Dress for the Occasion

When it comes to the way young people dress, most will say the clothes they wear are a way to express their individuality. They view their wardrobe as part of who and what they are, and want to stand out from the crowd—to be unique!

Yet in reality, almost without exception, they are simply following the crowd. Rather than standing out and daring to be different (in the correct way), they seek to fit in. Believing they make their own wardrobe choices, they don the latest outfits decided for them by a select few in the fashion industry who have degenerate minds and are wholly cut off from God.

Make no mistake. The clothes you wear and your fashion choices trumpet loudly who and what you are. Like it or not, others form opinions about you based on what you wear.

What kind of impression do you want to make? And on whom? Whose opinion counts most?

Today’s Dress

Spending even the shortest amount of time in a shopping mall of the Western world reveals the sorry state of young people’s dress. The clothing of choice? Jeans and T-shirts. While there is nothing inherently wrong with jeans and a pullover shirt (they have their time and place), many wearing them look as though they just crawled out of bed, having forgotten to wash their face and comb their hair. Amazingly, some actually strive for this messy, unkempt look, preferring to appear like something the cat dragged home. They spend many dollars on clothes with holes, tears and cuts already in them. In bygone years, a person (of any age) would have been embarrassed to wear such garments. At times, due to financial circumstances there was no other choice. But today, it is considered a desirable clothing look!

Strolling up and down through the mall, adolescent fashions assault the eyes. Boys with the crotch of their pants hanging at or even below the knees—while at the same time exposing undergarments. One wonders if their parents taught them how to pull up their pants or wear a belt! Untucked T-shirts with every indecent or suggestive slogan imaginable emblazoned on them front and back. Ball caps worn every way but the right way complete the outfit. It used to be custom and evidence of good manners to remove one’s hat when indoors.

Wittingly or unwittingly these young men are copying the dress of criminals and gang members.

Young ladies are no better, parading around in short skirts, overly tight pants and revealing tops. Such dress was once seen only on prostitutes. Some even wear clothes that have the style and appearance of pajamas, but are considered everyday wear. This type of clothing often has words written across the backside of the bottoms to draw attention.

Any sense of decency, modesty and a chaste appearance is long gone.

Boys and girls alike push the limits to the extreme by wearing bizarre, outlandish clothes or dressing completely in black with matching hair and makeup. God’s Word calls them “strange children” (Hos. 5:7).

These dress styles are a poor reflection on young people—and on their parents. Sadly, they do not even know enough to be embarrassed dressing this way.

Rare is the young person who chooses to rise above the multitudes, dressing in a manner and style that reflects high standards.

Every so often, one does stand out from among the crowd with neatly combed hair and a nicely dressed, tidy appearance.

Does this describe you?

Clothing Choices Matter

While some view clothing selection as simply a matter of choice, the Bible places great importance on proper dress. In the parable of the wedding supper, a king (God the Father) is pictured as calling many to the wedding for his son (Christ). Among those attending the wedding, the king “saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. [He had no explanation for his improper dress.] Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matt. 22:11-13).

Jesus uses garments to indicate righteousness or unrighteousness, in which case the lack of a wedding garment signified unrighteousness. He would not use such symbolism if the clothes a person wears did not matter.

Take a moment to think about your role as a young ambassador of Christ. How well are you doing in the area of your appearance and dress in representing the Church He is building? When those outside the Church see you, what comes to their mind? What kind of impression are you making on them? Can they tell that you are different from other young people by your appearance?

There is an old saying: “Clothes make the man.” Well, they make the young man and young lady, too! When you dress better, you are automatically treated better. Have you ever noticed this?

While you cannot always dress in your best every minute of the day, you should dress for the occasion, activity or setting. What may be appropriate for a picnic (shorts, blouse or a pullover shirt) is not when dining at an upscale restaurant (dressy apparel).

Pajamas are great to sleep in, but wearing such clothing in public should not be done. Jeans and T-shirts are fine for working, playing or just “hanging out,” but aren’t for every occasion.

Fashion designers have made it difficult for young women to find clothing that is not too tight, too revealing, or both. Clothing that is form-fitting, low-cut or with plunging necklines, short skirts, skirts with high slits, and low-rise jeans fill the racks of the average store. It is a challenge to be different, but it can be done with some effort and planning.

While clothing does not need to hang on a young lady like a burlap sack, neither should it look “painted on.” Clothing that displays a bare back, bare midriff or cleavage—either sitting or bending over—should not be worn. Skirts and dresses should reach to at least the middle of the knee, while standing and sitting.

This scripture should guide young ladies in the Church: “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness [with a sense of honor] and sobriety; not with broided [plaited] hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array” (I Tim. 2:9).

Strive for moderation, which means not going to extremes. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). In the area of clothing, this translates to staying in the “middle-of-the-road”—avoiding unusual or radical styles, fits, color combinations and so forth. On the other hand, one should not go to the other extreme and wear dull and dreary clothing.

Philippians 4:5 applies to young men also. They should avoid wearing clothing that is too tight or form fitting, or pants that ride or hang too low. Shirts should be tucked in and belts used to keep pants at the waistline. Ball caps should be worn with the bill facing front, and any hat should be removed when indoors.

Also, keep your hair neatly combed and of a conservative style. And don’t forget! Undergarments are just that—to be worn and kept under your outer clothes, not displayed for the public to see. (This applies to young ladies as well.)

Those who would have God’s blessings and protection are told to come out of the world (II Cor. 6:17-18; Rev. 18:4). This includes its outlandish, provocative and suggestive fashions. Never should you wear anything that sends or promotes wrong messages.

It doesn’t matter if you are wrong with the entire world, so long as you are right with God and His standards. It is, after all, His opinion that counts. Strive to dress and look your best for every occasion. Honor God, Jesus Christ and your parents. Dare to truly be different from this world’s young people, and let your clothing choices show it.