Modest is Hottest

A friend in college gifted me a shirt for my 20th birthday. I opened up the pink bag covered in glitter and balloons and pulled out a similarly pink colored tee with bold black letters reading “Modest is Hottest.” I wasn’t quite sure what to make of the shirt. I let out a giggle and thanked him for the gift. Years later, married with a baby girl on the way, I found the shirt buried between fashion eras 1998 and 2002. As I was continuing my search to find anything that would fit my full belly, I realized the message behind it. Modesty is not just about covering up all the goods, it’s about glorifying Christ and respecting your relationship with God and yourself.

Maybe modesty isn’t a word you really think about. Maybe you’ve had a vague idea that it means ugly or out of style or unfashionable. The word “modest” means “unpretentious.” Synonyms for unpretentious are honest, real, natural, sincere, humble and unpretending. The attitude in how we dress reflects the depths of our heart and how we view ourselves. Is your heart honest, or is your outward appearance trying to hide something rooted within? Are you pretending so in response displaying an unnatural fashion characteristic that is not yourself?

We are God’s image bearers, and the way we present ourselves – our words, clothes, attitude, and character – should reflect in how we glorify Him. Images are reflections, and that’s what we were crafted to be—reflections of God here on earth. We were created to be signboards pointing others to Him, mirrors displaying His character to the world. When people see us, they see aspects of God. It goes right to the heart matter of why we wear what we wear. Our clothes, whether we realize it or not, say something.

The virtuous woman is clothed with strength and honor, and the fashion on a woman’s body should reflect that strength and honor. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30 KJV) In a world where modesty is anything but popular, your eagerness to find yourself pleasing under God, as well as embodying who He created you to be, speaks from the inside out. When you look into your closet, inventorying the cotton tees, office attire, summer dresses, etc., what do you see? What story is it saying?

A woman who loves herself and who God created her to be?

A woman who honors God reflecting His image?

A woman who isn’t self-seeking, but walks confidently representing Christ?

Personal reflection questions:

1. What does the word “modest” mean to you?

2. What story is your closest saying?

3. What statement do your clothes make about your heart?

Goal setting and sharing (Abstract Conceptualization):
List three goals that you would like to accomplish (at home, at work, with family, etc.) that will allow you to live out your purpose in regards to modesty:

Natalya White

CREATED WOMAN JUNE LINE UP: FASHION

We believe that as Ambassadors of Christ, it’s okay to show up well! We believe our identity and self-worth comes through Christ and as we embrace our unique personality and quirks He has given us, our fashion becomes an outward expression of who we are created to be. Plus, fashion is a whole lot of fun!