Balanced & Beautiful
Dressing for the Glory of God
Part 1
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DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
by Laurel Damsteegt, Part 11
Do you want a practical,
tasteful wardrobe? Begin with a careful look at how you spend
your time. Is a large part of your time spent in a schoolroom?
Do you have a lot of babysitting jobs? Are you in a traveling
choir or orchestra? Do you spend several hours a day in hard,
physical labor? Is hiking, canoeing, or rafting your passion?
If you homeschool and are at home most of the time, you probably
don’t need six suits. But neither should you live in “sweats”
all the time. Dress nicely even for family! After all, they’re
the most important people you know!
In choosing your clothes, aim for a classic look and avoid fads.
Begin with a few basic pieces with simple lines, traditional
styles, and a central coordinating color. Basic colors are
black, brown, navy, gray, and beige. Often it is best to choose
a basic color, and then add pieces with coordinating accent
colors. With a little thought and planning, the different pieces
can be mixed and matched. You don’t need to stay with only
basic colors. Just make sure that all you choose will still
coordinate with the foundation you have laid. Then your wardrobe
will hang together.
In the 1970s, John T. Molloy did extensive research on the best
way to dress in the business world. The result was the book,
Dress for Success. The principles he described are still valid
today. In fact, many of his basic principles apply to Christian
dressing. For example, he recommends sticking with simple
clothing of classic quality.
A few years after Molloy’s book was published, color analysis
became popular. Color analysis can be helpful in finding the
colors that best suit our particular complexion types.1 Also,
when we find which basic colors look best on us, we can stick
with that color family and coordinate from there. If you look
best in earth tones, you may want to steer clear of navy and
black. If you look most striking in black, brown may not be your
color.
Dressing for church calls for special care. For example, a girl
or woman who will be on the platform should make sure her skirt
will drape modestly when she sits down. No one is comfortable
when the lady on the platform is constantly tugging on her
skirt! For those helping in a children’s division, washable,
non-wrinkling clothing might be the best option.
Above all, remember that the main function of clothing in church
is not to attract attention to yourself, but to assist in
worship. “All should be taught to be neat, clean, and orderly
in their dress, but not to indulge in that external adorning
which is wholly inappropriate for the sanctuary. There should be
no display of the apparel; for this encourages irreverence. The
attention of the people is often called to this or that fine
article of dress, and thus thoughts are intruded that should
have no place in the hearts of the worshipers. God is to be the
subject of thought, the object of worship; and anything that
attracts the mind from the solemn, sacred service is an offense
to Him.”2
Distractions from another worshiper’s clothing can be a
hindrance to worship. On the other hand, Sabbath is a special
day and we show respect for God by wearing our very best—not
to look good for our own sakes but as a very act of worship.
“Many need instruction as to how they should appear in the
assembly for worship on the Sabbath. They are not to enter the
presence of God in the common clothing worn during the week. All
should have a special Sabbath suit, to be worn when attending
service in God’s house. While we should not conform to worldly
fashions, we are not to be indifferent in regard to our outward
appearance. We are to be neat and trim, though without
adornment. The children of God should be pure within and
without.”3
That’s dressing for real success!
Part 1
| 2 | 3 | 4
| 5 | 6 | 7
| 8 | 9 | 10
| 11 | 12 | 13
1. “Taste should be manifested as to colors. Uniformity in
this respect is desirable as far as convenient. Complexion,
however, may be taken into account.” Ellen White, Healthful
Living, page 120.
2. White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, page 499.
3. White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 6 page 355.
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