christian fashion: Wear it modestly!
Christian fashion can be modest; be in good taste; and not offend our brothers and sisters in Christ. You and I like to be in style most of time, and it can be done even with the current non-modest fashions given out there.
Perhaps just a few tweaks and adjustments is all you may need to make and/or redesign your outfit to look great, tasteful, and yet appropriate for all those occasions and events, and for all who may come in contact with you while wearing it.
What you may think of as fashion or stylish may not be to someone else, especially in a worldly sense, but we as believers and followers of Christ should know and understand immediately if what we are wearing is offensive to those who are in the body of Christ. In that sense, Christian fashion should not be at all offensive to the believer or the unbeliever. It must be modest for the most part and not offend another person.
You don't want to cause others to sin or become a stumbling block to those who are weak in their faith.(1 Corinthians 8:9)
Remember that wonderful Bible verse that chimes in our hearts and heads, which remind us of this truth? 1 Corinthians 10:32-33 exhorts the believer, saying, "Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor the Gentiles: nor to the church of God. Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."
Don't confuse christian fashion with worldly fashion
You know, when you think of "fashion", you're looking at those particular styles that kind of come and go and flow with the time, era, or season they come in. Every year you'll see a different line of fashion from various designers for each type of clothing they create. Some are genuinely interesting in how they are created!
Even within the confines of Christian fashion, there are various trends that come and go within fashion lines as they are more expressive and sometime dramatic in appearance, generally not lasting for too many years. However, you may enjoy a particular "fashionable"piece of clothing or wardrobe line, and yet can put your own style to it, or twist to the original article. You can truly create your own stylish, modest wardrobe within a particular fashion's line of clothing.
What we tend to do many times, especially if we come upon a really cute outfit or a sharp-looking suit is to quickly think about how good it will look on us, or the attention we may get from others in wearing those clothes. I don't know about you, but most of the time I am thinking of the feeling of pride and joy in which those particular pieces of clothing will offer me if I wear them.
Of course, that is fleshly-thinking isn't it! That's what Satan wants to do--is to get us to concentrate on the feelings we get out of wearing certain clothing, or dressing in a particular way that turns the heads of people towards us, which can ultimately creates feelings of lust and desires in our heart that are not pleasing to the Lord.
As believers and followers of Christ; however, this is not what our dear Lord would have you or me do and/or act. If we are to be salt and light, and a beacon of hope to those who are perishing without Him, we must look first, and heed His instructions on what is correct in the line of our apparel.
You may be a bit confused as to what kinds of clothing to buy for yourself and your family, especially when all you see in today's clothing stores are articles that scream out "sexy, sexy, success, and more sexy"! So, what do you look for when designing, sewing, or purchasing Christian fashion, but making it out to be modest and tasteful as well? Well, consider these pointers as your guide:
- Does it fit loosely or tightly? Believe it or not, people judge us on what we wear. No, it's not fair or right, but it's just human nature to do so. Clothing that is too loose can possibly give others the idea that you are lazy, a procrastinator, or that you just don't care about how you look (especially from behind), such as with slacks, shorts, or blue jeans; doesn't matter if you are a male or female. Although there are many outfits (dresses, skirts, scarves, etc. that look very nice and feminine when they are draped over the shoulder or bodice of the person). Sometimes this layered look is quite attractive and will not give notice to the body's shape or form. Tight-fitting clothing on the other hand, show and display the curvature, shape, bulges, fat, and give definite notice to one's body, which should not be present in the clothing of believers.
- Is it too flashy, gaudy, or flamboyant? Usually you don't see this portrayed much within the realms of Christian fashion or style. Most times we see this trend among unbelievers, or those who, although may be new believers in Christ, may not have yet been taught or pointed out the meaning and/or ramifications of wearing these types of clothing. Sometimes these types of worldly fashions are worn by those whose personalities and characters are a bit flashy, flamboyant, or dramatic. I've noticed people here in NYC where I live, who walk down the street or ride the subways wearing crazy, colorful, extremely sexy/sensual, outlandish outfits and with all the accessories to match that I notice myself turning my head toward them with my jaws hanging down because of the sight of them and what they wear! I think to myself, "Well, how dare they wear that!" And yet, many times it's obvious to see that that person wants to be seen, heard, or noticed in some way, and are desperate to get that attention by using their clothing to make a statement for that attention. Ask yourself if what you wear makes a bold statement to the world that you are seeking attention from people. Oftentimes, just by wearing these types of clothing may create danger for some. Nine times out of ten you'll get the attention you really don't want to come your way!
- Does what I wear point to certain unsightly areas or private parts of my body? This is indeed an area of concern, especially for the believer. Christian fashion is usually marked by modest apparel and more loose-fitting (off the body) clothing, and does not direct the eyes along the inside or outside curves of one's shape and body. You'll see tight, very form-fitting, low-cut, and very short length skirts/dresses these days for every man, woman, or child which lead the eyes up and around curves to those private parts of the body in which we must keep hidden. When I am out and about within the city and come across these young men, women, and even children wearing these kinds of clothes, it's so very obvious, but heartbreaking to see how their clothes attract the wrong kind of attention, which could most definitely get them into trouble. Men and boys alike are drawn to the breasts, legs, thighs, shoulders, hips, buttocks, hair, and eyes of the female body. Equally, you'll find young girls and women oogling over a man's tight jeans, and opened shirt which reveals his muscles, chest hair, buttocks, tight physique, and all his other man parts! This is all considered lustful of which one is obeying the flesh instead of the Spirit of God, and is not in the least of what would be considered as Christian fashion.
biblical perspective on christian fashion
Now, there are no words given in today's terminology of "Christian fashion" present in the Bible, but there are various instructions to follow as to what is considered proper Christian attire and what is not. This way, you and I will not become deceived and can discern what is truly modest compared to what is not in the way of Christian fashion.
Consider these following passages of scripture as you examine this issue in your own life:
- Isaiah 61:10 says beautifully, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels."
- Deuteronomy 22:11 instructed the Jews at the time, "Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of wollen and linen together."
- Ephesians 4:22-24 says, "That ye put off the former conversation of the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that yet put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
- Deuteronomy 22:5 warns us, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man; neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are an abomination unto the Lord thy God."
- 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. But (which becometh women professing godliness with good works)."
- 1 Peter 3:3-4 tells us, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." Finally,
- Romans 8:5, we are reminded that, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."
changing worldly attire into christian fashion
There are ways to change a dress, skirt, shorts, pants, suit, or mostly any type of clothing that has been made or designed to be sexy, too sensual, too loose, too tight, too low-cut, or just too ugly into something that would be considered as proper Christian fashion.
Now, you may say or think that there is no way in which you can change or modify an outfit that is not fit to be worn as is otherwise; however, even if you have a very small knowledge of sewing, placing buttons, lowering or extending a hem (or adding to the length with lace or fabric), or whatever it might be, you may still be able to alter it in some way that will change the look and feel of the outfit.
Furthermore, if you have no sewing skills whatsoever, or do not want to tackle that kind of task for yourself, there are tons of people (men and women alike) who already know how to do these things and are happy to help you. Just ask around!
Just give that person a detailed idea of how you want to recreate the article of clothing to make it wearable, and to make it look more like it's Christian fashion.
If you don't have enough money, then do some kind of bartering for it. (Examples are: babysitting their children, fixing their car, cook or bake for them, teach their children a useful skill, do their plumbing for them, take a construction job for them, etc.) There are so many ways around something that needs to get done.
You may also find that you have clothing and other outfits that are outdated and need a bit of Christian fashion expertise from other ladies in your church or community. My mother used to make me and my sisters dresses from pretty bedsheets or curtain that had lovely designs on them. She and my father had very little money to live on with five children to feed, clothe, and take care of. She found ways to buy fabric, notions, and other materials needed to make shirts, pants, ties, and suits for my dad and brother.
It's not the fact of being able to sew or design an article of clothing from what looks like the world to that of a more Christian modest style, but you can also become resourceful in where you get the fabric, notions, and materials to recreate your outfits!
Just ask around and you will find people who can help you come up with a great outfit that suits you, looks great on you, but also one that is appropriate attire for a Christian person to wear and not be ashamed of what he/she is wearing whenever out in the world and in public; something that looks and represents Christian fashion and design.
Let the thought and fact that you have been placed here on this earth and in this time for a particular purpose of God trump over what your fleshly and earthly desires may want. Many of us have the tendency to forget that each of us was created and made, not just by God, but for Him, and thus, for His purposes alone.
Let these passages guide your thinking processes whenever you decide what to wear, what your Christian fashion or style should be, and so on. Consider the following verses:
- John 17:14-16 Jesus said, "I have given them Thy word; and the world hath hateth them, because they are not of the world. I pray now that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
- Collosians 3:2 says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."
- John 15:19 reminds us, saying, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world; therefore, the world hateth you."
- 1 John 2:15-17 also states, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father, but of the world." Also, think on this while considering what type of Christian fashion and lifestyle you want to present to the world as you wear the appropriate clothing that a believer would be seen in.
- John 18:36 says, "Jesus answered,'My kingdom is not of this world: If My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but is My kingdom not from hence.'" And finally, we see in...
- Romans 12:1-2 exhorts, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be e transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
In conclusion, I want to say that God does not expect perfection out of you when it comes to wearing Christian fashion and having stylish clothing, as long as you are representing Him as your Lord and King to the world.
In a world of turmoil, violence, strife, and sexual perversion, you want to represent yourself as a beacon and light that shines for Christ. Matthew 5:16 gives you and me this command to, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Think not just on showing yourself out there in front of others as someone who is stylish, fashionable, or trendy. Yes, that's nice, but you really don't want to be known for this, not nearly as much as being known for that person who demonstrates his/her love and passion for Christ and for spreading the gospel to others.
How could you do this and be effective if you are wearing worldly-types of clothes, right? So consider others, your spiritual testimony, and the kind of Christian fashion and lifestyle you want to be happy in, as well as in pleasing the Lord, and you will have peace, joy, and happiness while honoring Him at the same time!
May the Lord bless you and all your efforts to serve Him!
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