What Does it mean to dress modest?

Question

I am a christian and i'm a little confused on how it says to dress modest. Some people say you have to wear dresses and skirts which i don't have a problem with and others say that you can't wear make-up or jewerly. I guess my question is....is that true?

Answer 1

To me, modest dress means that people will first notice you (the person) rather than a specific area of your skin or body. The same applies for makeup or jewelry.

But I don't know how each Christian denomination feels about the subject.

Answer 2

What denomination are you? I personally believe that it means something like this:

Don't you hate when a song or a movie title explains the whole work? Then you don't even want to hear it! For example, "Snakes on a Plane". My sister loves that movie, but I do not want to watch it because you know the whole story from the title--there are snakes on an airplane! Also, the painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte". If I had known the title before I had seen the painting, I think I would have imagined just what was painted (except maybe the women wearing bustles).

Likewise, you should dress in a manner that leaves something to the imagination about you as a person. Again, an example: There is a girl in my school who dyes her hair constantly, wears a lot of bright make-up, and wears very low-cut shirts all the time. The changing hair colors and make-up just scream, "Notice me! Give me attention!" For the guys, it screams equally loudly, "Pay attention to me! I like sex! I'll take it with as many people as I can because you can all see everything!" I do not have a problem with low-cut tops, but one of her breasts is as large as four or five of mine, and I'm not flat-chested. Yet if she sneezed, they would probably fall right out of most of her shirts.

I cannot speak for most Christians, but as a Christian, I like to dress in mostly solid, dark colors. I often wear more than one layer of shirts. I wear a full face of make-up, but it is all very light and understated, almost as if I am not wearing any. I do wear some jewelry, but it is all small pieces that only draw attention when you look closely at me. That way, people care more about what I have to say than what I am wearing.

It looks as if people do not like Christian girls wearing pants. What about kilts on men?

Answer 3

:) I had this issue for many months in my early days of being a Christian (I was saved in high school). What I have found is that God has no uniform--creativity and beauty are allowed and encouraged in God's fold. He does however provide some guidelines.

1. Don't wear clothes that are masculine. I realize this isn't a popular idea, but it is grounded in the Word of God (Deuteronomy 22:5). I wear dresses and skirts rather than pants, since pants are really mens' clothing. Don't believe me? Take a look at bathroom signs! Not to mention the only real difference between mens' and womens' pants are that womens' are tighter and thinner!
2. Cover up what God has deemed your private parts. This includes your chest down to your knees. In Israel, God commanded His priests to wear breeches beneath their (floor length) robes to cover up their naked thighs. We might not be Jewish priests, but we are members of the Priesthood of the believers!
3. Jewelry and makeup have been used by godly women throughout Biblical history and afterward. The key here is moderation. A little blush and lip gloss and some modest jewelry isn't sinful--but three inches of powder is a little over the top.

My advice would be PRAY. Then read the Bible and look for some Christian readings on the subject. Some articles I found helpful:

http://www.christianaction.org.za/articles_ca/2004-3-ModestyTheUndressingOfOurYouth.htm

http://www.balaams-***.com/journal/homemake/modesty.htm
(this is a little fiery)

http://www.ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/Femininity_amp_Modesty_16/index.shtml
(A whole host of wonderful articles!)

May God be with you!

Answer 4

no, i don't believe that it means that you must wear dresses and skirts and no makeup or jewelry. They wore jewelry in the Bible! In the Bible, it says that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Pray about it and see what God is calling you to do. I believe that it just means don't make your brother stumble in his walk, like it commands in the Bible. God wired guys so they are visual and drawn by sight. a good rule to go by is the "if i can see it, i can touch it" rule. if you would feel uncomfortable with someone touching whatever skin is showing, cover it up! Don't wear anything that might make a brother in Christ likely to look lustfully at you. aka nothing too tight, too low to tight, too revealing. Pray about it and try finding some good Christian books that talk about guys and modesty. www.family.org is a great place to start and also www.briomag.com.
I applaud you for trying to be modest, it is SO hard in today's society.
God Bless

Answer 5

No. I wear makeup and jewelry, I also on occasion wear pants (not often, I look better in skirts and dresses). You can look nice and you can look stylish, but there is something to take into consideration. And that is, don't be consumed with your appearance. I would especially counsel young women to be very careful not to dress provacatively. I know when you're young and pretty, it's fun to get attention. But the clothes these days, my gosh, they reveal much too much. You're not only doing yourself a disservice, but you are putting stumbling blocks in front of young men, who look at this provacative clothing and are tempted. I don't mean to sound like an old biddy.....it's fine to look nice. Just don't walk around looking like a Victoria's Secret ad.

Answer 6

Dont dress like your'e going out to club. Means dress a lil more on the conservative side. I dont think you have to go without makeup or jewelry to be a christian. Even now days you have woman wearing nice dress pants and blouses to church.

Answer 7

i dont think that's there's a specific "dress code". i too am a Christian, and i take dressing modestly to mean not showing too much cleavage. no tiny-mini skirts, no boobs-about-to-pop-out tops, and nothing to tight. nothing that anyone can look down, up, or at and see everything. if you were to ask ur parents, generally ur dad, and they would say that they dont want u wearing it, then dont, or u could ask ur friend for an HONEST opinion.

Answer 8

I think dressing modest just means to not wear clothing that draws unwanted attention to yourself. You shouldn't wear clothes that show a lot of your chest, or stomach, or butt, because then that's all males will be looking at.

Answer 9

Female Dress down to knee. No torn clothes on the butt or breast or belly button showing No tattoos or piercings No short shorts or backless dresses Not too many earrings extreem hair or makeup.

Boys No cut out areas on the butt or wearing pants below there underware or . No torn clothes on the butt No tattoos or piercings No short shorts or backless dresses Not too many earrings extreem hair No makeup.

Answer 10

Most all christians believe in dressing modestly. I guess it depends on your church some are more conservative than others. If you wear make up use it to enhance your natural beauty-- don't pile it on as for jewelry it shouldn't be too big or flashy.