Christian women, and Christian men, what does modest dress mean to you?

Question

The bible tells women to dress modestly...

Timothy 2:9 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;

Also tells us not to wear clothing that a man would wear...
Deuteronomy 22:5 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.

My question is ladies, what does modest mean to you? How do you dress for God? Also, men, do you want your christian wife of now, or in the future, to dress like a lady? Is this important to you?

http://www.modestapparelusa.com/jumper_bib_sp06.html

Would you wear that? Is this something you find to be modest? (Im ordering it ;) )

I like going out and knowing true christians who consider their own hair their glory, have long hair, and all dressed in modest long skirts. This is something that is special to me!

Answer 1

Here is an easy standard that works for both men and women: "the more flesh you show, the less creditability you have."

I cannot tell you how true this, in both the professional/office environment and in the casual friends environment. Think of this - you set up a meeting with your lawyer to discuss a very important issue, and he comes to the meeting in Bermuda shorts and a tank top. Not professional, right?

The immediate danger of dressing indecently or in a provocative fashion is that you have less credibility in the eyes of your peers.
Secondly, however, and even more dangerous, is the fact that you have reinforced the notion that sex is a commodity, something that can be "bought and sold" for the right price. Men are visual creatures, they are stimulated with their eyes, and when you initiate a sexual response in a man, you are opening the door to a dangerous situation. The moment we begin to treat sex as a mere commodity is the moment that commodity is abused and stolen.
As women we should save the "sexy" outfits for private times with our husbands, not to be worn and feasted upon by other men in public. We will never gain any respect in the workplace if we dress like "sex kittens" or playthings. We are treated how we dress, it's as simple as that.

Now, how to fix the problem? The same way that we can fix any problem in society. First, look in the mirror and make the appropriate changes to your own wardrobe. Second, have a frank discussion with your spouse about his/her clothing, and then finally teach our children the ways of modesty and decency.

Sorry to be so verbose, but this is an issue I care deeply about. God bless!

EDIT - Yes I think the jumper is modest and cute. Thanks for the link to this site!

Answer 2

While that picture certainly looks "modest" the idea of modest Christian dress has more to do with 1. not wearing clothes that are designed to incite lustful thoughts in another person, and 2. that are not designed to show that an extravagent amount of money has been spent on them.

Answer 3

It doesn't really matter what is on the outside of a person. I think it says that somewhere in the NT too. The idea as I see it is to not dress in a sexually provocative way and not to spend all of your money on being 'in fashion' or be a slave to the current treads in fashion just to be 'in'. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with dressing fashionably as long as it isn't a god to you. Don't go out of your way either way, balance and good taste is what is important here.

I think we spend too much time trying to follow the letter of the law that was written for another place and time. The basic teaching of Jesus was for all time and all places. Is what you do in keeping with LOVE? If yes, do it, and if not, don't.

Answer 4

Modest dress is dressing in a manner that doesn't automatically arouses lust in someone. Some of the girls today leave nothing to the imagination. It's also dressing your age and wearing women's clothes (not looking like a man).
To me femininity is very important. I've been married for 25 years and my wife still acts like a women and lets me get the door and her chair.

Answer 5

Yes, I believe in modest clothing as a Christian woman. However, I don't believe there's reasons to go to extremes- You don't have to look like a pilgrim in order to be considered modest. Honestly, I don't think God really cares what we wear, as long as it's not encouraging lust from others. Nothing too tight or too skanky looking. And I think you're taking your Titus reference too far out of context: that verse doesn't indicate anything about a person's style of dress. We should stand out, but not because of how we look, but how we act.

Answer 6

The bible also says that your body is the temple of Christ. So I think that what you wear should honor God. I don't think it needs to be long skirts to your ankles, but I think that dressing modestly means dressing in a way so that you are not trying to tempt other men into having lustful thoughts.

SO many of the young girls and teenagers today dress like they are trying to sell their bodies. But it is their parents who buy it for them, so what is up with that... are their parents trying to sell their bodies for them???....

As for women not wearing men's clothing... I think that there is a huge difference between dressing with the intention to look like a man, and wearing pants/ jeans and a cute t-shirt. If you wish to look like a man instead of a women this is an insult to God and what He created you to be.

just my thoughts....

Answer 7

I have went to churches were women wear long skirts and no sleeveless shirs an no cleavage. The men were pants, not shorts, and no sleeveless, and have no beards. Women have long hair and men have short hair. That is Pentecostal. That's how I believe, although I don't practice. I think women should dress modestly and so should men.

Answer 8

I dress for God. No pants, no cleavage, no slits in my skirts or dresses, not form fitting, covering the leg below the knee...knees should not show even when sitting. Wearing two or three slips to help hide lines. Wearing my hair long.

Answer 9

Very good question and yes we do dress modestly here. Both my wife and myself try to be modest and represent the Lord at all times.

Answer 10

Modesty to me is clothes that don't show too much skin ie I like my shoulders covered, pants that go to my knees, and shirts that arent low. Tight clothes arent modest. I don't think the thing you are buying is exactly my style, but it would be cute on other people, and it is modest so I say go for it.