One day in the supermarket a young man approached two older ladies and complimented them on their dress, which consisted of midcalf-length skirts, long-sleeved blouses, and low-heeled shoes. Nothing unusual, but his comment was to the effect that it was refreshing to see women looking like women. He was accompanied by a young woman wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and tennis shoes. Could it be that the younger generation are seeing that there has been a deterioration in standards and are saddened by it? Does clothing exert any special power of influence upon ourselves and others? What reasons are there for dress reform?
A short history. Adam and Eve wore no artificial garments in the beginning, yet they had no need of shame (Genesis 2:25). They were clothed in glorious garments of light, characteristic of their pure innocence. Sadly, however, this innocence did not last, for Satan, using the serpent as a medium, deceived them. Then they realized that they were suddenly naked—and they were ashamed (Genesis 3:7). Satan said that they would know good and evil. However, knowing evil is not a thing to be desired, as mankind soon discovered. There is no deceit more powerful than the mixing of truth and error, good and evil. Now dress reform became necessary, and was initiated by God. Adam and Eve had fashioned “aprons” for themselves, but God fully clothed them with “coats of skins.” This is also the first record of a sacrifice; some animal had to die to furnish them with those coats, symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary.
As men depart from God, they remove their clothing more and more as their apostasy increases. Many think of women in regard to dress; however, it only takes a quick look at shoppers in the mall to realize that men have become just as immodest and outlandish in their dress as women. The principles of modest dress apply to both sexes.
Power and influence in clothing. The way we dress has power either to command respect or cause it to be lost. At a job interview, proper dress could determine the outcome. At some restaurants, certain standards in clothing are required—shoes and shirts, ties and jackets. Thinking about this power involved in clothing, we can see that it can be a ready tool for good or evil. As with any tool, we must use it correctly to honor God and bring glory to Him. Our clothing should be “without spot or wrinkle” as His church is to be.
How may we be dishonoring God in our dress? Nakedness is equated with sin and evil. In Revelation 16:15, Jesus declares, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Remember in the gospel according to Luke the man at the tombs who wore no clothes. He was demon-possessed. (See Luke 8:27.)
Ironically, the shame of nakedness has become desirable to many. Movie stars and singers—the modern replacement for pagan gods and goddesses—are practically naked in public and flaunt their bodies before anyone who will look. Unfortunately, many of the youth desire to be just like them. Our world is morally turned upside down. What does God say about it in the message to Laodicea? He appeals for us to buy of Him the righteousness of Christ “that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear” (Revelation 3:18).
“The path of error often appears to lie close to the path of truth. It is hardly distinguishable from the path that leads to holiness and heaven”(Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 290). How can this possibly apply to us? There is a style of clothing worn frequently even among professed Christian young women which, when compared to acceptable standards, at first seems to conform. But in reality, it is totally immodest. It is the very popular long, straight skirt—which is a misnomer, as on a young woman, there is no such thing as a “straight” skirt. It comes in proper lengths, about midcalf or longer, is made of many lovely subdued colors, prints, and materials. But as often as not, it has a deep slit on the side or back as if putting the slit out of sight of the wearer would make it alright. The skirt clings to the body, leaving the female anatomy provocatively outlined. When sitting, these young women thus attired often cross their legs and the immodesty increases, sometimes exposing bare the thighs. Many are choosing to wear such skirts along with extremely tight-fitting, short-sleeved blouses, even in God’s designated sanctuary. Such is not proper attire. Young sisters, have you thought upon your responsibility toward others in tempting to sensuous thoughts? Attracting men by seductive means attracts the wrong kind of men, or can sometimes lower the right kind to become the wrong kind. Either way, God cannot bless you. Is your dress expressing your commitment to God or to the lusts of the world?
God covers Himself with light (Psalm 104:1, 2). Jesus was covered with shining raiment, exceeding white at the mount of transfiguration (Mark 9:3), symbolic of spotless purity. We can learn from this. What are the reasons for dress reform? Is it to make us unhappy and different—or protected and blessed? The reasons are multiple and are for the benefit of men, women and children:
Reasons for dress reform.
1. Improper fashion separates us from God. Notice that the following counsel is for “our people,” not just the women: “Fashion is deteriorating the intellect and eating out the spirituality of our people. Obedience to fashion is pervading our Seventh-day Adventist churches and is doing more than any other power to separate our people from God” (Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 647).
2. Dressing differently than we have been instructed is sin. “There is a terrible sin upon us as a people, that we have permitted our church members to dress in a manner inconsistent with their faith. We must arise at once and close the door to the allurements of fashion. Unless we do this, our churches will become demoralized.”—Ibid., p. 648.
3. To some, dress reform is a cross. We need to pick up our cross and carry it, not shun it. (Luke 9:23.)
4. Then, there is our physical health.
“ ‘Women should clothe their limbs with regard to health and comfort. Their feet and limbs need to be clad as warmly as men’s’ ”(Ibid., vol. 1, p. 459).
“The character of the climate, the surroundings, the conditions of health, the age and the occupation must all be considered. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood nor a free, full, natural respiration. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised the clothing will be correspondingly lifted.”—The Ministry of Healing, p. 293.
“Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 531.
How do we interfere with that perfect circulation? Constricting clothes. Cancer, sterility, lung disease, and general debility are just a few of the diseases effected by constricting clothing, in both men and women.
5. To overcome pride. “Oh, the pride that was shown me of God’s professed people! It has increased every year, until it is now impossible to designate professed Advent Sabbathkeepers from all the world around them. I saw that this pride must be torn out of our families.”—Ibid., vol. 1, p. 135.
6. To minimize expenses. Anyone who has shopped for clothes recently knows the extremes that clothing prices have reached. What is worse, the quality is such that “moth and rust doth corrupt.”
7. Here is an exceptional reason—to prevent our men from falling in war. The messenger of the Lord writes, “The prophecy of Isaiah 3 was presented before me as applying to these last days, and the reproofs are given to the daughters of Zion who have thought only of appearance and display. Read verse 25: ‘Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war.’ I was shown that this scripture will be strictly fulfilled”(Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 270). This may mean falling in the spiritual battle at the thought-level, but either way spells great loss and accountability.
8. To identify us as God’s people. “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). “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; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10).
9. To prevent compromising situations. If you look like a tramp, you will be treated like a tramp. And men who may think this doesn’t apply to them—Remember, this is an age of immorality, perversion and homosexuality. These practices are taught in the public school system as alternative lifestyles. It is not uncommon to hear of men raping men. Be careful how you dress.
10. To distinguish men from women. “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). It does not say that the clothing is an abomination, but the wearer! Even when you are alone at home, are you really alone or is God there? Whom are you trying to please—worldly people when you go out in public—or God who wants to be with you always? It is important to keep in mind the spirit of the principles even though no one else is visible to your sight.
11. To prevent lust and base passion. “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.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 645.
12. To make us truly beautiful. “Simplicity of dress will make a sensible woman appear to the best advantage. We judge of a person’s character by the style of dress worn. A modest, godly woman will dress modestly. A refined taste, a cultivated mind, will be revealed in the choice of a simple, appropriate attire. The young women who break away from the slavery of fashion will be ornaments to society. The one who is simple and unpretending in her dress and in her manners shows that she understands that a true woman is characterized by moral worth. How charming, how interesting, is simplicity in dress, which in comeliness can be compared with the flowers of the field.”—Messages to Young People, p. 353. “Christ has warned us against the pride of life, but not against its grace and natural beauty.”—Ibid., p. 352.
Summary. Our clothing is an indication of our moral and spiritual state. We know that God is clothed in light and where we have record of His garments, they reflected His purity and holiness. Reasons for dress reform include: avoiding separation from God, avoiding sin, to bear a cross, for health, to overcome pride, to save money, so our men won’t die in war, to identify us as God’s, to keep us safe from immorality, to distinguish between men and women, to prevent lust in ourselves and others, and to be truly beautiful.
The ultimate reason for dress reform is to hasten our Lord’s return. Our outward appearance is an index to our inward character, and Christ is waiting for His character of meekness and purity to be reproduced in His people. He is watching us, waiting for us to glorify Him in the earth. Let us take up the cross of dress reform cheerfully, in the realization that we will be cooperating with God in His plan to bring a conclusion to the sinfulness of this world. Let us welcome the Lord our Righteousness and wear the garments He has chosen for us, both physically and spiritually.