FASHION GUIDELINES FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN

"…she maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple.” (Proverbs 31:22)

While some people dress up in costly clothes and jewelry to please themselves, others want to be admired for their wealth, power, or social status. Some dress in accordance with certain fashions to please others, others want to be accepted by their peers by dressing like them. What is thought appropriate and beautiful also depends on the culture and climate.

Proverbs 31 which lists the qualities of a virtuous woman says in Verse 22, “she maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple."  It is therefore scriptural for a woman to want to look attractive. Tapestry is beautiful and usually embroidered in intricate designs. Silk feels luxurious. Purple was a color reserved for royalty or for those prosperous enough to afford the dye.

The Christian must however remember not to follow fashion blindly so that what they wear serves to reflect the picture of the God they serve. Their inner renewal must be reflected in their outward appearance. This means that their dress should be decent, showing respect for God and other peoples sensibilities. To dress decently implies that clothing must provide sufficient covering for the body. This principle is especially relevant today when some fashions are aimed at exploiting the powerful sex drives of the human body by showing too much skin. However, this does not in any way justify violence against those considered to be indecently attired.

We can also dress immodestly by neglecting our personal appearance. Genesis 35:2  says "Be clean and change your garments," In accordance with this it is clear that God expects us to be clean and appropriately dressed at all times, outwardly symbolizing the inward cleansing and renewal by Christ. There is a popular saying, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness".

No matter how fashionably we dress, we need to realize that beauty begins inside a person. A gentle, modest and loving character gives light to the face that cannot be duplicated by the best jewellery in the world. A carefully groomed and well decorated exterior is artificial and cold unless inner beauty is present.

Paul said in 1Timothy 2:9-10 ‘I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds appropriate for women who profess to worship God” and in 1Peter 3:3-4 we read “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”

We should not be obsessed with fashion, but neither should we be so unconcerned that we do not bother to care for ourselves. Hygiene, grooming and neatness are important, but even more important is a person’s attitude and inner spirit.

This article first appeared in the June--July 2010 issue of Woman of Faith magazine. Copyright Woman of Faith Magazine. All rights reserved. For comments write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it