I recently learned a new term, fast fashion. Fast fashion is defined as cheap, trendy clothing that’s mass produced to meet customer demands. It also tends to go out of style quickly because it’s made to meet society’s hunger for passing trends, not to stand the test of time. I learned that today the average person in America purchases 60% more clothing items than 20 years ago, and three-fifth’s of all clothing ends up in incinerators or landfills. Plus, many of the clothes we buy are being discarded after just seven or eight wears. Incredible!
Even though Mike and I have recently downsized, and I don’t discard clothing items after seven or eight wears, learning about fast fashion is making me take a second look at my closet, and asking myself, “Is my closet under control?” It has also inspired me look again at what the Bible and the writings of Ellen White say on this clothing and fashion topic. Here’s what I’ve gleaned so far.
Positive Counsels
Wear what’s becoming to you (AH 253)
Make yourself as attractive as possible (AH 254)
Value cleanliness, order, & appropriateness (AH 254)
Choose well-fitting garments (AH 254)
Dress with taste & virtue (AH 252) (CG 417)
Our look should inspire respect & purity (AH 254)
Clothe self with modest sensible apparel (1 Tim. 2:9
Wear what sets you apart as a Christian (1 Tim. 2:10)
Choose plain, simple & chaste clothes (CG 417)
Let dress show your estimate of material things (CG 417)
Practice economy in buying clothes (CG 421)
Be aware of “your look’s” influence (CG 421)
Practice self-denial in choosing wardrobe (CG 423)
Value natural loveliness & natural refinement (CG 423,424)
Cautions
Don’t dress like a scarecrow (AH 252)
Avoid elaborate trimming (AH 254)
Say no to needless customs and articles of clothing (AH 480)
Don’t buy merely for gratification (AH 480)
Don’t dress carelessly or be sloppy (CG415)
Avoid oddity and coarseness in dress (CG 415)
Don’t give dress undue thought (Matt. 6:28)
Avoid costly clothes & jewelry (1Tim. 2:9)
Avoid elaborate & expensive hair designs (1Tim 2:9, 1Peter 3:3)
Avoid keeping pace with absurd fashion (CG 421)
Do without the unnecessary (CG 422)
Learn the lesson of self-denial ((CG 522)
Avoid extravagance even if inexpensive (CG 422)
Avoid articles designed to attract undue attention (CG 423)
I haven’t mastered this closet creature, but I’m working on cultivating a simple, practical, and godly way to approach my wardrobe. And I love incorporating more strategies into my life that help wean my heart away from the things of this earth.
Philippians 3:8 ERV says, “I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Christ, I lost all these things, and now I know that they are all worthless trash. All I want now is Christ.”
Juanita Edge, Communication Director