Clothing and modesty

There is modesty in my corner of Christianity, but it is a very low key sort. No uniforms unless you are a church deacon etc. The most notable thing we do is the women where decorative head scarves a practice going back to the early church, Judaism, etc. and mentioned once in the epistles. But this little humor video shows the fashions of church folk.

I’m gonna flaunt my inner RuPaul ( they dress more flamboyantly than women do) and say wear what you want to as long as it’s legal where you live! Now whether that looks good on you is another story . Talking to you people of Walmart!

Tellyontellyon said:

I was reading about the Quakers the other day...
Some Quakers, practice 'plain dress', there are other groups too who do this in varying degrees, the most famous being the Amish who have a sort of uniform.
But even without very 'distinctive' plain clothing, the Quakers were talking about just wearing clothes without branding, or not wearing a tie... or that sort of thing... Just dressing modestly.

So, I'm wondering what opinions might be about more generally and how Christians feel about these matters?
Do you follow Bible teachings about modesty and how you dress? Jewelry? Make-up? Etc etc?

Click to expand...

It's a passage about not overdressing for every occasion or underdressing for every occasion.
It's about blending in to conform to those societal norms around you. As such the Quakers stand out and are actually in violation of the dress code.

You don't dress in a bathing suit to a Sunday Morning church service nor should a Tuxedo be worn either. Both are inappropriate.

And that was what Paul was talking about. Granted it was pointed more at women because most women tend to have more clothing and jewelry options than men. But the example still applies.

Tellyontellyon said:

I was reading about the Quakers the other day...
Some Quakers, practice 'plain dress', there are other groups too who do this in varying degrees, the most famous being the Amish who have a sort of uniform.
But even without very 'distinctive' plain clothing, the Quakers were talking about just wearing clothes without branding, or not wearing a tie... or that sort of thing... Just dressing modestly.

So, I'm wondering what opinions might be about more generally and how Christians feel about these matters?
Do you follow Bible teachings about modesty and how you dress? Jewelry? Make-up? Etc etc?

Click to expand...

I'm kind of a plain guy myself. But if you like to read, look at the Apostolic Constitutions, section 2, Commandments to Men, and section 3, Commandments to Women. It fleshes out the Christian beliefs on modesty in dress.

CHURCH FATHERS: Apostolic Constitutions, Book I

Going 'overboard' regarding so called modesty, like the Amish etc, is of no concern to God.

Its what is in your heart and soul that matters most.

When you trying to fit in but still miss the mark.

Tellyontellyon said:

I was reading about the Quakers the other day...
Some Quakers, practice 'plain dress', there are other groups too who do this in varying degrees, the most famous being the Amish who have a sort of uniform.
But even without very 'distinctive' plain clothing, the Quakers were talking about just wearing clothes without branding, or not wearing a tie... or that sort of thing... Just dressing modestly.

So, I'm wondering what opinions might be about more generally and how Christians feel about these matters?
Do you follow Bible teachings about modesty and how you dress? Jewelry? Make-up? Etc etc?

Click to expand...

The Bible does not tell us what clothes to wear. Only that we ought to be modest and not try to emulate the other gender.

What is "modest" varies greatly depending on era and culture. And even within one era and one country, it will vary still between denominations and sub-cultures.

So you won't get any one, blanket answer on "what is modest, acceptable clothing for Christians".

This is a verse often cited for being "against" women wearing anything flashy: 1 Peter 3:3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. But note that it doesn't say "Don't wear these things", it says "don't let your beauty come from them". Immediately following is: 4 Rather, 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. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. Again, notice that it doesn't say "Don't wear these things", but rather that a woman should let her beauty reside within more than without. That the beauty of her spirit is far more valuable to God than the beauty of her clothes or hair. I do think it's a fine and difficult line for many women to walk. Placing a lot of time and effort into making yourself up is likely to leave you admiring your appearance moreso than if you didn't place a high priority on such things. And self-admiration is a very slippery slope. Not many people (male OR female) are good at restricting themselves to a modest "I look nice today!" and then not giving their appearance another thought, but it is possible. So, the risk of wrongdoing doesn't lie in the hairstyle or the earrings or the makeup, but in the heart of the one donning them.

For me personally, I prefer clothes that don't show cleavage or go too high above the knee, and nothing very tight or form-fitting. I don't wear makeup beyond a quick brush of mascara to make my invisible eyelashes visible I don't style my hair. I enjoy earrings, I find it's a lot of fun to pick out a pair each morning. I don't wear any other jewelry most of the time. I rarely stop and think about how I look during the day. If someone compliments my earrings, 99% of the time I have to stop and reach up and touch them to remember what I put on lol. I find it quite liberating to simply not think about my clothes or hair or makeup as I go about my day. It frees my mind to do other things.

JohnDB said:

View attachment 288121

When you trying to fit in but still miss the mark.

Click to expand...

did you ever see Alvin Ailey’s dance done to Rock My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham? The one with the women waving their fans. It’s part of his ballet Revelations. Here’s the Covid version

Brightmoon said:

did you ever see Alvin Ailey’s dance done to Rock My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham? The one with the women waving their fans. It’s part of his ballet Revelations. Here’s the Covid versionView attachment 288142

Click to expand...

Still haven't...
The link isn't working.

As @Brightmoon said, you'd better work!

This topic gets too much airplay. I could care less what anyone wears as long as you're decent. The specifics of attire are between you and God and your spouse if appropriate. I'm not policing anyone's clothing or entertaining whispers about someone's dress or hemline. I will shut it down.

I like quality and well tailored clothing. Now that I sew, I prefer natural fibers. I love heels, makeup, accessories, being pampered and beautifying myself. I don't expect the person beside me to emulate my look nor will I copy hers.

Busybodies fixating on what a person wears, what they spent, labels, etc. need to get a life and stop gossiping.

Yours in His Service,

~Bella

JohnDB said:

Still haven't...
The link isn't working.

Click to expand...

sorry it’s a photo my phone won’t link for some weird reason. It’s google time. The title is Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

This?

That's a lot of beauty for one stage!

Alvin Ailey’s dance troupe is professional . These are amateurs. Here’s the real performance of Revelations . Again this is a photo and it’s easier to find it by looking up the user info

I have no use for "modesty" in the sense of telling women how much of their bodies they can and cannot display in public.

The Quaker value of simplicity in life and dress appeals to me, though. (I prefer the word "simplicity" to "modesty", because of the unfortunate connotations that "modesty" has acquired.) The Quakers in my area most often wear simple, everyday attire that blends in with the attire that average Americans wear. They realized a few decades ago that older-style dress made them stand out, and the whole point is to avoid calling attention to oneself on account of dress.

Brightmoon said:

Alvin Ailey’s dance troupe is professional . These are amateurs. Here’s the real performance of Revelations . Again this is a photo and it’s easier to find it by looking up the user info View attachment 288164

Click to expand...

Well, goshdarnit, that video popped up on my search for the title you suggested. Sorry about that!

Got it this time!

Tellyontellyon said:

I was reading about the Quakers the other day...
Some Quakers, practice 'plain dress', there are other groups too who do this in varying degrees, the most famous being the Amish who have a sort of uniform.
But even without very 'distinctive' plain clothing, the Quakers were talking about just wearing clothes without branding, or not wearing a tie... or that sort of thing... Just dressing modestly.

So, I'm wondering what opinions might be about more generally and how Christians feel about these matters?
Do you follow Bible teachings about modesty and how you dress? Jewelry? Make-up? Etc etc?

Click to expand...

There are two parts to what Christians should wear.

One is modesty.
1 Timothy 2:9
Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire

Paul was talking to the church about a concern that he saw with them. The issue wasn't showing skin here because women at that time didn't show much skin and wore a long tunic down to the ankles. But over adornment was an issue. There is a line between wanting to look nice and vanity. So don't dress to simply show off and try and outdo others.

Then there is modesty to do with covering yourself appropriately which is why God clothed Adam and Eve.
Genesis 3
7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.
Once they realized they were naked God gave them clothing to cover themselves with since the fig leaves were not appropriate coverage. We are not told exactly what is enough coverage so that will be between God and the individual.

Then there is the time and culture.
Jesus wore a knee-length open tunic as this was appropriate male attire at that time.
You might see tunics at an historical re-enactment or at a fancy dress party but you would not expect to pass someone on the street dressed like that. Styles change.

Tellyontellyon said:

I was reading about the Quakers the other day...
Some Quakers, practice 'plain dress', there are other groups too who do this in varying degrees, the most famous being the Amish who have a sort of uniform.
But even without very 'distinctive' plain clothing, the Quakers were talking about just wearing clothes without branding, or not wearing a tie... or that sort of thing... Just dressing modestly.

So, I'm wondering what opinions might be about more generally and how Christians feel about these matters?
Do you follow Bible teachings about modesty and how you dress? Jewelry? Make-up? Etc etc?

Click to expand...

Modesty isn't just how you dress. How you dress is just a way to be modest or immodest. There's the way someone speaks, the way someone acts. The common thread is how badly does the person want to be noticed?

I dress to look decent and be comfortable, to not stick out one way or the other. I certainly do not dress in a provocative way, or pay more money to wear a shirt with a more expensive brand's logo on it. I'm male too, so in today's world, that simplifies matters for me.

Sketcher said:

Modesty isn't just how you dress. How you dress is just a way to be modest or immodest. There's the way someone speaks, the way someone acts. The common thread is how badly does the person want to be noticed?

I dress to look decent and be comfortable, to not stick out one way or the other. I certainly do not dress in a provocative way, or pay more money to wear shirt with a more expensive brand's logo on it. I'm male too, so in today's world, that simplifies matters for me.

Click to expand...

Brilliantly stated. Humility can manifest in many outward ways, but it always boils down to the heart.

I dress for simplicity and comfort. I've been called "less feminine" for that. Oh, well!