How to Evaluate the Clothes in Your Closet :

 

This may or may not be helpful to you in moving toward modesty. If checklists and charts fit into your way making decisions, you may appreciate this tool. If not, don't bother with it!

There are four basic categories on which you may wish to grade your articles of clothing. Using the traditional grading scale may help you to categorize each item. A=Excellent, B=Above average, C=Average, D=Below Average, F=Failure. If an item gets an F in any category, it should probably be disposed of, unless you can utilize it as an undergarment, etc.

As you move toward modesty, you can raise your acceptable standard, until you reach God's ideal. Evaluate each item by each of these 4 categories. For example, a shirt or dress with a very low, revealing neckline gets an automatic F. It should be put in the reject pile, unless you have a plan to wear something over or under it to make it modest.

Your next item may have an acceptable neckline. So then you need to evaluate for tightness, sheerness, short sleeves that reveal the underarm, and so on. If it passes high in all these areas, give it an A in the first Modesty category, and proceed to the next category. If it passes all categories with high marks, it's a keeper!

If you are serious about Dressing to Please Jesus, make sure you pray a prayer of surrender before you begin your clothes evaluation, asking Him for strength to be honest and firm in your decisions. In His strength, separate your affections from those things that are not pleasing to Him.

1. Modest vs. Revealing

• Sheer material

For tops

• Low neckline (Set a standard for yourself, i.e. 2 inches below the collar bone, etc.)
• Low back, or midriff style revealing skin in inappropriate areas
• Loose neckline – revealing when bending over
• Peek-a-boo effect
• Shirt sleeves or sleeveless – revealing your underarm or shoulders
• Clingy – form fitting that accentuates curves

For bottoms

• Too short – Knees visible while sitting or standing
• Tight – clings to reveal shape of hips, thighs, crotch
• Slits
• Sensual – designed to arouse sensuality

2. Simple vs. Showy

• Extravagant, lavish in price or appearance
• Showy, flamboyant, flashy, outlandish
• Glitzy, glamorous, sparkly, sequins
• Profuse lace, ruffles, ribbons, ornaments, beads, etc.
• Gaudy colors or designs
• Fashion statement
• Designed to attract attention

3. Feminine vs. Mannish

• Masculine style
• Similar to men's clothing – pants, jeans, overalls
• Belts, shoes, hats, jackets similar to men's

4. Healthful vs. Harmful

• Covers torso warmly, leaving limbs uncovered
• Tight, constricting blood flow
• Restricts respiration
• Places heavy weight on hips
• Shoes unstable, high heels, pinches feet
• Tight underwear

Other considerations: Is the clothing: Appropriate for the occasion and weather, not causing others to lust, nor be envious, not causing undue attention? Neat, orderly, tasteful, well-mended, quality material, clean, well-pressed, not tacky or bizarre? Ask Jesus if this particular item will serve to glorify Him, and draw others to Him rather than to yourself.