THE SWIMSUIT TOPIC

The evolution of the swimsuit has been drastic over the last 50 years. While trends usually come full circle and it is apparent that some bathing suit styles have returned to the fore front from years past, the itsy bitsy bikini is going no where.  Who doesn't feel the most comfortable in their underwear?  Well, at home when no one is looking.  But where is the line on bathing suits?  As the more popular trends continue to lean towards skimpy rather than full coverage, it leaves many wondering where the line will be drawn, if at all? Many young females look forward to purchasing and wearing the  hottest swimwear trends, but as with all clothing trends, popular doesn't always mean appropriate.

There are many different styles available, but it is important to find the style that fits your body best and one that doesn't expose everything.  Talking about modesty in general is controversial, let alone the subject of swimwear.  In Florida, ladies can practically live in a swimsuit year round! Some might wonder, if there should be a standard at the beach.  Many churches and even some civic organizations believe so.  Standards are set for the benefit of the group and the benefit of the individual (but in that order).  It makes sense to ask  young men and women, attending a group function together at the beach,  to consider the fun to be had by the whole group free of distractions rather than placing priority on the  individual desires which often leads to expression with no boundaries.  So can a young woman "be herself" and still wear something with more coverage than the typical two piece bikini options?

If stores supplied, and celebs promoted only 1 piece swimsuits, would women go out and sew their own two piece bathing suits anyway?  When wearing a swimsuit, should consideration be given to others?   Should modesty apply to swimsuits, or do sand and water negate the concept? Should current trends dictate our fashion sense?  If so, how far will we go allowing the fashion industry to determine our standards?

The options for adorable swimsuits are out there.  Since there is so much encouragement for young women to where the super revealing swimsuits, why not balance it out with an alternative?!

Sarah Powers, our Director, grew up out on the water.  Her grandparents owned and operated a water ski school for decades and she competed in water sports.  It made sense to talk to her about this topic since she has such a passion to see young women dress with their own personal style while not negating their personal values.  "I care more about the functionality of a swimsuit than the cuteness factor, but that is because I was always training for a competition.  Wearing a bikini might result in some unintended exposure."  She laughed as she described some embarrassing moments that occurred from some bad spills while throwing big tricks. "The bottom line is that our belief system should affect our choice of clothing at school, church, work, and the beach. The first thing that people notice about us is most often not what we say or do, but what we wear.  If we say we want to honor God with our life, that should be reflected accordingly.  As a Christian, our goal in life should not be to get attention from revealing clothes and then to post it on instagram to get more attention."  The beach is the perfect opportunity to be set apart and to consider the impression we are giving off to others.  I say... wear the look you want, but within reason."  She went on to share how the impact of social media has fueled the growth of immodest trends as people continue to post every moment, especially "beachy" ones, with the public.

Both Rebekah, the Top Buttons's Stylist, and Sarah suggested the tankini as a reasonable choice for young women and stated that one pieces are very flattering on most all body types.

It's also interesting to note that most young females, struggle with their changing bodies. Some of the flaws that they see include, small bust line, large bust line, large hips, no curves, large thighs. According to Seventeen.com, young women who see these flaws were 87% more confident when wearing a one piece bathing suit, or one that covered their mid-section.

So with that being said, Be on the lookout for future posts that include where to find some fashionable one pieces, tankinis, and cover ups!

 

And The Winner Is...

Top Buttons recently hosted a giveaway where our readers had the opportunity to win an adorable mustache phone case. Today, we are pleased to announce our winner: Chelsea Crawford! Thank you Chelsea for sharing your pictures with us. We love your style!

Shirt  Jeans  Shoes  Necklace  Ring  Earrings

A SHOPPING SPREE WITH PURPOSE

The team would agree that our favorite part of the Top Button's Project is being able to Give Back.  In addition to providing cute and modest clothing styles online for young ladies to get ideas from, we take young women on shopping sprees who would not otherwise be able to do so for themselves!  As our organization continues to grow, we look to offer the Top Buttons Wardrobe Makeover opportunity for young women across the country- and more often.  At the bottom of this post are details on how to collaborate with us on this project if interested.

This month we partnered with The Core; a youth group from Epic church in Lakeland, FL.   Anastasia Malone, the host who nominated the teen chosen to be on this shopping spree, began as a leader for The Core a little over a year ago.  She shared a bit about why she volunteers to mentor youth by saying, “I do it because I have a passion for young ladies between the ages of 12-16 to see, understand and grab hold of what God has called and purposed them to do! I just love that age in general, so why not take time out of my week to just love on them!”

As we have done with shopping sprees before, we took Deni into a shop and filled 2 carts full of clothing!  Choosing clothes for Deni to try on was a fun-filled, group effort.  As the shopping progressed, the “no’s” turned into “maybe’s” and the “maybe’s” turned into “YES!”  We did have to convince her to step out of her box a bit to try on a couple items, but once she put them on, the smile of satisfaction on her face told us how pleased she was.  We enjoyed sharing ideas on how to wear different pieces in a way that would express her personal style, work with her body type, and keep her essentials covered.  After a morning of power shopping, Deni went home with several items to create a new wardrobe with!  This sweet young lady came out of the store radiating with positive energy.

And off to Peterson Park we go for Deni's photo shoot in one of her new outfits...

When asked what her favorite part of the day was, Deni said, “picking out the clothes!”  She shared how she felt honored to have been nominated, and we felt honored to have been able to provide her with this experience.

Anastasia Malone is seen below on the left, then Kenady (our TB teen team member), Deni (shopping spree winner), and Anastasia Jones (our TB Give Back Director).

All shopping sprees are funded through donations given to our non-profit organization. If you are interested in donating funds or services to provide deserving teens with a Top Buttons Wardrobe Makeover, please contact Anastasia Jones-Downing at anastasia@topbuttons.org.

Written by: Anastasia Jones

Photo Credit: Shelby Danielle

Top Buttons Funny Valentine's Video: If All Else Fails, Just Eat Chocolate

This video was filmed while having our TB Valentine's Party!  The girls were asked to share about how they would be spending their Valentine's Day.  It turned out so funny that we just had to share it!  Hope you had a good Valentine's Week!  

FOR THE PETITE: BUYING NAME BRAND DRESSES FOR LESS

Anyone who knows me [Katie] knows that I adore a cute, girly Lilly Pulitzer dress. Lilly dresses can be expensive but if you’re shopping on a budget and don't mind waiting for the sales, they can be affordable. My secret is buying the junior girls dresses. These dresses can be $100.00 to $200.00 dollars cheaper than the women’s dresses. Not all of the junior girls dresses work for my body type, it is important to make sure they’re not too short, but when I find the right one I make sure to add certain accessories that I know will complete the look. Personally some of my favorite accessories are my monogram necklace, bubble necklace, Michael Kors watch, and Tory Burch flats. Now I know these accessories I chose are not cheap, but if you shop the outlets, you can save a bundle, or shop for cheaper accessories that will look just as great!

;

If junior girls dresses don’t work for your body type then Lilly Pulitzer has 2 major online sales per year with certain boutiques participating: the New Year Cheer sale and the Endless Summer sale. During these sales dresses can be up to 75 % off. It can be difficult to wait for these sales but if you have your eye on an expensive dress, it is well worth it. In saying that, not every Lilly Pulitzer dress is as expensive as others, they have cute t-shirt dresses that are under $100.00. The t-shirt dresses are functional because you can dress them up or down by simply changing your accessories. They are great investment pieces for all seasons.

So if you are a petite young women, you might want to keep this idea in mind for your next purchase! Just watch out for the issue of length... Personally, I work to keep the dresses and skirts at least to mid thigh.

Have a great day,

Katie

A GOD CENTERED LOVE STORY

In today’s culture, couples are expected to be physically intimate in dating relationships. Young women feel pressure to have a boyfriend for acceptance and value. She may even feel she must do “whatever it takes to keep the boy interested,” especially when she is comparing herself and it appears the competition is tough… Then we have the fashion magazine articles, among many things, that encourage more and more of this. How to have your “Best first time,” “How to Make Him Want More,” and “What to Wear to Get Him in Bed,” are all titles of reading material you can find when you open up the standard Fashion Magazine. (Actually, those are the non-explicit versions.) We say… Thanks. But No Thanks! This Valentine’s Day, with the increase in sexually explicit material, we’d like to offer an alternative.

Chase and Paige Wagner met in 2009, were married in 2012, and have been together for 3 and ½ years. They met while at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, (outside of LA). Currently, Chase is the Worship Leader at Southeastern University, and just this week they released their new album on iTunes called, No Other Name. His wife, Paige, is a student at SEU.

First, we were able to catch them sharing a cupcake and cappuccino together. We felt a bit like intruders, but it wasn't long before they invited the whole crew to share their cupcake with them.  Which we gladly accepted!

Then we walked through the downtown Lakeland area for the photoshoot.  Seriously, this couple looks like they walked right off the set of a movie.  The difference though, is that their love is real. It’s authentic. It’s not a photoshop creation or a fake love affair. We asked them to share their story with us because we knew many young men and women would be encouraged by their relationship and how their focus on God has led to a beautiful, healthy marriage. They are still in the honeymoon phase, but no doubt they will be together “until death do they part” if the principles they have built their relationship on thus far are kept.

THE INTERVIEW

Paige, What did your life look like before you met Chase? I met Chase the first month of my freshmen year of college. Before I knew him I was a high school senior ready to graduate and start my college experience in Southern California.

Did you notice him before he noticed you? I don’t know who technically noticed whom first, BUT I definitely noticed him before he introduced himself to me. It was 2009.  At that time the “Zac Efron” hair was in style, and Chase rocked it so hard that he actually looked like Zac. Later when we were dating, random people would approach me and ask if I was the girl dating Zac Efron.

So Chase, what was it about Paige that caught your attention first? Paige was breathtakingly beautiful and still is.

How did you ask her out? I gathered up the nerve to introduce myself after randomly running into her and her friends in a parking lot in town.

Did she respond the way you hoped she would? Yes even in that first conversation she was fun, flirty, and energetic. But at the same I could tell she had self-respect. Being naturally “fun” is a great quality for a girl to have.

Where did you take her on your first date? I asked her to go to church with me the next Sunday.

Paige, we want to know! What do you remember most about your first date? Our first date, Chase asked me to go to a night service with him at Rock Harbor Church in Costa Mesa, CA. I remember talking about missions the whole time. I had felt called by God to go to India, and Chase had been to India a few years past. Come to find out, Chase had worked with the author of the book, Revolution of World Missions, while he was in India ...which was the very book that had inspired me to go there.  I also remember at the end of the night Chase leaning in to grab my hand.  I guess I misread the signal, because I took it as a “handshake” not a loving hand graze. We laughed at the awkward misunderstanding and from then on we “hand shaked” almost every time we left a date.

What did your dating relationship look like? We were pretty inseparable from the minute we met.  We spent a good amount of time in group settings when we first started dating but made sure we also had alone time to get to know each other deeper. We went out to eat, went out for yogurt, sipped Boba tea and drank a lot of coffee (we’re quite the foodies). With no previous understanding of each other’s lives, we had a lot of getting to know each other. Conversations were spent telling stories from our lives, about our families, our understanding of God and our dreams of the future. We set clear boundaries physically, knowing that waiting for physical intimacy would honor our values, each other, and our future together.

What quality do you like most about Chase? I love that Chase’s heart is postured like Christ’s. Chase is always aware and thinking of other people before himself. He is so selfless in his giftings. Chase is always depositing the blessings God’s given to him into other people, seldom holding them for himself. He has such a kind spirit about him always making people feel welcomed and heard.

What role did your relationship with Christ play in your dating experience? Christ didn’t play a role in our relationship; He was the POINT of our relationship.  Devotions and attending church together were a regular part of our time, but in the beginning we guarded our own personal relationships with God. Of course we would share what God was speaking to us, but personal time with God is so intimate.  We wanted to make sure we didn’t share too much while dating just in case the relationship didn’t end in marriage.

Chase, when did you know she was the "one?" After our first conversation. I knew we’d get married.

That’s pretty bold. How did you know she was the "one" that you wanted to spend the rest of your life with? After discussing faith with her and watching that faith play out in the way she lived her life, I knew. She had a real authentic faith, not something that was forced through upbringing or the church or whatever. I loved watching her figure out how God's plan would play out into her personal reality. Her faith was honest and real. She had real questions and real struggles with God. But in the midst of all that I would describe her as “fun” and “light”- never taking herself too seriously.

All the girls want to know, how did you propose? I proposed to Paige at a summer camp she was working at in Northern California. She went to that summer camp every summer as a kid and accepted Christ there when she was 12 years old. The summer I proposed she was working at the same camp as a counselor. I drove down from Seattle her last night at camp and coordinated a candle light bonfire under the stars. It was there I asked Paige if she would accept me as her husband in the same place she accepted Jesus to be her Savior. She said yes.

Chase, we have lots of young female readers who hope to one day marry a man that will love and respect them unconditionally, What one piece of advice would you give our young female readers as to the importance of holding out for God's best?

Every person has baggage. Every person has made mistakes. Have GRACE for yourself and GRACE for others. Simply follow Jesus.

Interview by: Aarika Phillips

Photo Credit: Beth Carter

P.S. 

Be encouraged!  Whether you are single or dating, it's worth it to hold out and keep the bar high.  Your Happily Ever After will come as you make God the Center.

Happy Valentine's Day from the Top Buttons Team!

XOXO

Valentine's Day Outfit Options

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, here is some outfit inspiration for those who are still deciding what to wear. If you want to stay in the Valentine’s Day spirit but red just isn’t your color, pink is a great alternative. It is classic, feminine, and on trend. Whether you have a date with that special someone or a girl’s night out with your closest friends, you will be styling in an ensemble like this!

For hair and make-up think Lauren Conrad. Try pairing a soft neutral eye palette with liquid liner. Add some drama with false lashes that have a slight flair on the sides. Sweep on pink blush, and finish with a nude lip. For the hair, try loose waves or a chignon.

You can’t go wrong with this look. It is clean, fresh, and oh so pretty!

Have a happy and stylish Valentine’s Day!

Rebekah

Valentine's Day Outfit by topbuttons featuring plastic jewelry

White lace dress modcloth.com

Miss Patina high heel modcloth.com

Corto Moltedo studded handbag $1,530 - farfetch.com

Irene Neuwirth diamond jewelry ylang23.com

Plastic jewelry modcloth.com

LAYERED WITH FLARE

Drop the coats and winter wear! It is time to stop piling on the turtle necks and thermals, and begin layering garments that are fashionably lighter. Orange County is no stranger to a variety of unique and fresh styles, but here is a look that has class and flare...well a flare sleeve that is. Now the flare sleeve is usually associated with bell bottoms and a completely different era. So to modernize the full sleeve top and add a touch of youth, pair the top with a dark wash skinny and flats. Being that the season is in transition, a faux fur vest is the perfect choice. This particular faux fur adds texture to the outfit and the rich color of the vest pops against the patterned top. Add the finishing touch of a chunky long necklace and your look is anything but from the past.

The links provided below offer some items that are actual and some that are similar to the ones seen above.

Skinny Jeans | Vest | Blouse | Purse | Necklace | Flats

Photos by: Jen Duarte

COPENHAGEN FASHION WEEK

Being a fashion insider means constantly keeping up to date with what's IN and what's NOT.  Probably the best and most notable way to do that is to attend different fashion shows and fairs.

In other words, if you are curious to find out what’s on trend for the upcoming Autumn and Winter seasons, you'll want to take a peak at the catwalks of the many Fashion Weeks around the world.

On her journey to the beautiful city of Copenhagen, our Scandinavian team member, Sandra, was able to get the scoop on some fresh new designers around the region, as well as, some inspiration for the upcoming Fall season 2013…

After several fashion shows and a visit to the Gallery fashion fair, she is ready to give her REVIEW: “It’s looks like we’re heading towards nature-inspired clothing with a preference towards organically produced material.  At the same time, we will observe a great appreciation of modern femininity inspired by the 40’s and 60’s glamorous haute couture. Finally, why not throw in a bit of a futuristic edge, achieved through blending metallics and geometrically inspired shapes, into the choice of accessories and other apparel?!  It was an impressive week with unique combinations that will be sure to leave an impact as these trends make their way into the shops later this year!"

Faux Fur and Pleather

Now where I live, the weather is hardly ever cold enough to strut this coat around day in and day out. But trust me, I am an opportunist. I wear this coat every chance I get. My favorite thing about this faux fur is how versatile it is. It gives a luxe appeal to any outfit but because it is a statement piece, you can style it for a night out on the town or take a more casual approach as shown here.

 

Although the coat completes the look, each garment and accessory helps tell the story of this casual downtown style. For starters, a basic solid tee is the perfect choice to balance the outfit. For the pants, be bold and go for a pleather pant. Pleather is a seasonal material so you definitely want to wear it while you can. Plus, it will give you an edge that your denim otherwise may not. Now for the finishing touches, boots are a must for an all day affair downtown. Any type of motorcycle or combat boot will work.  As for accessories, mixing metals is a must. I have never been one to mix match metals, but when it comes to pairing gunmetal with silver, or bronze with gold, I say yes.

Other than the fact that I am a proud faux fur owner, faux fur is not nearly as pricey as real fur. Also you won't feel guilty for wearing a real animal and right now is the best time to buy...faux furs are on sale!

Hat | Coat | Pleather Pants | Purse | Shoes | Jewelry 

Written by:  Jenna Olinger

Photo Credit: Jen Duarte  

MODEST TIPS FROM THE TALL GIRL

With longer legs come greater challenges to dress modestly, especially with the current trends.  The goal is not to set a standard by which all judgements on modesty should be made, but rather offer a perspective and some suggestions to consider when shopping with modesty in mind from one tall girl to another.  Miss Amelia with her breathtaking smile and gorgeous long blonde hair,  is 5 feet 9 inches tall. She is a full head taller than most of her peers.

The issue of finding dresses and shorts that reach her mid thigh has been a challenge for her for many years.  If a person is petite or average in height, they might not realize just how difficult it is to find stores and styles that offer more conservative options for taller girls. Tall girls living in the southern states might have even more trouble.  With skimpy summer trends and squelching heat comes the battle of flesh versus staying true to values.

"It is possible, if you are willing to work at it," says the resident tall girl, Miss Amelia. She was all smiles as she shared her challenges and the tricks that she has learned to dress with dignity, despite the push of the culture to do the opposite.

 When asked which stores she has the best luck finding clothes that fit her tall frame and body type, she said, "I get most of my shorts from J Crew, and occasionally Loft.  The 'teenager stores' don't make an alternative for taller girls like me. Their options generally consist of short and shorter. Both J Crew and Loft make it so easy to wear longer shorts, because they have all the same patterns but offer them in a 3, 5, or 8-inch length."  The petite young woman could more easily find shorts that reach mid thigh, while someone with Amelia's height might have to wear at least a 5 or 8 inch inseam to even get close to mid thigh.  Then there are the "bermudas."  Not everyone is fond of this knee length style.  They are, however, a super safe option. Some might argue that they don't look fantastic on their body type.  This thought process is likely encouraged by the current trends to wear shorts that barely cover one's bottom.  When all the fashion magazines show styles and celebrities wearing super short shorts, it seems natural that many would want to do the same.  But that doesn't mean that they should!

Taller girls may also be limited in the current trends they can wear modestly.  Responding to this idea, Amelia said that a trend she wished she could pull off is the high waisted shorts.  "They look so cute on petite girls with a tucked in shirt and the right accessories.  But when I wear them it seems like all you see are my mile long legs!  Unfortunately that's one trend I've had to give up on."  She also admitted that she doesn't always wear the longer shorts, but that she tries her best to balance it out by wearing a looser fitted shirt that undeniably provides full coverage on top to balance the outfit out.

Here are some trends that Amelia likes to wear and she added some tips to make the trend more modest for the tall girl.

The Tunic is adorable to wear to outdoor lunches and beachy events, but she recommends wearing thicker leggings, jeggings, or even comfy skinny jeans underneath.  Otherwise, if you bend over at all, everything will be exposed.

The patterned shirt dress is classy.  And this particular dress does hit mid thigh on Amelia, but she still feels more comfortable in it (especially in this time of year) with a pair of tights and tall boots.  It must be added that with this young lady, an outfit isn't complete without the right accessories!

With the longer length of this dress hitting just above her knee, she  feels comfortable wearing the wedges to make it dressier.  Often times a shorter dress paired with high heeled shoes make the dress appear even shorter.  This is something for the tall girl to keep in mind when trying to dress more modestly.

 So what can keep a tall girl motivated when the modest fashion odds are stacked up against her?  Good role models? A scripture verse?  Accountability?  Any and all of these ideas would be valid and helpful.  Amelia comes from a large family.  She has 5 brothers, and 17 cousins.  There are many little eyes looking up to her which keeps her in check.  "Since my family is pretty close I have my brothers that constantly monitor my outfits. They make their opinions pretty vocal and will let me know if they think I’m wearing something too short, even when I don't ask for their opinion." In addition to sharing about her young family members, She said that her Mother has been a great example and has encouraged her along the way. "My mom is an influence that helps me keep my standards high. Since she is also tall and has shown me great alternatives while being fashionable. I also stay motivated knowing that I don’t dress to impress people on earth, but want to be a representation of Christ through the way I look and act," she said.

It is safe to conclude that it does take more effort to find decent clothing for the taller young lady, but like Amelia says, "don’t give in to what everyone else says is 'normal.'  "I know first hand that being tall and modest is a hard combination, but it builds character and makes your outfits worth the extra effort. I have one last tip when buying shorts or dresses that are a little shorter," She continued. "Try buying a size up from what you would normally wear. There is no need to feel self conscious about the size of your clothing. When you wear bigger clothes it not only makes you look slimmer, but also draws the attention away from your legs. This adds a little length and width, instead of your clothes seeming tight and short."

Thank you, Amelia!

More Tips from the Tall Girl can be expected pre-Summer!

***We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Beth Carter!  She has donated her professional photography services to support our cause for many photo shoots.  We are thankful for her, and look forward to working with her more in the future!***

Style Your Phone

From studs to chevron, phone cases are getting their very own wardrobe. Designers like Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and Karl Lagerfeld are offering a number of cases that are fun, modern, and trendy. Above are just a few cases that we love. Check them out and add a little style to your phone!

If you already have a case that you absolutely love, we want to see it! Upload a picture on Facebook and tag Top Buttons.

Happy Styling,

Rebekah

Style Your Phone by topbuttons featuring tory burch

Tory burch toryburch.com

Tory burch shopbop.com

Tech accessory urbanoutfitters.com

Dkny my-wardrobe.com

FOSSIL tech accessory fossil.com

Tech accessory etsy.com

BUTTON NECKLACES FOR SALE

All of our Top Buttons Team Members have one! This beautiful tiny button can be purchased in a vintage gold or silver for only $30! All proceeds go to support the mission of our Non-Profit organization.

• This sterling silver or gold charm was cast from an original button and then lovingly hand filed, sanded and polished by the artist that is distributing the necklaces to us.

• It measures 3/8" of an inch across and hangs from an 16" inch silver or gold chain.

It is both dainty and rustic.

Be a part of this movement for modesty by purchasing your TB Button Necklace now. Once purchased, you can expect to receive your necklace within 2 -3 weeks.

Also, you may contact us through our (info@topbuttons.org) email address to let us know if you would like to order one outside of using PayPal.

Options

Vintage Gold Silver

Molly's OOTW

In our TB fashion posts, we will still be showing off some styles for cooler weather, BUT we have to face the facts!  Spring has sprung according to the groundhog!  Therefore, now is a great time to break out those white jeans that you have been sobbing about not being able to wear since Labor Day!

Pair them with a cute pink pastel shirt and another solid color jacket for a business casual look great for school, work, or play! Below are the links to find these items at the right price.

For the shoes, I would pair something that would tie in the color in the jacket, like these adorable peep toe wedges.

For accessories, to me less is more. I like these adjustable bracelets because they are inexpensive and they come in so many varieties.

Jacket | Jeans | Top | Belt | Shoes | Bracelet

All of these items were found at Forever21.com.  Forever 21 is a popular store with lots to offer, but not all items are TB worthy.  We will provide our modest picks from this store and others like it with our "OOTW" posts!

TWO TEENS WHO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE

At a young age, high school students Elizabeth and Delaney have decided to put their talent and passion for capturing moments on film to use for a greater purpose.

We've introduced you to Delaney before, but were excited to share a little more about her the characteristics that make this young woman so interesting. She is a high-energy junior in high school that has been captivated by film-making since the first grade. "I am a storyteller, Delaney confessed." She enjoys making stories come alive on screen, to entertain and educated others.

As far back as she can remember, she has been involved in video production. Delaney is a student at a performing arts school where she studies cinematography and video production. With this training she has gained skills in screenwriting, production, and editing, which she says has made her a well-rounded student.

“When thinking about my future, I’m not sure what I want to do. I know I love film, but I’m not sure if it’s going to be my career.” Delaney is a determined young lady, and with that focus and determination comes interests in many other things, which she says makes her future career decisions difficult. “No matter what I end up doing, the skills I’ve acquired thus far will translate into any career,” shared Delaney.

The lack of boundaries in the way women dress is often an issue that arises while working in the filmmaking, confessed Delaney. “But it's all about leadership. You have to work with so many different people in order to accomplish the vision for the film. I see this as an opportunity allow my actions to speak louder than my words. Modesty has a lot to do with respect for myself, but more so for my God.” Delaney shares that she believes that modesty is more than what you wear. It is an attitude of modesty and humility that is imperative in working with people, especially in the area of film and media.

She is prepared for her future as either a creator or connoisseur of film and will carry on her ideals to encourage modesty in young women in whatever field she ends up in.

Elizabeth is new to our Top Buttons team and she has a similar passion as Delaney. But hers is for photography. At the age of twelve she became fascinated with picture taking after her father received a camera for his birthday, but neglected to use it. Elizabeth took her Dad's camera and capitalized on this opportunity to photograph everything she could find. "I had no formal training," shared Elizabeth, "I looked online and taught myself about composition, depth, varying angles and camera settings." Elizabeth started out taking photos of friends and family, and developed her skills for capturing the moment.

Her desire is to capture moments and faces that people might not notice with a natural eye. "I just feel like it's natural when I'm taking pictures."

When asked why she wanted to be involved with Top Buttons, Elizabeth shared about her family values that have been instilled in her from a young age. In her family, she and her sisters have always been encouraged to have reasonable, but distinctly different boundaries of dress than the typical cultural standards of the day. She describes her view on modesty in media by saying, "There is no filter; It's challenging and near impossible to find modesty in photography."

Elizabeth is still deciding her future goals and desires, but would like to see herself owning a photography business on the side while being a mom and a physical therapist. “I will always be taking pictures, shared Elizabeth.”

Delaney and Elizabeth have combined their passions into one common cause. In a culture that expresses themselves in a way that demands attention for a false sense of self-confidence, these young women see the bigger picture. “We are excited to be a part of Top Buttons, and to have this platform to influence young women in a positive way,” they shared. They agreed that they feel empowered to be an example to teen girls who read the blog, and allow them to see that modesty can be fashionable and attainable with a little extra effort.

Photography: Jennifer Duarte

TOP BUTTONS IN SWEDEN

We would like to introduce you to a young woman who will be a regular contributor with Top Buttons.  She is already a fashion blogger with a beautiful spirit and a huge personality!  We look forward to working with her and learning all about what fashion and modesty look like in Scandinavia! Hey,

My name is Sandra. Born and raised in Finland having a Nigerian background now living in Sweden, I would describe myself as a globe trotter with an interest in cultures; very shortly- a free soul. Currently I’m studying Fashion Management at the Swedish School of Textiles in the South of Sweden. It was my great passion for fashion and appreciation towards aesthetics that brought me from a busy city life to a small yet warm-spirited town that I now live in.

Clothing is a very essential part of every day. It’s an outlet for expressing my mood and state of mind. Living pretty much my whole life in the cold Nordic region, where the temperature drops well below zero degrees with just a few hours of daylight during winter, it’s very easy to blend into the depressing darkness. Knowing me, I love to incorporate color into what I wear.

Perhaps my African background also plays to influence this aspect of my style. In doing this, I realize how it brightens my mood as well as other people around. I’ve had people walk up to me and remark about the radiance of joy in the colors I wear. It becomes evident that things like these that seem so little at first can greatly impact the people around us even though we don’t always realize it ourselves. This is something to bear in mind when making everyday fashion choices.

I personally believe that we should all be aware of what we want to communicate to others about ourselves and especially our state of mind and heart with how modestly we dress. This being said, I challenge you to think about what you communicate through your personal style of dressing.

Xoxo Sandra 

Finally it is truly a pleasure for me to be a part of  Top Buttons.  As a contributing team member I hope to both inspire and be inspired by the different styles and thoughts published within this platform. I can’t wait to share some exciting upcoming events from European fashion this spring.  It will be fun!

CONSIGNMENT INSPIRATION

 

These days people pay BIG money to buy "VINTAGE" looking items in retail shops.  The items may look the part, but they haven't earned the title!  We do know for some, shopping consignment  is completely out of the box.  Looking at this rack full of older fabrics and used items may not seem appealing, but we encourage you to give it a try.  If not for any other reason but to save you cash!

  Taking a consignment item and making it look up to date is possible with the right accessories. 

So...If you are in need of a couple of accessories to accompany your Consignment Dress, here are some similar items to the ones worn on Miss Aarika above.

Camel WedgesI Pave Gold Ball Tassle Necklace 

Photo Credit:  Joanna LeMasters and Taylor Flumerfelt

RACHEL'S FULL MAKEOVER,

Rachel is an aspiring nurse from St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Her average look can be summed up in two words: comfy, casual. However, with Rachel pursuing her nursing degree, she is wanting to update her look to a more professional one.

Before the makeover I sat down with Rachel to hear her fashion likes and dislikes, in order to create a look that would fit her unique style and personality. Rachel expressed having a difficult time finding modest apparel, that fit her figure well. Her solution was purchasing sizes that were too big. With this in mind, Rachel and I visited a couple different stores in pursuit of a brand that would work well with her specific body type. In her case it was Old Navy.

For Rachel’s outfit, I chose a collared shirt and blazer combination. I paired it with a dark wash jean, which is an excellent way to keep the outfit business casual without looking too stuffy.

For the hair, we chose a style that would be well suited for her “on the go” lifestyle. This simple bob can be styled with minimal product, tools, and time.

For the make-up, I kept it simple and natural. Rachel could easily pull this look off in just a few minutes. The foundation is light-weight, and looks great paired with a cream blush. For the eyes, I used a palette of greys and taupe. For the lips I chose a wine color, which keeps her look up to date and on trend.

A statement necklace adds personality to the look; bracelets and a jeweled toned ring compliment it well. This look highlights Rachel’s amazing figure without compromising her value for modesty. You do not have to drown in oversized clothing to be modest. Finding the right line of clothing, that works with your body type is key.

Rachel looks ah-mazing in her new modest, professional look. With a newly trained eye in choosing professional pieces that work well with her lifestyle, personality, and body-type, she is ready to confidently enter into the next season of her life.

Shirt: Old Navy, $29.94,  Jeans: Old Navy, $29.50,  

Necklace: Old Navy, $12.00, Rings: Old Navy, $8.00, Bracelets: Old Navy, $8.00 (Jewelry can NOT be purchased ONLINE at this time.)

Foundation: SKINN plasma foundation, $64.50,  Powder: Estee Lauder, Lucidity, $29.00,   Blush: Eve Pearl, Eyeshadow: The Estee Lauder Shadows that were used are discontinued. A palette similar is the Film Noir from Estee Lauder, $48.00,  Eyeliner: Urban Decay, 24-7 Glide On Pencil, $19.00,  Lips: SKINN, $54.98  Mascara: Eco Bella, Flower Color Natural Mascara in black, $17.95, 

Photography: Reagan Miura

Article by: Rebekah Miura

Haircut by: Erin Herren at John Josephson’s Salon