On the Decency of Dress.
Saint Paul would have Christian women (and the same must be said of men) be clothed in becoming attire, adorning themselves with modesty and restraint. Now, the decency of dress and of other ornaments depends upon the material, the form, and cleanliness.
As for cleanliness, it ought to be nearly always the same in our clothing, upon which, as far as possible, no kind of dirt or stain should be allowed to remain. Outward cleanliness represents in some measure inward purity; therefore God requires great bodily purity in those who approach His altars, and in those who are more particularly consecrated to His service.
Saint Paul would have Christian women (and the same must be said of men) be clothed in becoming attire, adorning themselves with modesty and restraint. Now, the decency of dress and of other ornaments depends upon the material, the form, and cleanliness.
As for cleanliness, it ought to be nearly always the same in our clothing, upon which, as far as possible, no kind of dirt or stain should be allowed to remain. Outward cleanliness represents in some measure inward purity; therefore God requires great bodily purity in those who approach His altars, and in those who are more particularly consecrated to His service.
As for the material and fashion of garments, propriety depends on several circumstances: the season, age, station, company, and occasion. We ordinarily dress more finely on feast days, according to the solemnity of the day we celebrate; during times set aside for penance, such as Lent, we are much less particular; at weddings we wear wedding garments; at funerals, mourning garments; in the presence of princes we enhance our station; within the family we should forget it. A married woman may and ought to adorn herself when she is with her husband and knows that he desires it; but if she does the same in his absence, she will be asked what all this care and finery are for. Young women are allowed more adornment, because they are permitted to wish to please many, though only so as to win one of them through holy marriage. Nor is it thought amiss for widows who may marry to adorn themselves somewhat, provided they do not give themselves the airs of those in the first flush of youth: for, having already passed through the state of marriage and the sorrows of widowhood, they are expected to be of mature and settled mind. But as for true widows, that is, those who are widows in heart indeed, no adornment becomes them save humility, modesty, and devotion. For if they wish to be courted, they are not true widows; and if they do not wish it, why make so many pretensions? Whoever does not wish to receive guests need only take down the sign from the door of their house. We always mock old people who try to look pretty; it is a folly that is scarcely tolerable except in youth.
Be neat, Philothea, and let there be nothing about you slovenly or untidy. It is to despise those with whom one is to go and see them in unbecoming attire; but beware above all of affectation, vanity, curious fashions, and foolish refinements; keep always, so far as may be, to the side of simplicity and modesty: this is the greatest ornament of beauty, and the best excuse for ugliness. Saint Peter chiefly warns young women not to wear their hair so crimped, curled, waved, and dressed. Men who are so mean-spirited as to amuse themselves with such follies are everywhere decried as being less men than women; and women themselves, whom vanity has infatuated, are held to be weak in virtue; at least, if they have any, it is scarcely seen amid so much trumpery and frivolity. It is said that no ill thought is intended; but I reply, as I have done elsewhere, that the devil is always thinking ill of it. For my part, I would have a devout man and a devout woman always the best dressed in the company, but the least pompous and affected; and that they be, as it is said in Proverbs, adorned with grace, propriety, and dignity. Saint Louis says in a single word that one ought to dress according to one’s station, so that the wise and prudent may not say, “You do too much,” nor the young, “You do too little.” But if the young will not be content with propriety, then one must abide by the counsel of the wise.