I don't often dive into the realm of men's fashion, but there is an issue that has been drifting in and out of my head that I feel may (or may not?) need to be talked about.
I've read many Christian articles and blog posts on the topic of modesty in women's fashion, and more than a few of them bring up the struggle that men face with lust and purity, and how we as women can help our brothers avoid stumbling by dressing modestly. While I think there are other good and biblical reasons to dress modestly, I would not disagree with this stance. Personally, I want to love my brothers in Christ in this way.
But the thing is, women struggle with purity too.
My question is this: Why doesn't the church talk about modesty in men's fashion?
I'm not saying that since women have to do x, y, and z to dress modestly, men should have to do a, b, and c. I can see how this could possibly be taken as an issue of gender equality, but I see this as ultimately being an issue of sin: sinning against others, and against God.
Men and women are wired differently, so we do struggle with purity in different ways. Men may struggle with it more than their female counterparts do, but that shouldn't negate the battle that women face. Our struggles may be less intense, but that does not mean they are less real.
Fellas, I'm not saying that you should keep your shirts on, your pants at your waist, and your running shorts at your fingertips solely for the ladies in your lives, but I am asking that you consider the message you are sending (whether intentionally or unintentionally) when you choose to dress like that. We tend to stereotype lust as a masculine struggle, but it might be good for us to remember that women are not immune to its temptations.
What do you think? Am I completely off-base here? Or is there a grain of truth in what I'm saying?
photo credit: Ryan Abel via photopin ccLabels: faith, fashion, modesty
