[DJ MacWoW]

We may be out of "fashion" and disappointed in current trends but we know what manners are and passed them along. My daughter was born when my sons were 10 and 14. She owns gloves, can pour tea and knows the difference between a hat and a bonnet. And her bra straps never show, won't wear low cut things and usually keeps her arms covered to her elbows. She has never liked showing "too much skin". I wear sleeveless but she won't. Finding prom dresses was a nightmare. She found chiffon jackets to wear over them. And was complimented by the boys on how she looked. Ladies never go out of fashion no matter what anyone says.

[Constitutions Grandchild]

She sounds lovely, and I'm sure you are so proud of her, as you should be.

All I can advise is be comfortable in your own skin. Etiquette was always based on the Golden Rule and practicality — there was no other point to it. Some of it was over-the-top, but most was a simple bow to making others feel at home and being able to enjoy each other’s company. As long as no one is uncomfortable, including you, you've met all the requirements.

As a dear, dear friend once said, “It's okay to break the rules — so long as you know you have done so.” I agree.

[luckystarmom]

I’m not very prim and proper. My 12 year old twin daughters do not own gloves, and they don’t know how to pour tea.

However, they are very modest. They still wear shorts under their dresses because they are worried about seeing them. They won’t wear 2 piece bathing suits except for tankinis that cover everything, and that is usually only at home. They won’t wear spaghetti straps. They don’t even like to wear tank tops with shorts. They also only wear bermuda shorts.

I have not set these dressing rules up. This is all on their own. They’ve heard a lot about dressing modestly at church, and I’ll make comments about clothes that other girls wear. However, I’ve never had to make clothes an issue for my daughters.

Also, one of my daughter’s friends is thinking of getting a third piercing in her ear, and my daughter is trying to convince her not to. My daughter thinks it’s stupid and gross.

I hope it continues through their teen years.