Addressing Dressing

Hey KSers!

Just read an article written by the staff at SYFC on 'Addressing Dressing' and I thought it might be good for all to read :)

"Let us now turn to God's Word for principles on dressing. WHile the verses chosen address the ladies - since adornment and dressing is an area with which women are often more concerned than men - the principles also apply to the rest of us.

1 Peter deals with holiness of the believer. 1:14-15 says,

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation

Holiness is demanded in all areas of life, including dressing... God values beauty (1 Peter 3:4). The question, then, is do we reflect the beauty God has created and godly values - through outward adornment or through good inner character that shines through attitudes?

Once we are convinced about dressing in holiness, we no longer ask 'how holey is too holey', or 'how short is too short'. Holiness is an attitude and direction we pursue, not just a line we try not to cross.

Since holiness includes our dressing, what guidelines are there for dressing?

In like manner also, that women adore 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 Tim 2:9-10

The three keywords are 'modest', 'shamefacedness' and 'sobriety'.
'Modest' denotes attire that is appropriate and reflects good behaviour.
'Shamefacedness' means dressing with a proper sense of honour, with reverence, regard and respect for others. Our dressing impacts others and so we dress with consideration for others.
'Sobriety' suggests self-control and soundness of mind. The mind is involved in one's attire. It literally means having a dress sense that is with restraint.

As we contemplate the length of skirts and tops, height of waist or hipline, sheerness of material, tightness of fit and the messages of prints, there are speific dimensions to also ponder:

Trend-specific: Bob Kauflin the author of How Do You Adress Modesty said, 'As trends change from year to year, we just want to continue to be thinking critically about what might not serve others'.

Occasion-specific: Different occasions demand different attire. That is why swimmers change from their swimsuits into tracksuits for medal presentations. While appropriate attire is acceptable to the society, believers still need to assess that acceptability. For example, should we condone ladies wearing tiny dresses at proms?

Age-specific: It is weird to see old people trying to dress young. Likewise, it is inappropriate that we, teens dress like children or dress too old. Since young people are eager to grow up and dress up like adults, let us ensure that we do not regret growing up too fast by keeping to a wardrobe that helps others relate to ourselves as teenages.

As we look to Christ, let us clothe ourselves, youths, with holiness that reflects love for God and modesty that reflects love for people.