Does God’s Word teach women how to dress to fully honor and glorify Him? It surely does as we will see in a moment.  Before we go into the details of how God wants his ladies to dress, let us remember why we have to wear clothes in the first place.  Please click HERE to read about that, then continue on with this post. 

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 works.
1 Timothy 2:-10  



The greek word for modest is kosmios and the definition is:

 ‘orderly, of good behavior’.

The greek word for ‘apparel’ is katastole. 

1.    a lowering, letting down, down (kata) 

2.    2. a garment let down, dress, attire (stole); “stello,” meaning “to send.”


Apparel, Apparelled katastole connected with katastello, "to send or let down, to lower" (kata, "down," stello, "to send"), was a garment let down; "dress, attire," a long loose outer garment worn by kings and persons of rank,"stole")  


When Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves, God covered them with a robe type garment. (See Genesis 3:21)

We also see how long a ladies dress should be by the following verse:

Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man. 
(Isaiah 47:1-3)
 
Nakedness and shame is shown as uncovering the leg as well as the thigh and uncovering the hair (removing a woman's veil).  Therefore ladies should wear long dresses and skirts that come down close to the feet so the leg is not bared.


Let’s take the Greek words for modest and apparel and insert them in 1 Timothy 2:9


1 Timothy 1:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in (orderly; of good behavior)  (long, loose, garments/robe), with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array 

We see that the word 'modest' in today's English is not the same as the greek word 'modest'.  


Jeans, pants, shorts, short or tight skirts, tight shirts, t-shirts, capris etc are not flowing and form covering, and therefore are unbiblical.   (Nor are they shamefaced or sober.)  This sort of clothing shows the form of a woman instead of covering/hiding it.

1 Peter 3:3 also shows us how we are to clothe ourselves:

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel


Ladies are also instructed not to use clothing as a form of adornment which means not conforming to this world (Romans 12:2) in styles, and patterns etc.  For example: flowers, lines, dots etc are unnecessary for the clothing and are nothing more than adornments.  God's Word does not outline what color we should wear so in keeping with the spirit of being meek and shamefaced a woman should pick simple colors and while doing so, keep in mind that the reason she has to wear clothing is because of sin.  Women should not use clothing as adornment per the scriptures.

A godly woman's clothing should be form covering (long and loose) and not costly, loud, flashy and stylishly worldly.  See a post HERE that goes into detail about how a godly woman is to adorn herself.    It might be good for you to go read that post and then come back here.  It can be challenging to find biblically modest clothing today but is definitely possible. (Many women complain that it is too cold in the winter to wear a dress...the simple answer is to wear thermal leggings underneath, if you cannot fit them under your skirt or dress then it is too tight.

As per 1 Peter 3 and 1 Timothy 2 a woman's adornment is NOT to come from external adornment such as jewelry, make up, flashy, fancy, adorned clothing etc.  Instead women are to adorn themselves from the inside with a godly, quiet spirit as in the days of old such as Sarah.  The bible also does not tell us to dress in a carbon copy manner of one another as some groups choose to do. Long, loose, clean, neat plain and simple should be what women strive for in their dress, keeping in mind that we represent the God of the universe and the reason we wear clothes is because of sin.  

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:15-17 

Godly women are to cover their temple in the manner that glorifies God and God has told us how that is to be done, not like the world.


Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
1 Corinthians 16:19-20



A godly woman who is dressed biblically (not 'modestly' according to the world) will not be mistaken for the world and her clothing and head cover will shout to the lost as a witness without her saying a word.  This is a powerful testimony as well as conviction to those outside His order.  

1 Peter 1:15 tells us to be holy (set apart) so godly women will be set apart from the world in their dress as well.


What a blessing that women of God have in proclaiming such an awesome and beautiful order that God has created. 

This is not called legalism, this is called obedience to God’s Word.  What do we call disobedience to God’s Word?  Sin.  The sin of false teaching abounds in most religious organizations by convincing women through this lie that the (Holy Spirit) inspired teaching of 1 Timothy 2, does not pertain to today.  This is called cultural relativism and is what many women have bought into therefore deceiving them into the sin of disobedience.  

The lie (sin) of feminism has convinced women that they don’t need to follow God’s Word in this area (see HEADCOVERING for another very important area to study) and instead they have stepped into what the bible would describe as being disobedient, looking like a harlot or acting like an adulterous woman- loving the things of this world rather than the things of God.  These are not minor or insignificant issues, these are instructions for those who (Mark 12:30) love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength



Many people will contest with the fact that God looks upon the heart.  He does but He judges our deeds and what is manifest on the outside is an example of what is on the inside.


Some claim clothing is not a big issue?  Isn’t it?  Let’s see what God’s Word has to say about it.


In the Old Testament God had specific requirements on how the temple was to be adorned and He has done that as well for us today through 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Peter 3 with our body being the temple of the Holy Spirit.  He does not want the Holy Spirit to reside in a temple (body) that is clothed in a sinful worldly manner.

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(1 Corinthians 6:20)

Let us keep in mind the warnings Paul brings us to those who will not obey even in the 'so called' little sins...

Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. 
(2 Thessalonians 3:6)

He then goes on to say:
And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 

But it's just a little thing?  Paul doesn't think what we call little things are little because he referred to a lazy man. 

Why would Paul say that?  Because:
A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9)

By harboring (which is approval) a brother or sister who insists in sinning in the way of worldly dress after clearly being shown in the Word, they are a danger to the body.

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Be very careful to not be listing sins as small and therefore not put them as a priority to be taken care of because we clearly have shown you that nothing is small and in fact let's ponder this verse:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty  (1 Corinthians 1:27)

What we see are the 'so called' smallest issues turn out to be huge issues because they can cause you to be rebuked and shunned so that you may be ashamed.  By leaving these so called little leavens, there is the risk of ruining the whole batch.

Worldly dress is unbiblical and not in line with the word of God, instead it is in alignment with the world and who is the god of this world? Satan, so a worldly dressed person is in line with satan's system.

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.  
​1 John 2:15 


Will you follow our beloved Savior in spirit and TRUTH (John 4:24) or will you continue to follow man-made false religion, carnal ways and feminist lies?  

(Proverbs 14:12) 
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.

But yet they overlook adornment on clothing...

Good day sister saints!
I made an audio that you might find encouraging called a Crown of Thorns and a Humble Heart. Let us sisters strive to be a lowly humble servant and follow after our Master who was one Himself.
I hope your day is peaceful in Him.
Sister Deb

Praise the Lord when a woman comes out from the world and serves the King of Kings.  This article is to warn you about the pitfalls of cape dresses. 

God's Word instructs women what to wear, click HERE to read that article, then come back and finish reading here.   God's Word also teaches women NOT to adorn themselves in the flesh or the clothing, click HERE to read that as well.  Those two articles will give you a foundation of clothing for Christian women. 

This article is to address the subject of cape dresses.  The reason for this article is that there are women who are redeemed and from the world and once they learn that women are to wear long robes/dresses, they wonder what kind and how to go about that transformation.  Cape dresses seem to come up toward the top of the list because many believe that the Mennonites, Amish, German Baptists etc are biblically correct in their dress.  We are here to expose potential immodesty in such clothing of such groups.  

Although comparing an Amish/Mennonite/German Baptist woman with the world you will see that she looks much more biblical than the worldly woman but is that what God's Word says?  We will show you how to go further, past man made traditions that Jesus warned us about in Colossians 2:8 and into the fullness of God's Word.

If you have never seen a cape dress, it is a one piece dress from shoulders to feet.  (The Amish sometimes use individual pieces that when pinned, look like one piece.)  Cape dresses also have an extra layer of fabric laying over the chest and back area so as to provide more coverage on that area.  In essence, if a cape dress were made properly, it would be a wonderful piece of clothing but sadly, immodesty has crept into those sects and many of their dresses leave little hidden.

One problem with the modern cape dress is that the cape is attached to the waist and is normally form fit around the waist area, therefore giving the eye a silhouette of the lady's form; thus negating the purpose of covering the body.  If the dress is not sewn to form fit, many have ties so they can be pulled in at the waist thereby showing off the form.  The idea of wearing a form fit dress goes totally against God's Word.

Another issue with the modern cape dress is that most of them are adorned with flowers and patterns and then topped off with modern day designer jackets, bags and heeled shoes.

We are not to be conformed to this world:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)

If you read the articles mentioned above you should plainly see by God's Word what His standards are for His daughters in the matters of dress.  A godly woman will dress in a shamefaced manner (1 Timothy 2) in long dresses/skirts that are loose so as to cover the form and are plain in appearance.

A woman who used to dress like like the world (the bible calls that dressed like a harlot) who is made a new creation in Christ, will see after she dresses biblically that the majority of men will offer her respect as opposed to ogling her like an object.  A woman who is biblically dressed and covering her head (click HERE for that article) is also protected from herself in vanity, pride and adulterous display to men.  

A godly man who has a godly woman biblically dressed and headcovered should see the vast sinful difference between the world and his wife and should then see the immodest worldly dressed women as naked and shameful to to look away from, as opposed to something desirous to look at.


Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;  2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.  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;  4 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.  (1 Peter 3:1-4)

We've had personal experience with many of the Mennonites, Amish, German Baptist etc and see their groups allowing their women to dress unbiblically as stated above and some are going as far as to allow pants, uncovered heads, makeup, jewelry for women.  They are becoming more and more like the world in those aspects.  (Be warned the Amish, Mennonites, German Baptists and other groups like them have various other unbiblical ways about them, we use them as an example because there are many new babes in Christ being deceived by not only their doctrine of works but their dress and behavior as well.)  

The subject of a godly woman's clothing should not be complicated and if a woman truly wanted to wear a cape dress, she is fully capable of sewing a plain dress that is unadorned/plain, loose and flowing that does not show the form and has a material that does not form and cling. But, a woman can certainly find clothing at thrift stores if she searches, simply buy them a couple sizes larger.  Yes, it can be difficult to find plain skirts (there are more plain shirts than skirts) but how many outfits does a godly woman need?  Women have a problem with too many clothes and godly women need to be aware that too many choices and too many varieties are appealing to the flesh and will snare her into the clothing trap again.  Remember, these are sin coverings, not adornments, not a way to show how fit we are, not a way to draw attention...clothing should be looked at as nothing more than cloth draped on the body to cover it.

So ladies, beware of the cape dress trap and if you choose to go that route, be sure it does not resemble the typical dresses you see but instead make it one worthy of standing before the Lord of Lord's.  

Quite often while speaking to professed believers or in testing religious body's claiming Christ, we come across the word 'modest' (or conservative) in reference to the clothing of a godly woman.  (In the past we may have used that word incorrectly and as we come across articles with it we will correct it.)  This article is to distinguish the vast difference between the commonly used phrase 'modest dress' vs 'biblical dress'.  Test yourself HERE to the biblical gospel to make sure you are a daughter of the most High.

In 1 Timothy 2 we see in the KJV that women are to 'adorn themselves in modest apparel' and it continues to outline the nature of a woman in many verses.  (Read it for yourself)


11In 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;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
Also read 1 Peter 3:1-6.

Man made religion would take that and say 'See, women can adorn themselves!'.  Yes, godly women are to adorn themselves but in the ways of the Lord, not the outward adornment of the world that we see today (read an article on adornment HERE.

Next, some (most don't really care what people wear regardless of how vile it is) say women are to wear 'modest clothing' thereby summing the scriptures by using 2 words instead of the whole context.  Let's examine the word modest and apparel.

According to the dictionary of today, modesty in reference to clothing generally means:
*Not showing too much of a person's body
*Shy about showing her body especially in a sexual way

There are some professed believers that would agree with that summary but what exactly does that mean?  Based on what grounds can one measure how much is too much or what exactly can they compare non sexual to sexual display?  They allow culture to dictate what modest means and not what God's Word says.  Culture today says jeans on a woman is modest compared to shorts.  Shorts to the mid thigh are modest compared to volley ball shorts (that look like underwear).  A one piece swim suit is modest compared to a bikini.  Culture 100 years ago thought showing a woman's calf as immodest.  The problem is, man has taken the words modest apparel and translated that to mean 'clothes that are whatever we decide is modest at the time per culture.'

What does God's Word says about 'modest apparel'?

The greek word for 'modest' is : kosmios and means 'orderly, of good behavior', well arranged, decorous.

Much of the meaning would refer to the attitude and nature of a woman.

Apparel means: katastole which if you read our article on clothing (click HERE to read it) you will see it means long loose clothing (Robes/dresses as we call them today not pants or shorts.)

Generally translated for today would be that women are to adorn themselves in well arranged,orderly, long loose dresses.  Let's not stop there, we see in the entire verse and the remaining ones after that women are not to be adorning themselves or their dresses as they are to be shamefaced and sober and the example is the women of old.

Taking both 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Peter 3 into full context in regard to clothing; a godly woman is to dress herself in unadorned (plain, solid) long loose dresses in a shamefaced and sober manner.  Read an article HERE on how a godly woman is to cover her head as well.

What we see though, are professed believers who cling to the 'modest clothing' mindset and they look like harlots (also adding jewelry and makeup ) because they use their own thoughts and judgments and not the truth of God's Word whereas if a godly woman follows His Word and truth they will not be showing any form in their loose clothing, they will be unadorned (no patterns on the clothing, no jewelry, no makeup etc) and will look nothing like the world today.

Therefore we try to refrain from using the word modest when referring to clothing, we say 'biblical dress' which is totally different.