article from SUMMER 2003
Inside the Fashion Racket
Each season, it becomes more difficult to find decent, respectable clothing. What is causing this trend and is there anything you can do to combat it? How does the Bible say we should dress? The answers will surprise you!
BY BRADFORD G. SCHLEIFER
Everyone wears clothes—those who do not will get arrested! No doubt, you have struggled trying to find clothing that is respectable, without making you look like a throwback to the 70s or 80s. Each year, the struggle to find something appropriate becomes more difficult. Shopping for teen fashions—especially for girls—is often an event focusing more on what not to purchase instead of what to purchase.
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If you are a girl age 13 to 19, it is nearly impossible to find pants that do not sit ridiculously low and are extremely tight, or tops that cover the midriff. The situation is no better for guys, for whom styles are extremely baggy, unkempt and sometimes unisex-looking or even feminine.
Truly, lines have been crossed and the choices are difficult, but you can make the right choices. There are guidelines and principles that not only teach you how you should dress, but give insight into what you should wear in ways you might not have imagined.
But we must first look at the fashion industry and how it has become what it is today.
Slave to Fashion
It has been said that the fashion industry and Hollywood are intrinsically linked. The latest fashions are given to Hollywood or music stars because they promote these styles. It is an advertising model that has existed for decades and one that works remarkably well!
But there is a difference between the clothing seen on the runways in New York and Paris and those you buy in the malls. There is a reason why some of those styles reach stores and some do not.
Many want to look like those they see on television, in movies or music videos. The desire to have such a “perfect” lifestyle turns the famous into “role models.” As such, they are copied—right down to what they wear.
Since most cannot afford thousands of dollars for outfits worn by celebrities, many “knockoffs” are manufactured and marketed to teens. The styles that pop stars are wearing this year will be available in stores (in varying degrees) next season. This creates a vicious cycle. Since the general public is now wearing what the “elite” in society are wearing, the elite must don something more provocative and extreme than last season.
This causes the “public” fashions to follow suit and so the cycle continues. Those who live in the unreality of Hollywood are literally dressing you, and are certainly far removed from being proper role models!
Stores do not have to choose such provocative clothing to sell. At the end of each season, designers show off samples of what they plan to produce for their next season. For instance, store owners would visit a designer’s boutique and be shown dozens of different cuts, styles, materials and looks. Through the years of owning a clothing store, I have watched this happen repeatedly. You are shown items that range from more conservative to the other extreme. Designers do not want to “pre-guess” what the mood of the market will be for the following season so they design accordingly.
Storeowners will make their orders months in advance of clothing “hitting the street.” Usually, the process is based on what other storeowners have purchased, thus limiting the variety of items you will find. This is exactly why you can go into a mall with dozens of stores and find that they all carry virtually the same thing.
Thus, two levels of filtering are created. First, your fashions are based on the horribly provocative styles and fashions of the entertainment industry. That is then filtered even further by storeowners buying what will sell. What sells is the clothing that closely resembles what is portrayed by the entertainment industry.
Teens are being dressed by the immoral entertainment industry!
Breaking the Cycle
But you do not have to blindly follow the mold that Satan’s society has created. As a teen in God’s Church, you are an ambassador to your friends. Some may be curious about the example you set—they may wonder why you do not go out on Friday nights, why you leave for the Feast of Tabernacles or why you do not eat pork. Such examples stick in people’s minds. They will remember and be able to reflect on your example when they are given a chance to live God’s Way in His kingdom. While it may feel like you are swimming upstream against a strong current, God watches you and will reward your effort.
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This principle applies to how you dress. Your effort to break free of how the world dresses is noticed by God. He has even given pointers on how one should dress to please Him.
Notice: “Let your moderation be known unto all men” (Phil. 4:5). God says the example you should set is moderation! But how do you know if what you’re wearing is moderate?
You may think, “I’m dressing like everyone else. In no way am I dressing worse than the average teen.” What seems or feels right is usually not the best way to know if something IS right: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens [listens] unto counsel is wise” (Prov. 12:15). No one wants to be a fool, and surely all would like to be wise. So, listen to counsel from those who do not rely on their own human intellect. They must base their counsel on the Bible—the true source of wisdom!
Clear Principles
Obviously, there is no verse saying how long a dress should be, or how fitted one’s pants should be. But is there a Bible principle that says it is okay to follow the dress of your friends, as long as you do not go “too” extreme? You should not compare yourself to your friends and what they think is right: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate” (II Cor. 6:17). This does not mean you have to stop talking to your friends in the world. The next verse makes clear what you must separate from: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15). These scriptures describe separating from worldly ways and attitudes.
But are these scriptures talking to you directly—or just to your baptized parents? Since your parents are in the Church, God considers you to be sanctified—set apart for a special purpose—from people in the world (I Cor. 7:14).
Therefore, these scriptures also apply to you!
While it may be true that you are not dressing worse than the average teenager, you are not the average teenager! Before considering what you should wear, first consider who you are.
Your friends have no idea of the precious knowledge you possess. They do not know about the Sabbath, the Holy Days and, most importantly, they have no idea what will soon happen to the world. Think back to the September 11 tragedy, and remember how shocked and emotional your friends were. How did you feel? Probably much calmer and not in the emotional mess that many adults—never mind teenagers—were in. Knowing God’s Plan made you stand out from among them.
Rejoicing in standing out draws God’s attention and blessings upon you. Notice the following scripture: “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid…let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:14, 16).
You are a light to your friends and your example will be remembered more than you now know!
One way to know if you are properly shining your “light” is in how you dress. For example, could you answer “yes” to the following questions about your favorite outfits?
(1) “Did I buy them for the right reasons, avoiding vanity?”
(2) “Would I be comfortable wearing them in front of my parents?”
(3) “Would I be comfortable wearing them in front of a president, prime minister, king, queen or other head of state?”
(4) “Would I be comfortable wearing this outfit in front of God?”
You may think: “I want to dress respectably, but I can’t find anything that is respectable.” As the world degrades further and further, this task will become even more daunting. However, you can find clothing that is fashionable yet moderate!
The key is where and how you look. Simply going shopping for the sake of shopping is a sure way to feel that you never have anything to wear. Once you get into the habit of buying new clothes all the time, you will not appreciate what you already have, because you are constantly lusting for new things. You will feel as though you have “nothing to wear” because you have nothing new in your wardrobe.
If you find you cannot curb shopping, try browsing! Then only buy clothing when something really sparks your attention and satisfies the questions above.
Another option is secondhand stores. The quality and variety of clothes that are resold is amazing. And because the fashion industry works in cycles (what is out of fashion today, will be in fashion tomorrow), you can actually end up buying better clothes for less cost. Secondhand stores tend to have clothing that is fashionable yet more moderate.
Yet another option is sewing your own clothes. While not for everyone, this has great potential! You can select fabrics and cuts that are in style, but refrain from all the problems that are inherent with following trends.
You may have other ideas on how to dress properly (while still being fashionable) from your direct experience in buying clothes. There are many options to help you avoid feeling like you are dressing old-fashioned, but at the same time not dressed like the indecent and provocative performers in music videos. There are options; you just have to be creative!
Dressed by God
You now understand how God views how you should dress, why it is important to be moderate, and how this differs from just being “moderate among your peers.” Remember that you can help other teens in the Church. You can give each other ideas and support because you all understand what others go through.
You are an example and a light to the world. One day, your worldly friends will remember your example, even to the point where you may be teaching them God’s way in the kingdom of God.
Here is another reason why the clothing we wear matters. The Bible tells us to “be clothed with humility” (I Pet. 5:5) and to “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12). To further expand their meaning, look up these words in a concordance or dictionary.
Dressing properly and following the other ways God teaches you to dress will not only make you special and unique in the eyes of your peers, but also in the eyes of God!
Imagine what it will be like explaining to your friends why you chose to be different now, when they will later know God’s way.
So stand out! Let your light shine and be the example that you can be!