Frumpamentalist

I decided to comment on the recent modesty/fashion post going on with my friends at Traditio in Radice and Inquisitor Generalis. You should read the above links first. My comments below are merely afterthoughts.

My wife calls those traditionalist women who have adopted the Little House on the Prairie (LHOTP) look a "Frumpamentalist".

One of the problems with the LHOTP look is that it does not represent the Traditionalist way of life as either realistic or attractive. Who wants to look like a frumpy-dumpy housewife in order to "join the club"?

I see the goal as being one of "not un-fashionable" dress. (Excuse the double negative. I believe it conveys my point.) Modesty does not by necessity equate with un-fashionable.

From our own experience, people are amazed to discover that we have 7 children and exclusively attend the TLM. Why? Because we do not dress like we fell off of a horse-drawn cart. We appear to be approachable and relatable, and we are. They are then caught quite off-guard when my wife speaks about the traditional role of women within marriage and family. The question in their minds is, "How could someone who appears to be so normal actually be so radical?"

Several young families who have recently visited our parish were relieved to find other Trad families who dress and act normal, inclusive of modest and moral.