When the woman with a new-found feeling for tznius dresses in appropriate garments, this in turn consolidates the gains she has made thus far and engenders within her an even deeper and more profound feeling for tznius than she had felt until now. As time goes on and her dress and conduct improve even further, they will continue to develop within her an even deeper and richer feeling for this cherished trait.
We are taught that ×—×™×¦×•× ×™×•×ª מעוררת ×ת ×”×¤× ×™×ž×™×•×ª – “the physical actions of a person affect his way of thinking, his feeling and his whole inner being.” [1. Sefer haChinuch, Mitzva 16] Therefore, dressing and behaving in a refined way has the effect of refining her and developing within her greater and deeper feelings for all that Torah Judaism stands for.
As a woman’s sensitivities improve, she will appreciate that a dress or outfit which appeared to be perfectly Kosher (being sufficiently long, having a perfect neckline and adequate sleeves) is in fact inappropriate for the noble character of Jewish women and girls. Although the measurements are in order, it is coarse, overly loud or ostentatious in color, style, trimmings, buttons, belt, accessories, or otherwise. It is therefore only suitable for those who were not given the nobility and eidelkeit inborn in Jewish women.
Just as a stain on a piece of clothing that is not noticed in a dimly lit room becomes very evident and obvious once the room is well illuminated, so too, a lack of refinement that is dismissed as unimportant as long as tznius is just a vague idea with little significance, becomes a problem once the person becomes more tznua (modest) and develops a keener feeling for the sanctity of the Jewish people.
Although at the outset this woman or girl had little feeling for true tznius of dress and conduct, nevertheless, as a result of removing negative influences and practicing tznius, a feeling for tznius is awakened within her that becomes progressively deeper and deeper. It becomes apparent to her that this trait is the royal stamp of the Jewish woman and that the more perfect her tznius, the more brightly will shine all her other fine qualities, as tznius brings to the surface the inner regality of the Jewish woman.
This process is described by our Sages with the words ××“× ×ž×§×“×© עצמו מעט, מקדשין ×ותו הרבה – “If a person sanctifies himself in a moderate measure he is assisted from Heaven to attain a much richer and more profound measure of sanctification.” [2. Toras Kohanim, end of Shemini] Conducting oneself in a sublime and virtuous manner, engenders a further and deeper urge to live with this type of conduct.
Very enlightening and all so true. People who are neatly, cleanly and appropriately dressed usually make a much better presentation than someone who is sloppy, careless and dressed inappropriately for what ever occasion he/she attends.