The Bible first mentions the issue of clothing in Genesis 3. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God they realized that they were naked, so they made coverings for themselves from fig leaves: “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” (NIV). However, shortly afterwards God made garments made out of animal skin for them: “The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:20).
From this we can see that since Genesis 3 it is now normal and right for men and women to wear clothes. However, what clothes should they wear?
Deuteronomy 22:5 says that: “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the LORD your God detests anyone who does this.” God does not give an explicit reason for this command, however, presumably it is to do with maintaining proper distinctions between men and women.
The New Testament addresses the question of what is proper for women to wear in two passages, in 1 Timothy 2:9-10, and 1 Peter 3:3-4.
1 Timothy 2:9-10 says:
I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Paul’s command to the women in the church at Ephesus is that they dress appropriately, that is, modestly. They are not to dress in a showy or sexually provocative manner. Rather they are to dress with restraint. As a result, women should be known as people who are characterized by good conduct and deeds, rather than characterized by what they wear.
1 Peter 3:3-4 says:
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
Peter says that inner beauty is more important than outward beauty: that what is most important is a women’s character, a gentle and quiet spirit. Notice that Peter doesn’t prohibit the wearing of gold or nice clothes or nicely arranged hair; rather this is of secondary important after a godly character.
So if you are a women reading this, keep working at growing in godliness, in humility, in gentleness, in good deeds since these characteristics are pleasing to God.
Bless you.
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