In essence then, you say it's reasonable that a church insist on certain dress codes, but why is the way one dresses so important? So important as to generate codes and guidelines?
Not too long ago it was unthinkable for a man to be in public without a hat. The loss of this expectation may seem trivial, but now I often see men walk around in public in what is barely more than their underwear. What am I saying here? I'm saying that neglect of the little things results in an
inevitable slide in the big things. Yesterday we lost the hat, and now men are walking around wearing food stained singlets. What you may see as "liberating" I see as an ever faster slide to the lowest common denominator. If there be but one place left in our culture that isn't completely absorbed by the cultural decline, it ought to be the Chruch.
What kind of compelling "values" would dictate that a skirt that comes just above the knee is unacceptable while one that breaks at the knee is just fine? What kind of compelling "values" would dictate that slacks made of blue linen are okay while slacks made out of blue denim (jeans) are not? Why must a dress have shoulder straps at least two inches wide? Why are such things important in attending church? (These three dictates were found online.)
I can't possibly answer that because I can't possibly know the values of each and every hypothetical community that may have such standards. In my opinion, I'd be thrilled if women dressed (for anything) more often like the example in the first photo. I see nothing objectionable and it would be a massive improvement over what passes these days. (Short-shorts and a tank-top). But in any case it isn't much to ask that when you attend a place that is sacred to a community, you respect them. You take off your shoes at a Hindu temple, you cover your head in a synagogue, and when you enter a church you dress to the standards of that church community. You don't have to like it, and you don't have to be there.
I for one would be happy if people put just a little bit more effort to present themselves in a way that tells me that they a modicum have self-respect.
American, but it applies just as much to Australia which has suffered the same cultural decline.