art classes, girls are sweetly flavorful! :) 

So what should a gal wear when she is wanting to start on the right path to guarding her purity and representing Christ and her family in a radiantly beautiful way? If you are young, and tired of designers pushing you into clothing with pop-culture stars' faces plastered across them, or you simply want to truly embrace your age (not looking like you are 16), then this is the post for you!

Fitting in girls' sizes doesn't mean you can't have a personal style! Nor does it mean you must dress in glitzy, skinny pants or Hannah Montana tops. Here are some feminine and stylish clothing options for the girl made of sugar and spice and all things nice!

1. Find the slacks here!

2. Find the purple tee here!

3. Find the cardigan here!

4. Find the navy dress here!

5. Find the polka dot skirt here!

6. Find the yellow top here!

7. Find the striped tee here!

8. Find the dress here!

Question and Answer

Here is a great question we recently received from a mom:

Q: What is the recommended age to follow Silk and Purple?

A: Silk and Purple was created to reach a wide age range. While we have many women reading and gathering creative ideas from this blog, we do not believe we have biblical jurisdiction to instruct and lead wives and mothers in the ways of scripture. Our focus is on unmarried young ladies! We love for wives, mothers, and grandmothers to read the blog, and our prayer is that they will share it with the young ladies in their lives. 

We all mature differently. The Victorian idea that girls are not concerned about appearance until 15 is a long-forgotten thought. We believe that the maturity level of a girl should be determined by her parent or guardian. We desire Silk and Purple to be a wonderful resource to girls entering the years that can be the most exciting and productive -- the preteen, teen, and young adult years. Preteen may mean 12 for some girls, others as early as 10. We encourage parents to determine when it is best for their daughters to engage in outside instruction regarding their outward appearances and the deeper heart issues.

We will always strive to place disclosures to help parents censor sensitive subjects in protecting young, pure hearts, as well as provide admonition to the young lady to seek the counsel of her spiritual head!

~ Abby and Elyse

Find more QnA here!