'Celebrity' Influence and Dressing

This is the final post of my three part exposé on modesty in dressing.

In the ancient Biblical era, people who made idols were very wealthy. They hand crafted the false deities that common people loved to set up in their homes. Nowadays, apart from in certain religions (e.g. Sikhism, Hinduism) physical statues are not so much the gods adored. Today’s ‘idol makers’ are the Simon Cowells' and Russell Simmons’ of this world. Music moguls who find and make the icons celebrated, followed and looked up to the world over. The huge U.S show touted to find the next big pop music star is even called ‘American Idol.’

Every now and then while perusing clothing sites as research for a burgeoning fashion business, I will come across pictures of celebrities dressed nicely. It is not often that celebs choose to look modest when they dress up to appear at events. The name of the game is grabbing attention and I guess it is felt being covered up doesn’t really assist to that end. However, when I do see it I always notice and think what a great thing it would be if these people so many in the world unfortunately look up to, exemplified good standards. The young women and men of today who idolize them would dress and think very differently.

Truly the point of an idol is to lead people away from Godliness. So it is expected that celebs dressing modestly will always be the exception, not the rule. However, here is a showing of some of them on rare occasions they’ve done so to show how pleasant it is when it does happen...

                                                             Actress Kerry Washington

                                                                Actress Freida Pinto

                                                                Actress Kirsten Dunst

                                                                   Actress Lucy Liu

                                                                Actress Eva Longoria

                                                              Actress Lupita Nyong'o

                                                                Actress Penelope Cruz

                                                               Actress Amber Riley

                                                    Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge

                                        Singer turned fashion designer, Victoria Beckham

Addressing Dressing -More on why our clothes matter

Fashion and clothing is a large part of life, especially today. It is bound to have to reach the considerations of a person trying to live holy and wholly for God. Here are a few more points on why consciousness is of dress has importance...

If as Christians we are to surrender our whole lives and our whole self to God, if we are meant to be wholly set apart for Him (Psalm 4:3), if Christians must ensure that the change God makes in us is evident –shouldn’t this include the way we choose to adorn ourselves?

In the latter half of 1 Timothy chapter 2, the apostle Paul gives instructions for the members of the church of that specific time and place (-coming out of a hedonistic Pagan society that they needed to starkly detach from), including how the sisters were to be adorned. We learn a few things from this scripture. ‘Broiding’ hair is referred to in verse 9. This ancient Greek and Roman trend involved plaiting hair with gold, jewels, silk chords and coins. The purpose of this extravagant fashion was of course to attract others and show off wealth. Thus, this scripture highlights that every period and culture has had, and will have, particular trends that the Church must to be wary of.

Some Christians defend dressing in any way they wish by saying God is not concerned with what’s on the outside, only what’s in the heart. This statement is not well thought through, as what is within is made evident by what you express without (Luke 6:45, James 2:18). We are conscious in choosing our attire; our wardrobes don’t simply fall over each morning and slap clothes on us against our will. Our hearts hold our thoughts and intent. Our thoughts and intent are active when we decide what to wear each day.

Clothing always reflects mind-sets and can tell us a lot about what is going on in society. In the sexually liberated ‘swinging sixties,’ the mini skirt became the fashion. In the 1970s and 80s when ‘Punk’ subculture was popularised, young people wore shocking and outlandish outfits as they were rebelling against the norms of a conservative, culturally Christian society.

 Clothing is just one facet of representing who we are in Christ. Many brethren have had the experience of being approached in the street by people who have been able to assume they are Christian, and comment on how they are dressed. It is worth being adorned differently for point that alone; being identifiable to those around you.

 Some argue that there are hypocrites who use holy dress to feign holiness within; therefore dressing ‘Christianly’ doesn't necessarily mean someone is good. Truly, there have always been people who try to hide who they really are by dressing up the outside well (Matt 23:27). However, this has never provided an excuse for someone who claims they want to be sanctified within and not necessarily allow it to extend to what they present without.  God wants to be reflected and considered in even the minutiae of His children’s living and expression.