Fashion Is Not the Enemy of Faith

Everyone thinks that being fashionable and being faithful can’t go hand in hand. I even struggled with it myself. Before coming to Christ, I used to wear clothing that showed off my body, because that’s what I thought was “cool”. And even after finding Jesus, I struggled with putting my looks above my relationship with Christ. I have now learned that fashion can be a form of worship, not a distraction from it. It just depends on your heart.

God made us creative beings, and fashion and style are a part of that creativity. Look around you. God created this world. He filled it with color, texture, and beauty. Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female.” If God made us in His image, our creativity reflects Him as well. Fashion can be a fun way to celebrate individuality, joy, and confidence. We all love expressing our style through our clothes. Whether you're punk, corporate, or coquette, we all have ways we express our style. It’s a way of showing people who we are on the inside. But we have to remember that everything we do reflects Jesus. Even our clothes.

The real question isn’t about what you wear, it’s about why you wear it. There is a difference between dressing for attention and dressing with intention. Dressing for attention is all about seeking admiration or making a spectacle. Dressing with intention is about choosing an outfit to support your faith and values. So you want to dress in a way that will honor Jesus, instead of dressing to catch someone’s eye. I used to dress for validation, mostly from guys, but now I dress to feel confident in the woman God made me to be! Remember, “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Modesty is not a limitation. It is purpose and peace. 

Your fashion can easily represent your inner beauty, not just your outer beauty. I express my faith by dressing modestly and not putting my body on display. I want people to notice kindness and confidence in my clothing, more than skin or labels. This isn’t all about wearing clothing with bible verses, or always wearing a cross. It’s about standing apart from the crowd and respecting Jesus through your clothes. 

I encourage you to use fashion as a positive influence. You can still love trends, but don’t let them define you. Try to choose confidence over comparison. Comparison is the thief of joy! Being different in your fashion choices can be a form of quiet confidence. If you want to follow a trend, but don’t think it fits your modest standards, try to find a way to make it work instead of giving up! Maybe you can start a new trend. Modesty does not mean boring. Try to express your personality through your clothing. Remember that your best friend in modest fashion is always layering! Modest can still be modern, and trendy can still be thoughtful. Try to set an example through your modest clothing.

Loving fashion isn’t wrong. It’s about who you’re glorifying through it. You can always love fashion and love Jesus too, just make sure your faith leads your fashion.

And always remember, WWJW – What Would Jesus Wear?