True Christians, what do you consider "modest clothing."?

Question

God tells us through Paul in 1st Timothy 2:9-10 that women should dresst with modesty and decensy. So, what do you consider as modest and decent, and what do you consider crossing the line?

Is the line crossed with mini skirts, tanktops and such?

Answer 1

I think some of that depends on the time and place. More than that, it isn't the clothing itself but HOW a woman wears it.

A woman can be appropriately clothed and yet present herself in such a way as to come across as a sex symbol. At the same time, a woman can wear short shorts and a tank top and be as plain as day because of the work she is doing at the time.

Answer 2

I think you are getting the idea about modest dress, but I will add a little to it and also address mens wear as well. To be modest means to dress as God himself would cover you and be happy. If you feel comfortable standing before the Church away from the pulpit you are either modest in dress or an extrovert.

I would also say that wearing too much of the fancy stuff is also not of God nor modest. It goes the other direction and becomes presumptuous. Three piece suits, high end dresses, more gold than Fort Knox, more makeup than a French whore and perfume that would make a skunk run for cover are all examples of people that are covered well and still not being modest.

Unless you are dirt poor and have nothing else but what is on your back or are a recent convert and have nothing else. Those can enter and be welcome, in truth all should but some a gentle reprimand should be in order.

A nice shirt, pants, shoes is good enough for either sex. It would be good if they were not printed with offensive logos or other items. Even children with super hero shirts, dragons, skulls etc should be avoided.

Women should be in clothing that covers to at least the knees. Bare shoulders exposed bellies and cleavage should be avoided. Also if it could double as a nighty it is not appropriate.

Both should cover tattoos if they have them. If you have piercings they should be removed unless they are small and unobtrusive.

The goal of Church is to worship God and not be the center of attention. But, aside from piercings and tattoos (which I personally do not find appealing but not an issue) the dress code should follow you as you leave the Church. We are always Christ's representatives on Earth and that duty does not stop at the Churches thresh hold.

Answer 3

Anything that would clearly invoke lust in others is inappropriate.

The ideal form of modest would probably be any top not showing cleavage or the navel and any bottom covering down to or past the knees, also loose clothing in general would be more appropriate (i.e. skirt rather than tight pants and wearing a bra or something similar that would hide the nipples).

Obviously social setting should be taken into account but perhaps certain situations should be avoided if they would cause someone to dress un-modestly such as a bar, especially if there is a wet t-shirt contest. Encouraging such behavior is just as bad as sporting it.

Answer 4

This is a tough question, because so much depends on the culture you live in as well as the standards that society sets.
In my opinion (I have 2 daughters), modest dress is anything that DOES NOT cause others (especially men) to ogle, comment or otherwise draw attention to their bodies.
My daughters, for example, will wear 2 pc swimsuits, but they are well contained within them. They would never wear a halter top, and they don't like their bellies to be showing. Their clothes are never too tight. They have, I think, a healthy idea of what is appropriate and what isn't.

Crossing the line would be very vocal in my house (hasn't happened yet). My 18 year old son is very aware of his sisters and would let them know immediately if he thought they were dressed inappropriately in front of his friends.
My husband as well, has trained them well.

Just so you know, my girls are AWARE and AGREE that provocative dress is unhealthy both to their own self esteem and their image. They know that their bodies are sacred, and they are aware that provocative dress changes both the way they feel and the way those around them feel. I believe they have a healthy discernment when choosing their clothes. They are always current (as much as their budget allows).

Answer 5

I agree that this can vary by time and place - A good rule of thumbs is - if the Savior walked in, would you feel comfortable in what you're wearing?

But what I practice is - no short-shorts or miniskirts, no belly, no plunging necklines, and I personally prefer to at least have cap sleeves. - That's just what my choice is, and what I feel most comfortable with.

When I was in highschool, I found it hard to want to dress modestly, and then I started riding a motorcycle - and it suddenly got easy because I wanted to cover my skin from the risk of road-rash - kind of funny how it worked that way.

Answer 6

Mini skirts and tank tops are definitely out for church attire. In general, any clothes that a woman is going to wear that she knows are specifically designed to arouse sexual desire in a man should not be worn where men other than her husband can see her because otherwise she is being careless about tempting someone to sin in their thought life.

Luke 17:1 And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

Answer 7

Well, I am LDS (mormon) and I can tell you the guidelines of the church. Young children, teenagers, young adults and those who have not been to the temple (and do not wear garments) are encouraged to be modest in dress - meaning probably no tank tops, no short shorts, no mini-skirts, no stomach-baring shrits...stuff like that. The youth are counseled to wear clothing that reflects reverence, virtue and self respect.
Those who wear garments (which are basically a t-shirt type top and biker short bottoms to the knee) keep within those standards so obviously no tank tops, short shorts, mini skirts anything like that....our garments help keep us dressing modestly.

Answer 8

when i stand in front of the mirror, i ask God, "Do you want me to wear this today?." " Is this too tight, or too short? Will this make me look like i serve for guys, not for You?.." Because I am here to serve God, not look to impress guys, u know?... for me its hard to explain...b/c life's more than looking cute and guys and stuff like that...So I dress in such a way that I and God are satisfied.

Answer 9

These days, modest is not the norm.

Though I won't define modest here, I will point you to 1 Corinthians 8, especially 9-end.

In Love

Answer 10

I think any time your underwear (men or women) or bra is showing in public, it's indecent. It used to be unthinkable to wear a black bra under a white shirt, but not any more. Also, it used to be only repairmen that bent over and revealed too much from behind. Now it seems every other person is like that. Leave something to the imagination.

May God Bless you.