Modest is...As Modest Does?

Today's Post is using one of Mama Kat's  prompts...

                   And the winner is ...

                          Prompt #1!

A blog post inspired by the word: Modest

Modest is an adjective. The definition is as follows:

1) unassuming or moderate in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.

2) relatively moderate, limited, or small

As I sit here thinking about this word I am struck by just how often it is used to describe so many things in life.

When starting out in your career...usually just out of school...your income is described as Modest by your parents when they talk to their friends because....

Well, paltry or measley just makes you sound like a slacker.

And your first home?

Yep, that's a modest row home or bungalow or cape cod...because telling your co-workers you live in a shoe box with windows would be humiliating... or a glorified shed.

And then there are the myriad decorating books that give advice on how to make your modest home, loft or efficiency appear larger, grander, more....everything.

As if your guests won't notice that the couch doubles as your bed or that your kitchen and bathroom  sink are one in the same.

Modest clothing covers those areas of the body that are considered improper to show...

but what exactly the criteria for that determination is seems to depend largely upon the person wearing them.

In Victorian times arms and ankles were not to be shown,...

but cleavage falling out so as to leave nothing to the imagination was okay....as long as you were of the upper classes...the poor people all seem to look  like nuns in comparison...

In the 40's ankles could be seen,.. but do not leave home 

with your head uncovered...even if you were wearing a ghastly rendition of a bird's nest or flower arrangement.

( which btw are neither unassuming nor moderate)

Modest attire in the 1960's and 70's consisted of mini skirts with slight v-necks, long sleeves...

( although being small or limited does seems to be appropriate here)

and bell-bottom skin tight low-cut pant suits often without the proper foundation garments...

and to think...

Those young girls are the Grandmas of today!

The concept of what Modest is has changed over the decades...centuries even.

But one thing remains the same...

Modest does not always mean bad...or good...

because really...

It's all in the eyes...

Or minds...

of the beholder....

or recent grad, or new home owner, or fashionista or...

TheBusyMom who really thinks that those girls at the Homecoming Dance last year ...

the ones that could not bend over without everyone in sight knowing they were wearing a thong and needed a serious Brazilian... 

Yeah...they looked a lot like this only make those black mesh thigh highs and 6 inch hooker heels!
(photo from www.walmart-people.com...yes, these people do walk around in public like this!)

Could benefit from someone teaching them the meaning of the word Modest...

and maybe a dictionary for Christmas so they can look up the definition of the word : Tacky