There is nothing wrong with a Christian liking fashion. As disciples of Jesus, we have to be careful that we are representing Him in a way that honors Him. That includes how we dress, so we have to make sure that we choose clothing that reflects our inner beauty. I look forward to carefully putting together my looks. How about you?
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”
– I Peter 3:3-4 NKJV
This scripture is a reminder to work on our inner beauty. The inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit never fades and is pleasing to God always.
So Then Why Should We Put Thought Into How We Dress?
It is because of our inner beauty that we should give thought to how we dress. We learn in Colossians 3:12-14 that we should clothe ourselves in these 7 things:
- Compassion
- Kindness
- Humility
- Gentleness
- Patience
- Forgiveness
- Love
We demonstrate these attributes with our actions, which includes how we dress. As a Christian, you may find yourself under a microscope. Have you ever heard that you only get one chance to make a first impression? Make sure you are giving the impression that you want to give. As a believer, you are representing Christ Jesus. Make sure that the impression you give is one that reflects Him and who you are in Him, accurately.
“Because your clothes speak before you do, make sure you’re putting out the message you want others to hear.”
– Vanessa Rodriguez Lang (favorite fashion blogger)
We should dress modestly.
What is Modest Fashion
When we dress modestly, we are taking the time to make sure we are covering certain parts of our bodies. Which parts should be covered and when seems to be up for debate. In some religions, everything is covered year-round, including the head. What about for Christians? We have no such agreement about what constitutes modest dress. In general, I believe there is agreement that modest dress includes covering cleavage and the midriff, and that skirts and dresses should not be much above the knee, if at all. But what about in the summer? What about when we are working out? It is because of this confusion that I will discuss this topic during one of my future Instagram Lives.
How to Dress Modestly
It is massively difficult to find modest clothing these days! What I have learned is to shop for timeless, classic pieces that never go out of style. Then make your outfit fun and show your personality through your accessories.
The Proverbs 31 Woman is classy. She invests in quality pieces that will last a lifetime because they do not go out of style like the latest trends. Example, a pair of pearl studs. Not only can you wear pearls forever, you can wear them to work, to church, to brunch, traveling the world, shopping, etc.
“She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].”
– Proverbs 31:22 AMP
Fit is important in modest dressing. While anything too tight is definitely not modest, we also do not want the opposite. Unless it is an intentional style choice, your clothes should fit correctly. The goal, especially in the workplace, is a nice tailored fit that flatters you. Clothes that are too big look sloppy. Go for polished and professional, not frumpy.
Balance is key in style. Pair an oversized sweater with tailored pants, a colorful patterned piece with a solid one, a conservative outfit with a fun accessory or two. Your personality should come through in your outfit, but it should also say that you take your work seriously, that you are trustworthy and dependable.
Modest Fashion in the Workplace
This month, I have been focusing on how one of the virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman is her industriousness. Since we know that the Proverbs 31 Woman is such a hard worker, including running her own business, I wanted to include some tips about modest fashion in the workplace, and how to have the classic style of a Proverbs 31 business woman.
The most important thing you can do is create a routine for getting dressed. This will help you on days when you are running late. Another helpful habit to form is to plan your work outfits ahead of time. As I wrote about in my previous article on styling your home office, colors affect your mood. Choose your favorite colors to boost your mood at work and make sure they complement each other. But remember that balance is key, so stick with classic neutral colors and add in fun colors with your shoes and accessories or through your top or bottom, never both.
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Modest Fashion Work Essentials
Tops
When thinking about modest tops, the most important thing to consider is the neckline. Crewneck, boat neck, mock neck and collared tops are the most modest. Some v-neck, scoop neck, and square neck tops are also modest depending on your body shape.
Ann Taylor Shirred Blouse
Dresses
As with tops, one of the things to consider with dresses is the neckline. You will want to stick with the same necklines as you would for tops. Another consideration is the length. Ending at the knee or below is appropriate for work.
Ann Taylor The Square Neck Sheath Dress in Seasonless Stretch
Outerwear
A blazer is a nice professional option for keeping warm in an office or business setting. There are many styles to choose from as you can see below. Get one in black or navy to get the most use. Another option is my favorite, the cardigan. They come in many colors and styles. You can get a cardigan that ends at the waist or a long one, one that buttons or one that doesn’t. A crewneck cardigan with buttons is classic.
Another type of sweater you can wear to the office is a v-neck sweater. You can wear it on its own with a skirt or trousers, or you can layer it over a collared shirt or even over a dress for extra warmth.
Ann Taylor The Long Two-Button Blazer in Seasonless Stretch
Bottoms
As with dresses, you will want your skirts to end right around your knees. Two classic skirts to choose from are the pencil skirt and the A-line skirt.
Trousers that are medium-rise and without belt loops are the most flattering. Get them in your neutrals: black or navy, and light or dark gray. Stick with darker colors for a slimming effect. You will also want to get a pair of dark wash or black jeans for Casual Fridays. Keep skinny jeans modest by pairing them with an oversized sweater or a tunic top.
Ann Taylor The Ankle Pant in Bi-Stretch
Shoes & Accessories
When you get to shoes and accessories, this is where you can add some personality to your classic wardrobe. They are the perfect opportunity to add a fun color to your outfit.
With shoes, you have a choice between flats and heels. Flats go best with trousers, and there are a variety of styles to choose from. My favorites are ballet flats. As for heels, you can choose between pumps and wedges, both of which come in a variety of styles. In the colder months, you can switch both your flats and heels for boots, flat ones or boots with heels.
Stick with thin scarves to make sure that they do not overpower your outfit or get in your way when you are working. A silk scarf is especially nice, but there are other styles to choose from, such as an oblong one that you can wrap around your neck. A scarf, printed or solid, is a simple way to add a pop of color to your work outfit.
Another way to add color to your outfit is with your work tote and with a skinny belt.
Ann Taylor Floral Silk Little Scarf
Ann Taylor Crocodile Print Tote Bag
For more inspiration for putting together a modest fashion work wardrobe, please check out How to Dress Professionally, Feel Confident and Look Stylish.
See Related: What to Wear This Fall
Until next time,
Happy Fall! 🍂🍁
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