Reflecting
the Colors of His Creation
Introduction:
As daughter’s of our Heavenly Father, it is so important
that we reflect His heart and let His love shine through us. This means that in
a world that pushes us to be fake and to lift up ourselves, we will have to be
different. God has called us to be vessels of light whose sole purpose is to
reflect His nature and attributes through our lives. I Timothy 2:9-10 “In like manner also, that
women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not
with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array. But (which becometh
women professing godliness) with good woks.” I Peter 3:3 “Whose adorning let it
not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or
of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that
which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which
is in the sight of god of great price.”
It seems as if God is setting a standard of conduct and
dress that is a notch above what our society and media is dictating to us. As
ladies, we are pushed to be fake and shallow with an emphasis on extravagant
measures to appear beautiful. Let us dare to be beautiful as God intended. My husband has reminded me at different times
that the beauty of actresses and such is so empty and fake. He says that these
women seem to lose that real beauty that our Creator intended us to have, that
of spirit, and a wholesome appearance.
So the first step to being beautiful is on the inside. How
often do you see a pretty face dressed to the nines and primped to a “t”, but
the attitude and demeanor are so unpleasant. Often this type of individual is so
self-absorbed, snobbish, and cliquish. They are trying so hard to be beautiful,
but have missed the point, that of a gentle Christlike spirit, full of
kindness. Always thinking of how they can show Christ’s love to everyone they
meet, instead of it being all about them, it is about Him.
On the other hand, does this mean that we need to be ugly
and sloppy, dressing in outlandish things and failing to take proper hygienic
care of ourselves? Absolutely not! I believe that part of being a vessel
through which our Creator can shine and be proud of is to take proper care of
our vessel.
I do not profess to be an expert in this area. I have so
much room to improve in this being a vessel that is so adorned and groomed so
as to draw the most attention to the Spirit that dwells within me. However,
here are a few small tips that I have come across and that I try to incorporate
into daily life.
2.
Styles of dress
a.
Determine
your Perfect Set of Colors
b.
Discover what Colors Compliment each other
c.
Yes, it might be in style, but does that style
compliment your shape
d.
Put your wardrobe through a Christ-like mirror
Don’t believe the lie that you have to be sexy to be beautiful. Sexy is
cheap, when on display for all to see, classy is a valuable comodety.
Dare to be beautiful, the way God meant and not the way the world
dictates.
e.
Don’t feel like you have to dress in the styles
of twenty-years ago, and yet make styles work for you rather than being a slave
to styles
3.
Your Shape
a.
Bigger on Top Overall
i.
Don’t accentuate the narrowness of your lower
half by wearing slim style skirts, go for a flared or A-line skirt
ii.
Create a stream-lined look up top
iii.
Add volume to your lower half
iv.
Try darker up top and lighter tones below
b.
Bigger on the Bottom Overall
i.
Don’t wear tops that are too long and cover your
seat. This only shortens your legs
ii.
Look for tops with structure that give you a
waistline, and sit above the hips
iii.
Go for not quite so much volume in your skirt
iv.
Look for angled seams
v.
Don’t squeeze into your skirts. Their needs to
be enough room at your hips; but from the widest part of your hips down should
be a gentle A-line or structured A-line
vi.
Use darker colors and drapy fabrics in subtle
prints to deemphasize the hip and derriere
c.
A little extra in the Middle Overall
i.
Don’t accentuate your thinner legs with straight
skirts
ii.
Look for tops with structure and skirts with a
bit of volume to help proportion the midsection
iii.
A one or two button fitted jacket that nips in
at the waist without being tight gives you a waist
iv.
Your tops should fall just below your natural
waist-line
v.
Deemphasize the shoulder
vi.
Empire waists are good
d.
Curvy Overall
i.
Don’t wear items that accent your hips and give
you love handles
ii.
Look for items that follow your natural curves
without clinging to them
iii.
Belts can help define the waist
iv.
Place belt just above natural waist
v.
Trumpet flared skirts are nice
vi.
Allow your bust to look trim and tailored, but
not shrink-wrapped and clingy
e.
Not Curvy Overall;
i.
You will need to pay a little more attention to
a tailored look
ii.
Don’t allow yourself to look like you are
wearing a sack
iii.
The baggy, saggy look isn’t classy
iv.
Pleating and ruffles add volume to you top
v.
You can wear flares and such at your hips
vi.
You can wear horizontal stripes
vii.
Draped A0line adds volume to lower half
f.
Extra Curvy Overall
i.
Don’t go for too much ruffle and frill
ii.
Look for clothes with clean lines and flattering
seaming. Look for stiffer fabrics that have structure
iii.
Think simple; don’t go for volume
iv.
Keep your designs flowing in more vertical patterns
or waves
v.
Don’t go tight; it only accentuates extras
A few random ideas...you can like 'em or leave 'em...however, let us partner with one another to allow the Holy Spirit to be close to our hearts as well as our mouths. May we pattern our lives after His gentle leading. May we always remember that the actions and image that we live out speak and mean more than our words could ever convey.
