Modesty Matters ( and so does flattering )

As you may know, Mimi is big into the performing venues. She's involved in theater, and several singing and dancing classes - and she loves it. All of it. I love knowing how much she loves it, because it gives me leverage. And as you may also know, moms are always looking for leverage. Those grades don't just fix themselves.

Anyway, one of the children's groups she participates in is a singing and dancing group. They work hard and have a lot of fun! But the costumes they wear when they perform are - well, let's just say questionable. It's a halter-top-short-skirt-flashy-fabric deal. The first time I saw the costume was when I went in to order it about 3 months after she had joined the class. I balked, but we were only a few weeks away from the whole Christmas performance season, so even though I recognized it as what might be a first step on a very slippery slope, I just did it.

Recently, though, Mimi has been talking about moving from the children's group to the teen group. There are 4 lds girls in the program that are around her age, and 2 of them have recently been asked to move up.

Now I've SEEN the costume for this group and frankly, I'm a little puzzled as to how any mom - lds or not - is OK with this little number.

I mean, even if you're NOT concerned about modesty, you've GOT to be concerned with at least visual appeal.
It looks like a strapless um, silky tube top with a bunch of same color scarves sewn on as a skirt.

- - - hang on and I'll try to find a picture. You need a visual for this - - -


Ok picture this as strapless, and even more disturbing, with the ruching that you see down the front here, going all the way around the dress, not just down the front.
Do you know ANYBODY who looks good in full body ruching?
I don't think even Paris or Britney would dare to be seen in public in this. Well, I can't vouch for Britney after the VMA awards fiasco. But if she were, um, clear-headed I mean.

And frankly, it's just distracting. When I watch this group perform, all I can see is that these costumes are unflattering.

So in talking to the other lds moms, I'm surprised that they seem to be quite complacent with the whole costume thing. I asked them if they were going to say anything. If nothing else, at least register concern so that when the NEXT costume is chosen for the group (they can't keep these same costumes forever, can they?), maybe more modesty would be taken into consideration.

But both the moms who are currently affected are not interested in stirring the pot. They've decided that it's just a costume. Like you'd wear a swim suit to a swim meet, or, ahem, running shorts to a marathon.
I see their point, and I'm not knocking their parenting. Everyone does it differently, and they have some terrific girls that they can be very proud of.

But I've already told Mimi that the little strapless short skirt number will not likely be a part of her wardrobe. And even though she's still at least a year away from being invited to the new team, she's very concerned.

I don't know... I'm not saying that I'm completely ruling it out at this point. I know how important this stuff is to her. But there will at least be some discussion. Some raising of parental concern.
They already think I'm a fanatic down there. Might as well go for the burka.