Using Conscious Fashion to Build a Wardrobe
WE LOVE FASHION HERE.
USING CONSCIOUS FASHION TO BUILD A WARDROBE
If you love keeping up with trends, and finding your own personal style — you are in the right place. We believe that fashion is a place where you can express your freedom in Christ. When you are changed from the Inside out people notice. All of a sudden you no longer dress for attention, but for expressing yourself and who you are. You know your identity and this doesn’t change with the changing fashion seasons.
Religion says you are too much, hide, and cover yourself with shame. Jesus Christ says I have paid the price you have freedom, my child.
THEOLOGY AND FASHION
The Bible talks about fashion in a very interesting way. There’s examples of the wrong way it is used and there’s examples of how God knows that what you wear is important to you. Fashion should never BE your identity. The Bible also offers a better place to put your identity.
Here’s a strong example of where fashion or adornment, as the Bible says, is used in a wrong way.
The first two women mentioned in the Bible who are married to the same man (which is never God’s desire) are named Adah and Zillah (Genesis 4:19-26). Adah means adornment and Zillah means shadow. When I found this out I got goosebumps. Isn’t this the shallow struggle of being a woman? Their husband, Lamech, was a wicked and violent person. He murdered a person for injuring him and then brags about it. It’s in the Bible to show how this is wrong. A woman is not meant to be a shadow nor an adornment. And we can’t let either happen.
In the New Testament we read that women were finding new freedom in a culture where they were considered property. In 1 Timothy 2:9, “likewise also that 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.” We see this very specific list. This verse has been taken literal and used to control what women wear for centuries. I think it’s important to look at this verse and look at the culture of that time. Women dressed very specifically for their roles in life.
This is also a reminder from Paul that women are not to be an adornment or something to be owned, co-owners with Christ. And this was a reminder from Paul to basically not dress weird. For us today it is important to remember that that passage is cultural. Our takeaway is that Jesus gives us something amazing in His grace — freedom and an identity that doesn’t change.
My favorite person in the Bible is Lydia. She is mentioned in Acts 16:11-15; 40. She was a seller of purple goods and must have had great influence. She was the first one to believe in Jesus in her community and after that her family all came to know Jesus. The Bible never mentions her in relation to a man. Women in that time were known by their father or man, however, Lydia’s family isn’t really mentioned. This is clear, through the fashion of that day, purple fabric, she had great wealth. She helped support Paul and the church leaders when they came to Philippi. She’s also mentioned with Dorcus and Phoebe who were very influential leaders or deaconesses in the early church. This fashion designer helped grow and spread the Gospel.
THERAPY AND FASHION
Fashion is the best self care in my opinion. Self-care, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress. Self-care is a tool to help us as life gets crazy. We’ve all had stressful circumstances in our lives that were unwanted, unplanned, and not fun to wake up to and face. How do we keep going? We spend time alone to journal, pray, read our Bibles… But what about when it’s hard to get out of bed? And you have to finish classes, get to work on time, take care of kids… There’s many techniques that you can read about in psychology and learn about in counseling and therapy. One of the tools I’d like to suggest to you is fashion.
Fashion as Self-Care
There’s many reasons why fashion is a form of self-care. We live in a broken world. From the very beginning God did give Adam and Eve clothing as a protection. And to this day, clothing is a protection, a form of expressing ourselves without letting everyone know what is going on inside. Clothing is an emotional boundary in a way. I like to say it is a preview you give to the world about yourself. I have a habit of dressing up more when I feel stressed out. I look forward to a new makeup technique when I feel overwhelmed. There’s so much to be said about how emotions, how we are created, and what we wear go together. I am not just making this up, there’s Fashion Psychology behind this self-care method. Here’s an interesting fact about fashion psychology that you may not have known. It’s been around for a long time.
You can read more about this topic HERE.
CONSCIOUS FASHION
On this blog I try to show you the best brands who are ethical, sustainable, and fairtrade. When I find a company that I love I just want to share this with you. I will also tell you when I thrifted the piece I am wearing. I thrift soooo much! Not only because it is good for the environment (fast fashion has been filling up landfills at crazy amounts in the most recent years) but also because it’s a great way to save money. You can read more about ways to shop sustainably and ethically HERE.
You can browse the categories below for more fashion content.
How to Prevent Hair Loss and Hair Breakage
Top 5 Reasons You Should Go to Seminary
The Puff Dress Summer Fashion Trend
5 Devotionals You Should Read
DIY Dip Powder Nails by Azure Beauty
How to Shop More Sustainably
How to Express Your Emotions in Your Relationship
5 Thoughts About The Abercrombie & Fitch Documentary on Netflix
Fashion As Self-Care
White Tee Options
Grieving a Lost Dream
Spring Fashion Trends to Look Out For
Affordable Hiking Outfits that Bring the Heat
The Real Reason I Decided to Study Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Why I am a 30-Year-Old Woman of Color Who has Just Been Diagnosed with ADHD
I Bought a Spin Bike that’s Not a Peloton
ED – The Mental Illness with Physical Manifestations
Airbnb TreeHouse Tour
How to Be A Safe Place for Your Partner’s Emotions
29 Lessons I’ve Learned
What to Look for in a Guy
Five Things I Learned From the Book, Atomic Habits
How to Set Boundaries with Your Social Media Intake
How to Create Goals Using the Passion Planner
How to Wear White this Winter
The Most Popular Western Boots This Winter
How to Change Your Perspective According to Philippians 4
30 Day Gratitude Journal
How to Start A Fashion Blog in 2021
Mental Health Resources
25+ Jackets for Fall
Four Questions to Ask Yourself When You Are Self-Reflecting
Links & Resources
How to Clean Out the Memories in Your Closet
How to Bleach Your Hair Blonde at Home
Ten Things to Wear On Your Summer Vacation
Five Ways to Add 70s Flair to Your Wardrobe
Mental Health: Who Do I Talk To?
100 Summer Dresses
Faith Essentials
The Top Color Trends of 2021
God’s Redemption Story Told Through The Lives of the Women of The Bible
The Rubber Boots that Got Me Through February
Twenty-Eight Lessons I’ve Learned
Try This Relationship Reset From 1 Peter 2-4
Five Ways to Plan Your Year According to the Bible
What to Do When You Can’t Accomplish Your Goals.
Sustainable Tip: Wash Your Shoes with Allbirds
Gift Guides for Your Friends
Just Call Me a Nomad – Finding Belonging in the Family of God.
How To Make Shea Butter Natural Soap
Helpful Tools for Family Relationships During the Holidays + Jewelry From Loved By the Lion
Small Businesses Holiday Gift Guide
How to Pray Scripture Over Your Friendships
Christmas Home Decor Favorites
Does the Bible Talk About Depression? – 1 Kings 19
Sweater Dresses You’ll Love
Shop Black-Owned Businesses Holiday Gift Guide
6 Steps to Positive Self Talk Using Ephesians 2
Why You Should Repeat Your Outfits
Risking it All — Esther’s Hope in Her Identity
Don’t Get the Gospel Message Backwards | Luke 18:19
How to Style Wide Leg Jeans
Three Ways To Listen Better
Does the Bible Talk About Depression?
Five Things You Need In Your Personal Life to Date Successfully
Bible Study Tools & Apps
It’s A New Day – 2 Corinthians 15:2
Summer to Fall Bike Shorts Outfit Looks
Three Ways Discontentment May Be Running Your Life
What to do When Leaders Fall
Trend Alert: Linen Blazer
3 Ways to Keep Your Spiritual Battery Charged
Wisdom is Closer Than You Think – James 1:5
How Do You Respect Your Parents When You’ve Moved Out?
What You Do is Not Your Worth
Are You Carrying Too Much Today?
Your Life Smells of God’s Love
Three Tips to Finding a Vintage Jumpsuit
When Faced With The Impossible
How to Deal with People Who Are Power-Hungry
The Bible Verse You Should Know Before You Date
How to Face the Fear of Failing
A List of Vintage Caftan Summer Dresses
How to Take off Your Perfectionism Mask
The Wardrobe
Lessons I’ve Learned From Dads
Your Words Have Influence
10 Ways to Start Change
A Different Type of Peace
Summer Shorts
Your Plans Are Not Wasted
How to Share Your Faith During a Crisis
Why We Should Laugh
What is Repentance?
How to Get Off the Jealousy Cycle
Stay At Home Amazon Essentials — What’s in My Amazon Cart
Being Single During a Pandemic
One Dress. Five Looks.
Prayer in a Pandemic
What to Watch on Netflix
Dearborn Denim Review
Managing Stress and Anxiety: Best Calming Techniques
Style Thrift Find: Baggy Cargo Pants
Travel Makeup Needs + Ellis James Designs
Twenty-Seven Lessons I’ve Learned
Take a Self Care Test
Galentine’s Day Celebrate the Women in Your Life
How To Know If You Are Moving Too Fast In Your Relationship
10 Questions to Ask the Person You’re Dating + Valentine’s Day Sweater Options
God is Good
Packing for Ten Days in a Duffel
Sustainable Gift Guide Featuring Parker Clay
How to Stop Dating For the Next Best Thing
Don Giovanni Costumes at the Lyric Opera Chicago
What About School Psychology?
How To Deal With Post-Grad Depression
White Haute – A Spa For Your Teeth
6 Simple Things You Can Do to Listen Better
Money, Fame, and Believe in Yourself
Equilibria Review
All About Abby Alley
How To Keep A Friendship With Friends In A Different Life Stage
I Pinky Promise to Be Real + GLDN
How to Stop Comparing
How to Have Close Friends, Not Crappy Ones
Be Kind to Yourself + How I Styled My Tucker NYC Dress
A Mom’s Day Sale + Three Things I Have Learned About Myself From My Mom.
Our Wedding Pictures + Wedding Photo List
Live By Conviction, Not Curiosity
Finding Your Truth
Valentine’s Day Edit
Expectations Vs. Reality Post-Wedding
Big News! You Have Great Ideas
Life Lately…
This Time Last Year…
Morning Routine with Full Unicorn Beauty
How To Know If Your Relationship is A Green Light
How to Know if Your Relationship is a Red Light
My Favorite Outfits From American Eagle
One Wig, Four Halloween Costume Ideas
My Wedding Dress
This Fall With pRana
Saying Goodbye to My Single Self
Dear Younger Self… You Were Right!
My Weird Week and Thrifty Fall Jacket Inspo
Pretty Please, With A Cherry On Top…
Who Defines You?
Being Utterly Single to Being Engaged. How I Met John.
Big T-Shirts + Nordstrom Anniversary Sale
80s Retro Dress + Ralph Lauren Blazer
Anastasia Chatzka, A Chicago Boutique
A Shoe Company Helping the Homeless
Go Do-Nuts! Best Places To Get Donuts In Chicago
Thrifting An Oversized Blazer and Summer Blazers from Mango
How to Fight Human Trafficking this Wedding Season
Joseph Chopin, A Chicago Film Producer: What We Can Learn From Harold Washington
Crushing it in Crushed Velvet
A Chicago Pattern Maker Shares About Her Part in the Fashion Industry
Twenty-Five Lessons I’ve Learned
PrAna Gear for Every Adventure You May Explore
Puppy Love, Feedback and Fall Fair Trade Fashion
Dear Reader, Confessions of a Blogger
15 Ways to Clean Out Your Closet
Too Far and Too Close
The Kaylyn Pryor Project
Lessons from Paris
Life in London
Lessons from Paris
The Road Trip Up and Down the West Coast