Should I follow the current clothing fashion?
Spring 2013 Fashion Show from Vogue UK
Fashion trends change constantly. You might think trends are a modern day invention, but they have been going on for quite some time. From the books I’ve read, even 200 years ago the fashion would change from year to year. Back then it might be lower necklines one year, fitted sleeves or puffed sleeves the next. Today, fashion seems to have no rules or guidelines to follow. Anything goes as long as people will wear it, and frankly I am quite shocked at what people are willing to wear (or not wear) today.
So, should we follow the current fashion trends? If fashion dictates that we wear orange tops and leather skirts this fall, are we going to follow?
I normally don’t follow fashion very much. I don’t read Vogue Magazine to stay on the bleeding edge of who’s who in the fashion industry, and what those who model their wares, have in store for us all come next season. Aside from being an exercise in futility, trying to stay current with the ever changing fashion of the day can be extremely expensive. What’s more, trying to be “fashionable” or “trendy” can be very frustrating for someone wanting to dress modestly. Though fashion and modesty need not be two mutually exclusive things, at some point, you will have to choose between them as they often do not play well together. Lets just say there is no such thing as a modest mini-skirt.
With that being said, I don’t think we should ignore fashion all together. If you look 20 years outdated in colors and old trends, be prepared to stand out. Its the first thing people will notice about you in most cases, and its a sure way to make a sour first impression. Now, I realize it’s a very fine line. We don’t want to focus on clothes and become obsessed with them, daydreaming up outfits to wear all day long and longing for clothes we don’t have. That’s what you call vanity. On the other hand, I don’t think we should throw all fashion aside and say to ourselves, “It doesn’t matter what I wear. I only care about serving the Lord, so who cares what I wear?”
We represent the King of Kings and we should seek to represent Him in a lovely, God honoring way. Our clothes can either bring shame or honor to the name of God. If we look sloppy and ill put together and everyone knows that we are followers of Christ, when people think of Christians they will think “sloppy”. That being said, if you step outside in a mini skirt that is so short you can’t even bend over, “hypocrite” is probably the word that will come to people’s mind (or worse).
I do enjoy fashion. Â I’m learning more and more about it since I own a clothing store. I just don’t make myself a slave to fashion. Just because it’s the “in” thing, does not mean that I have to wear it.
Here are a few ways you can dress with a classic look without updating your wardrobe every season:
Invest in some lovely solid color tops and bottoms. You can mix and match these for a classic look.
Women’s Long Sleeve Top available in 10 different colors.
Add color through accessories. A scarf, flower in the hair, or a cute belt will bring in the current color fashion if you so choose.
Shoes can provide a lovely splash of color. Consider investing in a few pairs of shoes that would cordinate with several outfits you own.
Grey Flats                    Red Ballet Flats                       Black Boots
Do you follow the current fashion trends of colors and styles? Do you like to dress modest with a modern look, or the beautiful old fashioned look?Â
Linked up at:
(I’m sorry for the bad englsih)
I agree with you!I believe it’s preferable to have a nice, classic, discrete (and modest!) wardrobe than a fashionable but inappropriate one…Real beauty it’s simple, discrete. And the central piece aren’t clothes, they are just a “plus”.
God Bless You!
My first filter is modesty, the second is whether I like it, and the third filter is fashion. I have my own unique style, but I do actually pay attention more to fashion than I really want to. That’s because I’m living in a very fashion conscious community at the moment. Even within our church, I’m afraid. So I’m on a mission to prove that you can look cute and up-to-date AND still be modest.
Love your “filters”. I have the same ones… Just never thought about them in this way. 😉
Jacqueline, I love your filtering. I do the same but I also have a price filter. Salvation Army or Goodwill, even garage sales. I guess that is my first filter?
I agree with your article. Most of the time as a christian it is impossible to be extremely trendy. I don’t think that should be a focus for us any way. Simple and understated is usually the best bet.
Blessings,
Amy Jo
Hi Caroline,
I believe that the real beauty is simple, classic and discrete. I personally try to achieve a balance. I like to dress modest with a modern-classic look. I don’t really follow fashion trends because they change very quickly and because at a certain point everyone dresses the same way.
God Bless You!
I need a new look! Most of my skirts are either maternity or 3-5 years old! I really want some nice riding boots too!!
I think you can have some nice things to wear, as long as they don’t have you! There are some classic clothing stores out there, and I sew. I like to be neatly put together without standing out either for being on the cutting edge or for being sloppy or dated. After all, I represent my King. Accessories help make a classic skirt and top, or a simple dress, pretty and stylish. It’s all about balance and priorities.
I have to question a lot of the “fashions” I see in magazines. They aren’t very realistic for everyday wear. (Although I do love the skirt with the bow) Simple lines and colors are very classic and what I primarily like to wear. A ruffle here and there doesn’t hurt either.
I agree with you, as well. Mostly, what I see as “fashionable” is what strikes me as something that I like. Very BROAD spectrum. Some days, fun and funky, while covering the body well. Other days, very feminine and frilly. My idea of fashion fluctuates so much, mainly with what kind of mood I’m in. 🙂 It’s always fun to be creative, but more than anything, to understand the greater meaning behind modest dress and behavior.
I have to agree with Laurel T. A lot of the clothes I see in magazines etc are just not something you’d see the average person wearing in public. They just look too weird (and quite frankly, they are often downright ugly, in my opinion). Caroline: Any chance you have the white shirt you linked to? I’ve been looking for one that is thick enough that I can wear it in public and want to be sure it’s not see thru before I purchase it.
Wow! I love that corduroy skirt! Great ideas to keep it simple!
I would very much agree with you on all of the above. I went back and forth for some time on whether or not to dress modestly and femininely in only skirts and dresses. Most of the examples I saw were very dated and frumpy looking. I knew that I didn’t want to have that kind of testimony. Then I met a couple of families who dressed modestly and looked put together in an up-to-date kind of way. It was after watching them for some time that I just knew I could do it, too. That and my daughter started wearing skirts only and I just loved how lovely and feminine she looked : )You can read about that here: http://atthewateringhole.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-7-someone-who-inspires-you.html
Shalom,
Julie
Are high heels considered immodest?
My daughter thinks she is old enough now to start wearing them for extra height.
Blessings
Deut. 31:4