I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 1 Timothy 2:9-10
“Let a woman wear a plain and becoming dress, but softer than what is suitable for a man. Yet, it should not be immodest or entirely steeped in luxury. And let the garments be suited to age, figure, nature, and pursuits.”
Clement of Alexandria (150-215) E, 2.285, in A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, ed. David W. Bercot (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1998) 170. It’s beautiful here in Egypt (pictured above).
Clement taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. He helped people apply God’s Word in everyday life. Few thoughts are more practical than his adornment advice as everyone wears clothes.
Ladies, notice the middle road down which Clement points. He calls for clothing that is plain, soft, and becoming, or as we might say in today’s terms, simple, soft, and cute.
Such simple, soft, and cute attire avoids immodestly on the one hand and that which is “entirely steeped in luxury” on the other. And notice, it is “suited to age, figure, nature, and pursuits.”
Why make a post about clothing during Advent? One of the most common gifts at Christmas is clothing. The advertisers do everything they can to insist that we must buy luxurious clothing.
To have margin to live generously, ladies, keep it simple, soft and cute. Men, don’t go soft as Clement advises your clothing be different from the ladies; wear practical clothes.
So, today is my birthday. I’m thankful my wife got me six new undershirts, new walking shoes, and some books. I am well suited for my service and pursuits in Egypt today.
Regarding attire, if we all aim at simple and practical, our clothing will neither distract from our Christian testimony nor drain our pockets of resources for generous giving.