From the fig leaves in the Garden of Eden to the catwalks of New York City, fashion has always been the outward expression of the heart of a culture. We all know not to “judge a book by its cover,” but what is often overlooked is the fact that the cover can give you a good idea of what’s inside. Similarly, it is not enough to claim that, “it’s the heart that counts,” therefore clothes and style don’t matter. Because they do. It is the first way that we can see an expression of someone’s heart.
In the tradition of beautiful women who knew style, like Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Onassis, and Grace Kelly, we want to learn the skill of wearing clothes – not letting clothes wear us. Each of these women realized that it is the person that matters, not the clothes, but that the clothes were an integral part of showing the person to the world. In the words of Miuccia Prada,
"What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language."
The statement our clothing makes should be in synchrony with what we say we believe. If Christ has renewed our hearts, then our fashion should reflect that. This means we might not follow pop culture's every dictate as to what is attractive or "in". Neither, however, do we pursue inward beauty at the expense of outward appearance. A daughter of the King is “all glorious within,” says Ps 45 :13-14, but she is also clothed in clothing “woven with gold” and “she shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors.” There does not have to be a trade off of either fashion or faith. Quite the opposite: our style should help us shine for Christ.
High fashion with high standards is a witness to our King.
