Application of Inspired Principles

What is dress reform? For a summary, click Here.

Here are some samples of modest clothing.

Here are some photos of Linda, Gwen & Yolanda

On this page, we will endeavor to make a practical application of the inspired principles God has given to us.

What is Modesty:

Modesty is the opposite of trying to attract attention, elicit admiration or arouse sensuality. Modesty encompasses purity, humility and godly reserve.

The Bible teaches modesty in dress. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel." 1 Timothy 2:9. This forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Any device designed to attract attention to the wearer or to excite admiration is excluded from the modest apparel which God's Word enjoins. Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith. Child Guidance, 423

Virtue and modesty are rare. I appeal to you as followers of Christ, making an exalted profession, to cherish the precious, priceless gem of modesty. Child Guidance 417

In the Modesty Message, the four basic principles that are emphasized on this web site are: Modesty, Simplicity, Femininity and Healthfulness. These are expanded below, not to establish man-made rules, but simply to provide a practical application of the principles God has given us. You are encouraged to FIRST educate yourself with the material on the RESOURCES page, and then make the practical application. This list that follows is not comprehensive, nor is it divinely inspired. It is up to each one of us to read the inspired counsel, and then make practical application as the Holy Spirit leads us.

•  Modesty (Chaste, Pure)

What is NOT modesty:

• Anything designed to arouse sensuality
• Clinging clothes that reveal the female form
• Low necklines
• Loose and low neckline – revealing when bending over
• Sleeveless
• See-through material
• Slits, causing a flashing effect when walking which is tantalizing
• Peek-a-boo
• Short skirts

 

•  Simplicity (Plain, Natural)

What is NOT simplicity:

• Designed to attract attention
• Time consuming
• Showy, flashy
• Extravagant
• Expensive
• Flamboyant
• Gaudy colors
• Ornamental
• Profuse sparkles, sequins
• Profuse lace, ruffles, ribbons
• Making a fashion statement

 

•  Femininity

What is NOT femininity:

• Men's wear
• Uncovered Pants or jeans
• Men's styles
• Men's accessories
• Similar to men's clothing
• Men's hairstyles

For more detailed information on this topic, please click here

 

•  Healthfulness (Wholesome, not harmful)

What is NOT healthful:

• Allows limbs to become chilled
• Tight around body
• Compresses lungs
• Unstable shoes, high heels
• Not breathable material
• Not free movement
• Uncleanliness

Other principles that may not be included in the above would be: Tasteful, tidy, mended, pressed, appropriate for occasion and weather, durability, and comfort. While these are important considerations, if the article of clothing or practice doesn't pass all of the first four basic principles, these other principles become irrelevant.

Do we live in an immodest society today?

Listen to what a Seventh-day Adventist man of God, Carlyle B. Hanes preached in a sermon in 1934 regarding modesty among the church members at that time:

“A marked characteristic of this time is immodest exposure of the person, a display of physical charms, an accentuation of every bodily part which is calculated to create—what shall I say? admiration?—on the part of the beholder. O dear friends, if the desire to create admiration in this matter stopped with admiration, it would be going too far. But it is more than that. I do not need to tell you. Your flesh is as my flesh. The impulses and cravings inherent in fallen human nature are not unknown to you. No one can dress in such a way as to call attention to and accentuate the sensual, the fleshly, the physical, and then look with apparent innocence into my eyes and tell me [s]he does not know what [s]he is doing. [S]he does know what [s]he is doing. No one is a dumb as that. [S]he is cultivating and encouraging and ministering to the earthly, the passionate, the sensual, the lower nature. O people of the church of God, let us return in practice to the time when modesty and chastity and sweet simplicity were more than words, and carry out in our lives what the principles of the gospel demand—separation from the world and its fashions, adornment of its evil practices, and entire following of our Lord in all matters pertaining to life and godliness.” RH, April 26, 1934

Have you checked out what the fashions were in 1934? Why, even prostitutes of that time would be considered modest compared to what is commonly worn today. The picture on the left is a picture of 2 prostitutes in 1930. The picture on the right is of a fashion show in 1930. Remember the comment in the sermon above that "a marked characteristic of this time is immodest exposure of the person"!