Frequently Asked Questions
Where can young girls (13-14) purchase clothing that is trendy but pure and decent?? I'm an incredibly frustrated Mom when is comes to buying clothing for my daughter.
I know, I can understand your frustration! You are not alone. The best thing to do is talk about guidelines before you take your daughter shopping and then work from there. Please see the modesty guidelines. There are plenty of modest options out there in the malls, but unfortunately modest clothing is sometimes not considered "stylish" by teen girls. Too often, they have been conditioned by the media and they end up with a strong desire to look and dress like pop stars... and these stars are often times not modestly dressed. Most girls would be "mortified" to shop in the "Moms department", but there are modest shirts and skirts in these areas. Try to be creative with the available styles in the Junior Department... layering tops until she is appropriately covered etc. We hope to have a Pure Fashion clothing line one day, but for now we just choose wisely when shopping!
How can I get a Pure Fashion Show to come to my city?
Please go to the Getting Started page, read all of the information on line and fill out the inquiry form. We will review your information and contact you within two weeks of receiving the inquiry form.
Is there a curriculum that we can use with our own church or organization?
No, not right now. The model training program materials were created to be used specifically for the Pure Fashion program.
Who is behind Pure Fashion?
Pure Fashion is a service of Regnum Christi, an ecclesial lay movement of the Catholic Church. For more information, visit their website.
How can I become a Pure Fashion Model?
Our Model Training Program is designed for young women between the ages of 14 – 18 and is a seven month formation program. You can contact the Pure Fashion Show nearest you by emailing the Coordinator of that city. Please read all of the posted details regarding the Model Training Program.
The clothing featured on the Pure Fashion site appears to be clothing you can find in a traditional clothing store. Is this the point — do you want the fashion show to illustrate that 'modest' clothing doesn't mean wearing a shapeless sack?
Yes, this is exactly the point! Pure Fashion helps girls to learn how to choose clothing from their favorite stores or from the Mall that is trendy but still tasteful, pretty but not provocative. We show them how to choose modern styles that still fully cover their bodies.
I'm really interested in the model training program — I think it's fantastic that the girls are taught more than just how to make themselves look nice. Would you say the fashion shows are the main point of your programs or are they a fun way to get girls involved in a moral behavior training program?
The Pure Fashion program is developed to "meet girls where they are." Many teen girls have an interest in fashion and are becoming more aware of how they look and appear to others. The training program that precedes the fashion show is the most important part of the program. Through the training sessions, the young women are taught the foundational elements of personal presentation so that they can grow to be confident, competent leaders in their schools and communities, while living out the virtues of modesty and purity. They also learn the "WHYs" of dressing modestly. They have dignity as Children of God and they should live, dress and behave in accordance with that dignity. Their personal appearance should encourage purity of heart in the young boys or men they encounter.
Is there a place in the program for non-Christian girls?
Pure Fashion is open to any young woman between the ages of 14 – 18, regardless of religious or non-religious affiliation.
Why does Pure Fashion think modesty is important?
Modesty is the virtue that protects that which is intimate and personal from being exposed or revealed to others. Modesty can guard a person's heart, mind and body. "Modesty is decency. It inspires one's choice of clothing. It keeps silence or reserve where there is evident risk of unhealthy curiosity. It is discreet." CCC 2522
"There is modesty of feelings as well as of the body. It protests, for example, against the voyeuristic explorations of the human body in certain advertisements, or against the solicitations of certain media that go too far in the exhibition of intimate things. Modesty inspires a way of life which makes it possible to resist the allurements of fashion and the pressures of prevailing ideologies." CCC 2523
"The forms taken by modesty vary from one culture to another. Everywhere, however, modesty exists as an intuition of the spiritual dignity proper to man. It is born with the awakening consciousness of being a subject. Teaching modesty to children and adolescents means awakening in them respect for the human person." CCC 2524
What message does modesty send?
Dressing modestly helps a young woman to be pure of heart, as well as helps the young boys or men with whom she comes in contact, to remain pure of heart. As scripture tells us, "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8
Who decides what clothing is featured in Pure Fashion shows?
The decision regarding what clothing is featured at each show is made by the Pure Fashion Coordinator in each city and her team of volunteers.
Has your organization had any difficulties in selecting appropriate clothing for your fashion shows?
We, at Pure Fashion, have an eye for mixing and matching clothing available through our sponsors, adapting items for modest, age-appropriate fashion that is not provocative or suggestive.
What is your view on modesty today? Is it making a comeback?
At Pure Fashion, we are hopeful that modesty is making a comeback! Pure Fashion aims to set a new trend for the production and marketing of modest, age-appropriate clothing, advertised in ways that acknowledge the dignity of women.
Does Pure Fashion hope to continue encouraging young women to be modest?
Yes, Pure Fashion actually encourages all women and men, young or old, to protect and guard their dignity by dressing modestly, and to be very careful of what enters their hearts and minds through music, movies, magazines and the internet.
I am a wedding coordinator for my Church and lately the brides have been wearing very revealing gowns on their wedding day. Some girls say that there are not many options out there and that gowns with sleeves are hard to find. Is this true?
The brides are speaking the truth... there are not very many "modest" bridal gowns available in the stores or shown in magazines. (If your definition of modesty means having a woman's shoulders covered and the neckline not plunging lower than 4 inches below her collar bone.) If you flip through the pages of popular Bridal magazines, you will primarily see strapless gowns for brides and sexy (evening gown style) bridesmaids dresses.
This is sad, but is reflective of so many things in our society... immodesty in general, disregard for the holiness of Mass and sacred spaces, and confusion about one's wedding being a solemn occasion to commit oneself in the Sacrament of marriage instead of dressing as if competing in a pageant.
Brides can work with retailers to shop through catalogs and not just settle for what is on the rack. There are dresses with sleeves, they might just be harder to find. If a young woman is determined to wear a strapless gown, encourage her to make sure the top of the dress covers all of her cleavage and we recommend adding a wrap, jacket or shawl during the ceremony. Keeping one's shoulders and back covered while in Church is always appropriate.