Everyone wants to look elegant when we step out of our homes. How you groom yourself will determine your outlook and how people relate with you. When going to worship, grooming is particularly an important activity because of the piety of the church.
This article looks at the stereotypes attached to dressing for women when attending church activities.
- Revealing attire:
Churches across the world advocate for modesty in their dress code. Too much skin is often frowned upon and is considered inappropriate by many churches. Women are expected to cover their bodies as ‘your body is the temple of the Lord’. Church ministers will go to the extent of banishing women who show up in what is considered to be skimpy wear, and with grave consequences.
- Tight-fitting attire:
Yet another no-go zone for women in church is tight outfit. This is considered to be immoral and ‘tempting’ particularly to the men who cannot stop ogling at the women during prayer and praise worship. As a rule, women and girls must wear loose-fitting clothes in church and avoid any outfits that might be considered club-wear. Church service is a solemn event which is supposed to bring the people closer to God and therefore, a more formal dress is usually preferred.
- Cleavage:
Cloths that reveal the cleavage are an abomination to many churches across the world. They carry various connotations such as lust and seduction, which is also linked to prostitution in some cultures. The church abhors any acts of extramarital nature and teaches its followers to value of purity and to demonstrate it through their actions; including in dressing.
- Excessive make-up:
Glitz and glamour is not readily accepted in any church. Depending on which town you are in, women are expected to wear their make-up with moderation. Our contemporary society puts a lot of expectation on women and literally dictates what they wear every day and how they present themselves at home and away. If women wear their make-ups, lip-sticks and other beauty products to church, they risk being judged by ministers and fellow congregants as being attention seekers and malevolent objects that are likely to diminish the church’s reputation.
There are church organizations that have sought to demystify the various stereotypes placed on women dressing, not only in church but also elsewhere. They are doing a lot to help people understand that women should not be equal to their hair, dress or skin. Women and girls should feel free to dress in whichever way they choose because it is a free world and people should exercise their free conscience.
