Dress Reform
Have you ever wondered if God is pleased with the way in which you dress? As Christian men and women, we are ambassadors of Christ in every area of our daily life. Fashion is something we are taught to care about through a diverse range of advertisements, and therefore we are influenced to follow the ever changing new trends and “ beauty standards”. But if we say that we follow our Lord and Saviour, who is the “same yesterday, and today, and forever” ( Hebrews 13:8 ) then is not studying the fashion which He highlights of the utmost importance?
Men’s vs Women’s Clothing
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Deuteronomy 22:5
Abomination = ‘a disgusting thing’ ( Strong’s Concordance H8441)
A Distinction in Dress of Men and Women—There is an increasing tendency to have women in their dress and appearance as near like the other sex as possible and to fashion their dress very much like that of men, but God pronounces it abomination. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety...” 1 Timothy 2:9. Child Guidance 427.2
God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women, and has considered the matter of sufficient importance to give explicit directions in regard to it; for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime. 1 Testimony 460.1
“There is still another style of dress which is adopted by a class of so-called dress reformers. They imitate the opposite sex as nearly as possible. They wear the cap, pants, vest, coat, and boots, the last of which is the most sensible part of the costume. Those who adopt and advocate this style of dress carry the so-called dress reform to very objectionable lengths. Confusion will be the result. Some who adopt this costume may be correct in their general views upon the health question, but they would be instrumental in accomplishing vastly more good if they did not carry the matter of dress to such extremes. 1 Testimony 459.7
Side note: In the time that Ellen White wrote this, which is the 1800’s, the ‘so-called dress reform’ was about women starting to dress like men. Dresses and skirts were the fixated clothing for women in Western societies up until approximately the 1960’s ( Some wore pants in private or when performing a limited range of activities, such as exercise or chores. However, this may not have been the case amongst women who obeyed the scriptures).
…”buoyed by the women’s rights movement, pants became firmly established as popular and appropriate clothing options for women at home, in public, and in many workplaces”. https://www.britannica.com/story/when-did-women-start-wearing-pants
Today, when we refer to dress reform, it is about women returning back to the initial clothing of dresses and skirts established by God.
Modesty
"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array”. 1 Timothy 2:9
Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price". 1 Peter 3:3-4
Dangers in the Love of Dress—The love of dress endangers the morals and makes woman the opposite of the Christian lady, characterized by modesty and sobriety. Showy, extravagant dress too often encourages lust in the heart of the wearer and awakens base passions in the heart of the beholder. God sees that the ruin of the character is frequently preceded by the indulgence of pride and vanity in dress. He sees that the costly apparel stifles the desire to do good. Child Guidance 416.4
Avoid Extremes—Do not occupy your time by endeavoring to follow all the foolish fashions in dress. Dress neatly and becomingly, but do not make yourself the subject of remarks either by being overdressed or by dressing in a lax, untidy manner. Act as though you knew that the eye of heaven is upon you, and that you are living under the approbation or disapprobation of God. Child Guidance 415.1
Christ Sounded a Caution—Christ noticed the devotion to dress, and He cautioned, yea, He commanded, His followers not to bestow too much thought upon it. “Why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” ... Pride and extravagance in dress are sins to which woman is especially prone; hence these injunctions relate directly to her. Of how little value are gold or pearls or costly array, when compared with the meekness and loveliness of Christ! Child Guidance 415.4
(This is not to say that the scriptures on modesty do not apply to men also).
Health
Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation. If the limbs are properly clothed, fewer skirts are needed. These should not be so heavy as to impede the motion of the limbs, nor so long as to gather the dampness and filth of the ground, and their weight should be suspended from the shoulders. The dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood, nor a free, full, natural respiration. The feet should be suitably protected from cold and damp. Clad in this way, we can take exercise in the open air, even in the dew of morning or evening, or after a fall of snow or rain, without fear of taking cold. Exercise in the invigorating air of heaven is necessary to a healthy circulation of the blood. It is the best safeguard against colds, coughs, and the internal congestions which lay the foundation of so many diseases. True dress reform regulates every article of clothing. If those ladies who are failing in health would lay off their fashionable robes, clothe themselves suitably for out-door enjoyment, and exercise in the open air, carefully at first, increasing the amount as they can endure it, many of them might recover health, and live to bless the world with their example and the work of their hands. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 89.1
The dangers resulting from compression of the waist are not realized by the majority of women, though many able pens have treated upon the subject. Many claim that tight-lacing is now nearly or quite abandoned, and such may think these remarks are uncalled-for; but it is true today that the clothing of most women is worn too tight for the proper action of the vital organs. Every article of dress upon the person should be worn so loose that in raising the arms the clothing will be correspondingly lifted. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 88.2
Parental Duty
Oh, that mothers and fathers would realize their responsibility and accountability before God! What a change would take place in society! Children would not be spoiled by being praised and petted, or made vain by indulgence in dress. Child Guidance 141.3
An Old-fashioned Idea—To train children to walk in the narrow path of purity and holiness is thought an altogether odd and old-fashioned idea. This is prevalent even among parents who profess to worship God, but their works testify that they are worshipers of mammon. They are ambitious to compete with their neighbors and to compare favorably, in the dress of themselves and their children, with the members of the church to which they belong. Child Guidance 417.4
Mother, do you want your child to live and wear the bloom of health? Then teach her to dress healthfully. If you love her and desire her good, why do you teach her by your example that it is no sin to mar the human form divine? What reason can you render to the Creator for deforming his handiwork? Turn away from the fashion plates, and study the human organism. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, and we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God. How can Christian mothers be worshipers at the shrine of fashion, and yet preserve their loyalty to the God of heaven? It is impossible; “ye cannot serve God and mammon.” [Luke 16:13].You cannot devote your time and talents to the world, and yet keep your mind and body in a condition to do the work committed to you, of training your children for God, and aiding them in a physical development that shall be a blessing to them to the end of life. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 91.1
Little boys also are dressed so as to leave the lower limbs with far less protection than the upper part of the body. The limbs, being remote from the center of circulation, demand greater protection, instead of less. The veins which convey the blood to the extremities are large, providing for the flow of a sufficient quantity of blood to afford warmth and nutrition. But when the blood is chilled from these parts, the veins contract, and the circulation is retarded. Not only do the extremities suffer from cold, but through lack of nutrition the limbs do not attain their natural development. A good circulation purifies the blood, and secures health; while a poor circulation renders the blood impure, and induces congestion of the vital organs. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 91.2
Mothers, why not clothe your boys and girls comfortably and properly? Let their dress be simple, loose, and comfortable; clothe their limbs, and especially the ankles, warmly and evenly; then let them go out and exercise in the open air, and live to enjoy health and happiness. It will take moral courage to break away from the chains of fashion, and dress and educate your children with reference to health; but the result will abundantly repay all the self-denial and inconvenience occasioned. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 91.3
Teach Simplicity and Trust—We should teach our children lessons in simplicity and trust. We should teach them to love, and fear, and obey their Creator. In all the plans and purposes of life His glory should be held paramount; His love should be the mainspring of every action. Child Guidance 141.4
Jewelry & Make up
The Bible shows us that the usage of cosmetics/make up and jewellery is associated with vanity and pride. Some examples of this are:
“They had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.” Judges 8:24.
“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window..” 2 Kings 9:30.
Painted = From an unused root meaning to paint ; dye (specifically stibium for the eyes): - fair colours, glistering, paint [-ed] (-ing)
Strongs H6320
1) antimony, stibium, black paint
1a) eye cosmetic
Jezebel was a woman who did not follow God, in fact,she heard the truth of the living God, yet she was idolatrous. As she worshipped other gods, insnared in deception, her actions were ungodly, also highlighted by wearing make up in this case. 1 Kings 16:31, 21:25
“And when thou art spoiled, what wilt thou do? Though thou clothest thyself with crimson, though thou deckest thee with ornaments of gold, though thou rentest thy face with painting, in vain shalt thou make thyself fair.” Jeremiah 4:30.
Fair = beautiful
Strongs H3302
to be bright, that is, (by implication) beautiful: - be beautiful, be (make self) fair (-r), deck
“She decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the Lord.” Hosea 2:13.
Isaiah 3:16-24 provides a very revealing list of worldly ornaments, which the Lord rebukes among the daughters of Zion. In verse 9 He says, “The shew of their countenance doth witness against them.”
As children of God, do we want our faces to witness against our faith?
What we can conclude through these scriptures is that focusing on appearance in adding features and elements for display is shown in a negative context. The examples of such are not children of God who did those things. God created us to have free will but God did not create us so that we can change our appearance, which will not be within our natural state. God has already created us in one image and that is :
„So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”. Genesis 1:27
Christ Our Example
Jesus, our Redeemer, walked the earth with the dignity of a king; yet He was meek and lowly of heart. He was a light and blessing in every home because He carried cheerfulness, hope, and courage with Him. Oh, that we could be satisfied with less heart-longings, less striving for things difficult to obtain wherewith to beautify our homes, while that which God values above jewels, the meek and quiet spirit, is not cherished. The grace of simplicity, meekness, and true affection would make a paradise of the humblest home. It is better to endure cheerfully every inconvenience than to part with peace and contentment. Child Guidance 141.5
Study the fashions less, and the character of Jesus more. The greatest and holiest of men was also the meekest. In his character, majesty and humility were blended. He could summon the hosts of heaven at will; the command of worlds was in his power; yet for our sake he became poor, that we, through his poverty, might be made rich. The attractions of this world, its glory and its pride, had no fascination for him. In the cluster of Christian graces, he made meekness and humility prominent. Christ noticed the devotion to dress, and he cautioned, yea, he commanded, his followers not to bestow too much thought upon it. “Why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [Matthew 6:28-29]. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 93.2
……The outside appearance is an index to the heart. True refinement does not find satisfaction in the adorning of the body for display. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. Simplicity of apparel always makes a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. A refined, cultured mind will be revealed in the choice of simple and appropriate attire. In the sanctified heart there is no place for thoughts of needless adornment. Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene 93.1
Conclusion
It is important to examine ourselves as Paul said in 2 Corinthians 13:5 „Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” Pray that you may obey the LORD out of love. Satan will continue to tempt in this area, especially as the perverse and degradable fashions have become the normality today. Pray for the Holy Spirit so that the truth can work inwardly to not fall into the dangers of practicing dress reform outwardly or when fellowshipping with brethren etc, but in our hearts and in the secret place we choose sin. May such a statement that Jesus made to the scribes and Pharisees of old, be not made about you „Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity” Matthew 23:28
As Christians, we are to follow God’s ways, and not the ways of the world, even if we do not understand every detail ( Isaiah 55:8-9). Yet, the truth is plainly stated.
Jesus said „ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” John 17:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9
"O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth” Psalm 96:9
