Fashion is not just the way we dress. As the famous French Fashion Designer Coco Chanel used to say “We take fashion to exist in dresses only, well it is not so; fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening” The way we dress is not meant to define solely our body architecture, as if we were finishing off a landscaped garden, making sure the curves are just right,  but it is also meant to project, to a certain extent, our inner self.

For we are made up of body, mind and spirit. Just as the body cannot function well without a sound mind, it likewise malfunctions without the right spirit. For we are not human bodies trying to discover our true spiritual identity though our complex daily actions, but we are, in essence, spiritual beings living out this temporary life in the human.

But then we ask the famous question:- Can fashion be reconciled to our spiritual way of being? It certainly can if we do not allow the dress to wear us instead of us wearing the dress. Psychologists believe that fashion is multi-functional and full of contradictions. It can be used to impress or rebel, to fit in or stand out.

First and foremost our outward appearance has its roots in our basic inner faith and values. If a person suffers from low self-esteem or an inner sense of frustration, then there is a tendency to either project a false image through extravagant clothes to hide the true self, or reflect the true self through shabby and unsightly dress. On the other hand someone puffed up with pride and an unbridled vanity may tend either to project a false humility through a low profile dress or go to the extreme of cat-walking his way into the office.

The choice is ours. Dress can serve two purposes. It can be worn to lower the dignity and beauty of womanhood, and why not, manhood too, when is it is used as an object of desire, to provoke or solely to focus attention on self. This is more so when, for instance, low cut blouses or revealing skirts and shorts are worn tastelessly by heavily overweight, if not obese women. Dress, on the other hand can be used such that the outward appearance reflects modesty and our inner faith and values.

It is far from sinful to admire nice clothes. But it is shameful and degrading to tempt others through dress. Wrongly dressed or badly dressed will only give a false impression of the real you. There is plenty of modest, yet extremely fashionable clothing to shop around.

As another famous French Fashion Designer Yves Saint Laurent put it:- “Over the years I have learned that what is important in a dress is the woman wearing it and that we must never confuse elegance with snobbery” We are meant to take care of our body. Our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and as we find in 1 Peter 3: 3-4 of the Bible Peter says “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight”

As we progress in our spiritual journey we learn to harmonise our fashion trends with our inner belief system. The real beauty of a woman shines out when her dress and way of life reflects her dignity and self respect above all else. Just as fashion can become an object of ridicule if morality is debased, an object of folly if not dressed to the occasion, it can also be a means of projecting our true self, our inner peace and freedom.

Dress and dress well. Go for it! But if you choose to ride the wave of the latest trend, apply discernment in your choice of dress to ensure it not only fits your body but compliments your inner self. Clothe yourself well, but never forget to clothe yourself too with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and a cheerful disposition to others. For new styles of fashion emerge overnight. What’s “in” today is “out” tomorrow, and trends come and go in a blink of the eye, but the real “you”, your inner uniqueness and beauty, remains with you always.

(This article was published in PINK – May 2010 issue – Author Gordon P Vassallo)