(Photo by Selma Komisky)

Feeling Fashionable & Trendy In God’s Image

By Ashley Gomez-Morrison

Fashion. It allows us as individuals to express ourselves through colors, patterns, and a variety of accessories. Is it really any wonder that the idea of purity has also affected fashion as we know it? I for one am not surprised, however, I remain surprised that a variety of institutions, religious or not take into consideration what someone is wearing on a daily basis. In trying to identify when the idea of purity seeped its way into fashion, it appears that its always been there.

Early on within the Christian church, it was known that those who attended church must dress a certain way, let’s describe the dress as modest. I know, I know, the idea of modest dressing has been overused and over-circulated within the Christian community, along with the phrase “Modest is Hottest!” I myself have heard this phrase several times within the church and it often leaves me wondering why this phrase exists. The main attributes of purity fashion includes no tight-fitting clothing, no bold jewelry, and erogenous zones of the body must be fully covered. Now, fashion these days lands more on the opposite side of the spectrum and is seen as a form of self-expression and in some cases sexuality as well.

In looking at fashion, I would not say that purity culture affects it one way or another rather, it’s another part of the fashion world that is loved by many. In this body-positivity world that we live in people are encouraged to love their bodies as they are and to show as much skin as they want, but they are also encouraged to embrace their own unique style of fashion. However, we also see the unfortunate consequence of social media with body-shaming because one has shown too much skin or not enough depending on the person.

To me, purity and fashion have the ability to co-exist beautifully.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Although this scripture is usually discussed in the context of sexual purity, I want to take a moment to discuss it in context with fashion. As we were made in the image of God we should view our bodies as an extension of our faith. As Christians, we are meant to spread the word of God and sometimes that begins with how we present ourselves. I, as a female in my 20s, do love putting together a cute outfit for whatever the occasion calls for, however, I do remain conscious of the people I will be around. I do not feel that being a Christian hinders my self-expression through fashion, I have found what I am comfortable and not comfortable with in terms of my own sense of style and fashion. I also think other Christians can do the same, without pressure from what fashion is trending. We ultimately have to remember that we honor God with how we present ourselves and our faith.

“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”

–    1 Peter 3:4