Frumpy or Fashionable?

As Christians, we face many decisions regarding moral issues. Regarding our appearance, we must decide if we're going to betray our Christian profession and be fashion followers or if we are going to plead with God for the courage to stand in opposition to the prevailing degenerate fashions. We can't do both, because if we are half-hearted in this, our enemy will make sure he pulls us over the line onto his side.

The fear of being considered "old-fashioned" drives many women to become fashion followers. Can this fear originate in a godly, surrendered heart? Not likely. When we are secure in Jesus, we won't be subject to fear of what man thinks.

The truth is, unless you are a follower of fashion, you will become "outdated" in your appearance in short order. It doesn't take long, because the fashions change so quickly. The way to keep from being fashion conscious is for us to keep our eyes on Jesus, and wear what pleases Him, and not be concerned with changing fads.

There are certain classic styles that Christian women can wear that transcend fashion. If we decide that we are going to wear our skirts a certain length, or longer for modesty's sake, if we decide we're going to wear our neckline at a certain place, or higher for modesty's sake, our sleeves a certain length or longer for modesty's sake, and so on, we won't need to be worried what the fashions do. It actually looks worse to tag along behind fashion a few years, still wearing some of their silly styles, than to ignore them altogether. Classic shoe styles can be worn season after season, irrespective of the latest fad in heel thickness and toe shapes.

Women can be quite cruel to their sisters, even in the church. If someone doesn't measure up to our ideas, we call them "frumpy." The word frumpy means to wear clothing that is plain, dull or unfashionable. But wait a minute. We know through inspired counsel that God doesn't want us to be followers of fashion. If we're not following fashion, we're bound to be somewhat unfashionable in the eyes of the world. And God wants us to dress with plainness and simplicity, without gaudy display. That means we're going to appear plain in the eyes of the world. So, except for the dull part, perhaps being considered frumpy isn't so far from what Christians should be.

Before you protest too loudly, we don't imply that we should be unkempt or untidy, mismatched and dowdy. Certainly not! God loves natural beauty, and we should choose becoming colors, and make sure our clothing compliments our figure, with respect to modesty. We should dress to represent our high calling--clean, neat, orderly, well-pressed, attractive, polished, and so on. God doesn't want us to look intentionally strange, so that people gawk at us.

In fact, at the present time, there are many styles that can be found in department stores that are modest and becoming. It may take some searching, but they're out there. If we're wearing classic clothing irrespective of fashion, and our style becomes fashionable, that's fine. We should have no problem fitting in with the crowd when the crowd follows godly principles!

But it takes moral courage to stand against the crowd and dress differently when the crowd obediently copies ungodly principles.

The main reason God warns us so strongly not to be followers of fashion, is because fashion is a tool in the hands of the devil to control the affections and lusts of humanity. Prevailing fashion is the devil's arena, and we cannot enter it without being spiritually compromised.

In fact, there is a HUGE COST spiritually to those who accept fashion's standards. Let's consider that cost.