The Christian What NOT to Wear

For the past few months, I have been hearing from Christian girls all over the place that they are tired of guys staring at various parts of their bodies. The girls I have heard from are all blaming the guys for the lusting gazes. But is it really their fault?

Okay girls, this is something that I think we need to discuss. I know that not everyone here has a problem with this (in fact, most Christian girls don't), but as summer is coming up, I wanted to discuss this. We need to be careful about what we wear. Stop complaining about how guys are looking at us and take a look in the mirror.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-5

Look at your spiritual nature: We are sinful and lustful creatures, just like guys. Don't deny it. We have all ogled a guy at the pool with his shirt off, etc. Just because you're a Christian doesn't mean that you don't lust after guys like non Christian girls do.

Look at your physical body: What are you wearing to make guys want to look at you? How are you acting? As Christians, we are to wear modest clothing and to act modestly.

Chances are, the guys are looking at you because YOU are either wearing something that causes them to lust after you or you are acting in a way that makes them look at you. Let's focus on the appearance.

"...Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness-with good works." 1 Timothy 2:9-10

There are so many options for clothes out there. Fashion designers are making clothing of all shapes and sizes. If you have the money and the desire, you can wear next to nothing or you can layer to your heart's desire. What should you be wearing? What should you NOT be wearing? Let's take a look at some examples of great clothing that shouldn't make guys stare at your chest, legs, thighs, butts, etc. They might think you look pretty, though! Let's also take a look at some of the clothes that you shouldn't be wearing.

Christian clothing choices:

1. One piece swimsuits that fit: Notice that I added "that fit". Just because you are wearing a one piece swimsuit doesn't make it appropriate. It also needs to fit properly. If it is too loose, when you bend over, people can see parts of you that they shouldn't see. If it is too tight, people will be able to see parts of you that they shouldn't see.

2. A dark shirt and shorts over any type of swimsuit: This clothing choice will allow you to be free to swim and play in the water, but to be covered up. If you wear this when you go to the beach or to the local pool, I assure you that you will be more comfortable with yourself and guys will not be staring at places they shouldn't.

3. Long shorts/capris: One of the many complaints that I see is that guys like to stare at girls' legs or thighs. The best way to combat this is to cover up those areas. Long shorts and capris do a good job of covering those parts up and they are very cute and inexpensive.

4. Crew neck shirts, t-shirts, and hoodies: The biggest complaint that I see from Christian girls (and some non Christian girls, as well) are that guys tend to stare at their chests. The BEST way to fight this is to wear something that doesn't tempt them to look there. Crew neck shirts (see picture above) are shirts that don't come down very low. They are also very comfortable and fairly inexpensive. T-shirts are very similar to crew neck shirts, but they usually have fun graphics or sayings on them and they are very inexpensive. Hoodies are very popular for both the Christian and non Christian crowds. They are usually very soft and comfortable, come with fun sayings or graphics, and can be inexpensive.

Clothing that Christian girls should stay away from:

1. Bikinis: Wearing a bikini is just like walking around in your underwear. Guys get a good look at nearly any part of your body when you wear these. Yes, they can be cute, but they are also a stumbling block for guys. Please don't go here. A much better alternative to bikinis are tankinis. They are two-piece bathing suits, but they cover a lot more skin that bikinis. So if you must go two-piece, wear a tankini.

2. V-neck shirts: A v-neck shirt is like an arrow pointing to your chest. Guys are automatically drawn to look at that area, because it seems like you are advertising it when you wear these shirts. If you really want to wear a v-neck shirt, wear a nice tank top underneath it.

3. Tight pants: Tight pants cause guys to lust because they show parts of you that guys shouldn't see. Try going up one or two sizes on your jeans.