“Though it may sound strange to say, the Bible does not give an
inflexible or uniform clothing code. It does not specify any
certain color – people in the Bible wore clothing of different
colors. As to style, various robe-type garments were worn, but no
certain style of clothing is commanded. As to material,
originally God made “coats of skins” to cloth Adam and Eve, but
this did not mean all people from then on must wear only leather!
Garments made from different materials are mentioned in the
Bible.

We are told, however, that women should “adorn themselves in
modest apparel”(1 Tim.2:9). What, then, is modest apparel? Does
this mean, as some have taught, that a woman cannot wear short
sleeves? How long must a woman’s skirt be? Where does
modesty begin or end? One inch below the knee or an inch above?

Some churches make rules about the length of a woman’s skirt. One
church set a certain number of inches above the floor as a
maximum. It didn’t seem to matter that some women were shorter,
some taller than others! All skirts had to come within the given
number of inches from the floor!……….
As to sleeves, some believe a woman must always wear long sleeves
so that her elbows are covered. But are exposed elbows really so
erotically stimulating that men might be tempted to lust?…….I
have wondered why those who insist that knees and elbows must
be covered at all times do not require a face covering also.
After all, would not a pretty face be more attractive than a pair
of knees or elbows? Do not misunderstand. I believe in standards
of decency. But when big issues are made about non-essential
points, people are driven to a legalism that hinders an effective
Christian testimony. I am opposed to the extremism.

Ideas about “modesty” have varied greatly in different countries.
In old China, exposure of the upper-class women’s tiny feet was
regarded as most indecent. They were considered the most sexually
stimulating parts of the body. Virgin goddesses were sometimes
portrayed with shoes, even when otherwise stark naked. In early
Japan, a woman’s eyebrows were considered as among her greatest
charms. Some husbands would shave their brides’ eyebrows off in
an attempt to make them unattractive to other men……..In
Mohammedan countries where women must cover their faces with
veils, a woman’s first reaction might be to cover her face,
rather than her body, if suddenly surprised while
unclothed……..What might be proper or practical clothing in
Hawaii, would be impractical and out of place in Alaska. What one
might wear to work in the yard would not generally be what he
would wear to church. What one might wear to swim in would
not be practical for shopping, etc………I spoke once to a
group that felt all their women should dress the way women did in
about 1900, fix their hair by styles of that time, etc……By so
doing this, they were actually drawing more attention to the
“outward man” than if they wore clothing similar to other women
of the time. By dressing in clothes radically different than
others, they defeated the very thing they supposed they were
accomplishing. Even plain or out of date clothes can be worn with
vanity – the very drabness or difference draws attention to the
outward person, not the inner man.

How strict must we be? Must we lock ourselves away in total
silence – lest we speak a wrong word? There have been monks who
have gone for years without uttering a word.
Did this make them more holy? ……..Some in an attempt to be
holy even castrated themselves, one notable example being
Origen…….Even in our time, some become so strict they are
driven to foolish extremes. The Bible is against making an idol
or image to bow down to it(Exodus 20:4,5). but some, completely
mis-applying this verse, will not allow their children to have a
doll or stuffed toy……Some will not allow their picture taken.
I know people who have destroyed all of their photographs…..One
sect considers the mirror an invention of the devil. A person
looking into it makes an image…….One woman was against soda
pop because the Bible says not to use strong drink! There have
been people who would not eat potatoes, because the word
“potatoes” does not appear in the Bible! And in ways that are
sometimes just as inconsistent, men have made a series of
“don’ts” for women. Don’t wear lipstick. Don’t wear short
sleeves. Don’t cut your hair. Don’t wear slacks. Don’t wear
jewelry………

Where, then, do we draw the line? On what basis should standards
be measured? I can only say that as Christians we should turn our
eyes upon Jesus…….

Considering the relative nature of modesty, seeing the
inconsistency to which strict over- emphasis on the
non-essentials points has led, and weighing all of this in the
light of the total spirit and example of Jesus, I think that
certain conclusions are apparent. The wisdom of a balanced view
seems clear. We should avoid the extremes, seeking rather
the CENTER of God’s will. We need not wear rags to be holy, nor
do we need to have the most expensive clothes money can buy. It
is possible for a person through the use of make-up, jewelry, or
some forms of clothing to appear too flashy. But the other
extreme, a dull and drab appearance, is not a requirement for the
victorious Christian.
Clothes can be worn too tight – and draw attention. By the same
token, the continual wearing of baggy clothes can also be made a
display. The balanced Christian view – of all of the things that
we have mentioned in this book – seems clearly to be that we
should dress according to the custom of our time and country -
with a sense of decency and wisdom.
Let us take a stand for the high standards of the gospel, let us
stand firm for honesty, fairness, kindness, integrity, and love;
let us practice holiness, but let it be “true holiness” from the
heart, not a false holiness as that of the Pharisees. Let us
never confuse the overall objectives of Christianity with petty
points of men’s traditions, remembering that “the kingdom of God
is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in
the holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).

In essentials, then, let there be unity; in non-essentials,
liberty; and in all things, charity.”

Try this very simple trick: every day before you walk out of your house, look at yourself in a full-length mirror and ask the Lord what He thinks of your outfit. John 10:27, Galatians 5:1, James 1:5, James 4:4, 1 Peter 3:4, 1 John 2:15, Matthew 7:20, Colossians 3:2, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 3:3-4, Proverbs 31:22, John 15:19, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 14… on and on and on – your answers are in the Word of God.

Its not about other people.