A Message for the Women.

This week, a change of pace. Here is post about my dear friend and fellow blogger, Rachel Porter.

Her posts may only be meant for women, but the message she shares through them is for everyone.

Enjoy.

FASHION BLOGGER RACHEL PORTER FIGHTS THE BELIEF THAT “SKIN IS IN.”

Spunky, fun, fresh and original are ways to describe Rachel Sayumi Porter—writer and collaborator for the popular fashion/lifestyle blog, “Mr. JP and Me.” She is a young wife, student, fashion icon, and interestingly enough, she is also a Mormon.  Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints—commonly referred to as Mormons—are typically identified by their strict moral code and rigid conservative values …certainly not by their style. Rachel Porter is out to change that.

With the Mormon belief in modesty in the way one both acts and dresses, many young Mormons focus more on how their clothing covers their bodies rather than how it dresses them. Rachel is a strong believer in that fact that you don’t have to ‘bare it all’ to show off creative, trend-setting style. “You can still look good, but be conservative,” she says. “People do notice what you wear and what you’re trying to show the world by how you dress. It’s really important that you look good, but still hold the standards that you know are true.”

In a popular Mormon pamphlet geared towards the youth of church, church-leaders encourage young Mormon women to wear clothing that shows respect for both themselves and their bodies. This pamphlet, aptly titled, “For the Strength of Youth,” encourages women to “wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner.” It also discourages women from wearing short shorts and skirts, shirts that do not cover the stomach, as well as any clothing that may be especially tight or revealing. Though some may view these standards as constricting, Rachel sees them as preparatory for her future career. “[Modest clothing] is nice because it covers everything and it’s versatile. I think it’s classy; it’s what people wear to work every day in the professional world.”

Others have also begun to take notice of Rachel’s work including online retailers and the fashion/lifestyle writers with whom she shares the blogosphere. Natalie Fielding, author of the trending blog, “Natalie Grace,” and a lover of fashion herself said of Rachel’s blog: “I think [it] does a good job of promoting modesty. I see the outfits she puts together and I want to recreate the same! I constantly think, ‘Oh, that is modest and cute, but more so the cute part.’ That says a lot about the subtle difference she is making.”

With such high praise from her colleagues as well as the support from her numerous sponsors, Rachel is starting to make a “splash” in the world of fashion, one that she hopes will ripple outward and inspire other girls—both Mormon and non-Mormon—to dress in a way that shows respect for themselves. “I want people to know that I’m happy with the way I am and the way I dress myself. I’m happy being modest. I hope that non-members [and] members who are maybe struggling with modesty can see that. I like the way I look, while still being modest.”

Confidence in oneself and positive self-image are very important to Rachel, and the example she is setting for women both in and out of the Mormon Church is made apparent by the support of her readers. Below each of her posts one finds an overwhelming amount of love from her fans, as well as their gratitude for what she is doing. When you read her blog, it becomes obvious what she has created is more than just a commentary on her lifestyle; it is a declaration of faith in both her standards and herself. When asked about her beliefs and her style, Rachel said this: “Modesty is a big part of my life. As a young girl, my mother always emphasized the importance of not dressing "of the world," but to dress in a way that reflected my inner beauty.” Her writing and her lifestyle not only attest to this principle, but highlight Rachel as living proof that while following trends may make your style current, it is being true to yourself that makes it timeless.

Cheers.

--Dapper Chris

Be sure to check Rachel out at: www.rachelsayumi.com