In Defense of "Baptist" Skirts

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Since I've gotten into college, I've gone from only wearing skirts, to not wearing them at all. Jeans became a symbol of my transformation from the Baptist community to freedom of thought, to independence. It became such as I criminalized skirts. I developed a prejudice against any skirt, especially those going to the knee. I developed the term "Baptist" into one that described clothing that was out of fashion for the sake of modesty. While home, I would wear "Baptist" clothing and ask my sisters the question "Does this make me look too Baptist?"

My baptist sister today made the comment that that way of using the word offended her. At first I just shoved it off....but then I thought for a moment. I am always priding myself in being open-minded and accepting of all sorts of beliefs and backgrounds, yet I was putting down the one culture I came from. As if I had the right to belittle a culture simply because I left it. Hypocrisy lives.

Granted, I left this culture for many huge reasons, but I still have always respected people's rights to choose religion. What is the root of this prejudice? Why do I hesitate every time I put on a "Baptist" skirt...a long skirt...? Am I a fake? Am I just switching one dogma "Baptist faith" for another "intellectualism"? The idea scares me.

So...In defense of "Baptist" skirts. They make me re-analize my beliefs and values. I don't have to buy them in "tall." And they look really cute with non-"Baptist" tops. I'm not sure I can entirely replace the adjective with some of the alternatives in most cases, however. "Conservative" could work, but many skirts and tops are "conservative" but not as strict as "Baptist." "Modest" used to work, when I was Baptist, but using it now implies that I am ashamed of my body. As if I think every guy will "sin" when they look upon me in jeans or a cute top. So what do I use? "Long." Long skirts...that totally works. "High-necked." That works too. One piece of advice from my dad I can actually use. "Say what you mean."

I have the unusual urge to go drinking in a long skirt now....hmmm.