Vol.11 No.5

The Cruelest Queen
Her name is Fashion, and she rules millions of devoted subjects.
By Michelle Chai and Barbara Graham

In this fast-paced world, it is easy to see that fashion reigns proudly as queen with many enslaved to her ever-changing trends.

While Christians are not to follow every whim of fashion, they should dress in a modest, becoming manner that rightfully represents their Saviour to the world. A person’s character is judged by his or her style of dress. Therefore, Christians should be concerned about what kind of image they portray to the world.

Why and how has the love of fashion taken over people’s lives? Ellen G. White, a Christian author who wrote extensively about dress principles, answered these questions:

“The devil, the adversary of all good, instigated the invention of the ever-changing fashion. He desires nothing so much as to bring grief and dishonor to God by working the misery and ruin of human beings. One of the means by which he most effectually accomplishes this is the devices of fashion that weaken the body as well as enfeeble the mind and belittle the soul.”¹

Role Distinction

While some popular fashions display modesty and refinement, others contribute to the downward trend of morals. One such category is unisex clothing. Unisex dress stores, boutiques, and hair salons readily offer the same clothes and hairstyles for men and women. These clothes and hairstyles are so similar that some people cannot always be sure of the sex of two people walking down the sidewalk. “Today the world of fashion no longer shouts ‘Vive la differénce!’ but ‘Vive la similarité!’”²

Are there moral dangers in this trend? The Bible firmly condemns the sin of sodomy or homosexuality. It is called an abomination. Because Canaan, the promised land for the children of Israel, practiced sodomy, God clearly instructed them about how to dress, warning them against practices which could lure them into this sin.³ “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.” Deuteronomy 22:5. This was also a safeguard for their families.

Homosexuality has gained enormous ground in the past decades. American media often applauds “the gay movement, and how it has proudly come out of the closet to demand its rights.”⁴ Even transvestitism—men dressing as women and women dressing as men—is being tolerated more because “normal costumes already contain so much that is borrowed from the other sex.”⁵

Another reason unisex clothing has become popular is the sense of equality it portrays between men and women. In Historic Costume, Katherine Lester wrote: “This trend, termed, ‘unisex’ went with the move toward sexual and economic equality of men and women, and with the blurring of the traditional male and female roles in society.”⁶

Today, men and women seek fulfillment by assuming roles that God never intended for them. The result of this rebellion is gender confusion. Unisex fashions have contributed to this confusion. Again, Mrs. White observed: “God designed that there should be a plain distinction between the dress of men and women … for the same dress worn by both sexes would cause confusion and great increase of crime.”⁷  It is Satan’s attempt to pervert and destroy the natural gender roles that God created.

Whatever Happened to Modesty?

Sexual immorality is progressing at an alarming rate, and part of this can be attributed to immodest fashions. Satan has virtually destroyed that inherent modesty with which God endowed women. Under current fashion trends, women have thrown off moral restraints, including modest clothing. Nudity and provocative dress are the accepted norm.

For example, Mary Quant, originator of the miniskirt, boldly asserted: “Miniclothes are symbolic of those girls who want to seduce a man.” ⁸ As a woman’s dress inches above the knee, it becomes a temptation for men. A Christian woman should not share in this kind of enticement.

Deadly, Disgusting Trends

Some fashions portray abusive lifestyles. The “waif look” has been described as an anorexic/bulimic condition in which the person is almost skin and bones.⁹

It was glamorized in a popular fashion magazine by British model Kate Moss, 5’ 7”, 105 pounds, who portrayed an unhealthy, abnormal thinness. “The pictures are hideous and tragic,” said Marcelle d’Argy Smith, editor of British Cosmopolitan magazine. “If I had a daughter who looked like that, I would take her to see a doctor.’’¹⁰

Another popular, abusive style depicted by the fashion world was “heroin chic” which promoted the run-down physical attributes of a heroin addict: thin frame, sunken eyes, and pallid skin.¹¹

When Cynthia Beckwith, an addict who had been in the fashion world for 10 years, was asked what she thought of the term “heroin chic,” she replied: “That’s disgusting. There is nothing chic about heroin. It’s a killer.”¹²

Sometime ago, a leading fashion designer introduced beautiful, world-famous models wearing expensive renditions of the “grunge look,” a trend that emphasized sloppiness. “The models appeared not to have slept or washed their hair for a week.” Commenting on the reasons for young people readily adopting this trend, one fashion director explained that “baby busters are pessimistic about their prospects.” Fashion authority Alison Lure gave one basic reason: “Depression. Why else would you want to look ugly? They feel the world is ugly, and that therefore they want to look as ugly as the world.”¹³

How Should We Dress?

What image should Christians portray to the world? Instead of glorifying themselves, true Christians will glorify God through their clothes and appearance. They will portray health, cleanliness, and neatness, not self-abuse and sloppiness. There will be a marked distinction between the sexes—men dressing in a masculine manner and women in a feminine manner.

While fashion trends involve both men and women, women are most affected. (See “Look, but Don’t Touch!” in this issue.) A Christian woman should dress modestly, realizing that men are easily aroused by provocative clothes and that she is responsible for her influence.

Instead of following the latest fashions and idolizing models who have abused their bodies, she will endeavor to be like the woman described in Proverbs, chapter 31. This woman should be a Christian role model, especially for young women:

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her … She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet [or double garments] … Strength and honour are her clothing … She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” Verses 10-27.

The virtuous woman does not depend upon her clothing. She is a woman of character—trustworthy, faithful, industrious, and kind. She realizes that no outward beauty can recommend the soul to God.¹⁴

She does not spend all her money or time keeping up with fashion’s changing craze. Instead, she prepares durable, proper clothing for herself and her household. In the same manner, true Christian women will seek the inward adornment of a meek and lowly spirit, which is more precious than gold.¹⁵ Then, their clothes will naturally be modest and becoming.

Dress for Eternal Success

Instead of seeking to clothe the exterior with the latest fashions, which soon pass away, let us strive, by God’s grace, to wear the richest dress upon the soul—a godly character which will last throughout eternity. “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31.

References

1. White, Ellen G., The Ministry of Healing (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1909), p. 291.
2. Bacchiocchi, Samuele, Christian Dress and Adornment (Berrien Springs: Biblical Perspectives, 1995), p. 140.
3. Crews, Joe, Creeping Compromise (Frederick: Amazing Facts, Inc., 1990), p. 47.
4. Ibid., p. 45.
5. Winick, Charles, The New People: Desexualization in American Life (New York, 1968), p. 262. Quoted in Bacchiocchi, p. 151.
6. Lester, Katherine Morris, and Kerr Rose Netzorg, Historic Costume (Peoria, Illinois, 1977), p. 288. Quoted in Bacchiocchi, p. 143.
7. White, Child Guidance (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1982), p. 427.
8. Crews, pp. 31, 32.
9. Lynn, Louise Lague Allison, Lois Armstrong, Vicki Sheffcahan, and Gabrielle Saveri, “Cover: How thin is too thin?…” People, September 20, 1993, www.encyclopedia.com
10. Ibid.
11. Baye, Betty Winston, “Commentary: Heroin chic isn’t,” Gannett News Service, May 22, 1997, www.encyclopedia.com
12. Beckwith, Cynthia, interview by Barbara Walters, Deborah Roberts, Hugh Downs, “Dressed Up And Drugged Out,” ABC, March 28, 1997, www.encyclopedia.com
13. Jeannin, Judy, “Fashion’s Young and Downwardly Mobile Set,” The Record, February 7, 1993, www.encyclopedia.com
14. White, “A Few Words to Parents,” Signs of the Times, December 19, 1878.
15. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1895), p. 643.