As a Christian woman who loves Jesus and likes fashion, I want how I dress to honor God and my faith. Since you’re reading this, I’m sure it’s your hope, too. So, being stylish while honoring your beliefs is possible. And in many cultures around the world, it’s practiced. 

Faith and fashion are not used simultaneously, and certainly not in the West. But many cultures are known by tribe, clan, or village just by how they dress. 

Honestly, there is something so beautiful about seeing a woman dress in their country’s traditional clothing. I’ve had the privilege of seeing styles from all over the world. 

I remember seeing this beautiful older woman from Thailand, she was from a Tribe in the hills. Her dark black hair slicked back, with a beautiful woven colored shirt. She weived herself. She was stunning. 

So, how to be stylish while honoring your beliefs is something close to my heart; if you are reading this, it’s probably close to yours.

My first tip for being stylish while honoring your beliefs is,

Be comfortable with yourself.

This is where being stylish while honoring your beliefs starts. You have to know who you are and what you believe. It’s the start of faith-based fashion. 

I love this verse even though it took me so long to understand. 

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10
New International Version

The fashion industry is known for saying, “Wear the clothes, don’t let the clothes wear you.” To change it a little, “Wear the clothes and know who you are.” 

Your a child of God, loved and worthy and a masterpiece. 

So whatever you wear, know that first and foremost. Don’t waste time on being insecure. When I see pictures of myself from years past, I think how beautiful I am, but then all I saw was what or how I needed to look different, lose 5 pounds, change my hair.

Except for the time when I was 12 and my mom made me get a shorter haircut and a perm. I had a mullet, and it was not a good look for me. But it is funny now. 

Now, if you are wearing tight, high-waisted jeans on Thanksgiving, you might want to rethink the outfit for the occasion.But you will still be a masterpiece, an uncomfortable masterpiece, but still one. 

So start with believing your a masterpiece. 

The next way to be stylish while honoring your beliefs is to 

Dress for the occasion.

One way for a Christian woman to honor God is by dressing for the occasion. 

When I first started an internship at a school in North Texas, I always dressed nicely for the afterschool program I taught. Another intern who worked at the same school would wear her pajamas to teach the afterschool program. The staff would send her home, and eventually, they told her not to come back.

This woman was nice and good at what she taught. She had a better education than me and better credentials for the internship. But she didn’t think her appearance and clothes should matter. Unfortunately, she lost her paid internship mostly because of this. 

But how to dress for the occasion.

I think that, as a Christian woman who loves missions, one of the first ways we can help share and spread the gospel is by knowing where and who we will reach. Dressing for the occasion can honor our faith and beliefs. 

Ways to dress for the occasion

1. Know where you are going (business, beach party, sports event)
2. Dress according to the culture you are going to.

For years I worked on the Navajo reservation and the women are the most strong and resilient women God has created. They have endured many hardships in life and yet they shine. And I know when I go that it is important to respect the customs and culture. They dress humbly and modestly, and wear the most beautiful jewerly I’ve ever seen.

When I teach at conferences there, I wear a simple T-shirt, nice dark jeans, boots, and beautiful Navajo jewelry. It’s one example of how to dress for the occasion. 

Yet when I go to a business meeting in Dallas, I know I need to wear a business outfit with heels and the nicest purse I own. My car needs to be washed and cleaned. 

The next way, as a Christian woman, you can be stylish while honoring your beliefs is to 

Look put together

Finding your own style can change with time and sometimes come back again depending on the era. For example, styles from the 90s are back on trend. 

My personal style has changed with trends, places, and age, but one basic thing I know that works no matter what you wear is to look put together. 

Ways you can look put together:

• Clean clothes (I know some trends are dirty looking clothes-this trend probably only works with the Ulta rich. If I did that, I would look like my washing machine broke)
• Clean shoes
• No wrinkles in clothes
• Suitable size for your size

To really kick your style up and be stylish while honoring your beliefs is to,

Think about your accessories.

Thoughtful accessories can be one way of honoring your beliefs as a Christian woman. 

For me I always wear a small cross ring or a tiny boxing ring on my finger. The cross ring is to remember every moment what Jesus did for me and I look at it ever time I wash my hands. 

My best friend gave me the boxing ring. Shout out to Sarah! 

Here is why. I was teaching at a Kids Freedom camp and taught a lesson while wearing pink boxing gloves. The lesson was about punching lies from the enemy out of your mind. I wear that ring to remind me not to believe any lies that might pop into my head. Lies, like “you’re not good enough,” “you can’t do this,” or “it will never get easier.” It was also a great conversation that started with people I met, sharing the truth about Jesus and the lies that can keep us down. 

The next for me on how to be stylish while honoring your beliefs as a Christian woman is too

Dress modest, not frumpy.

Modest dressing varies from place to place, but I think the basics are always the same: covering the bust, knee length in most cases, and shoulders. 

This is probably the most modest for westerners. Now I live in Texas, and it gets hot so our modest standard usually pushes a little more. But knowing the occasion and culture when you are going places helps to dress modestly. 

Modest to frumpy has much to do with wearing the right size and utilizing accessories. If you can figure out these little details, it can take your outfits from frumpy and dumpy to stylish yet modest.

The last is how to be stylish while honoring your beliefs, which is one of the most important things you can do as a Christian woman living out your faith.

Buy Ethically

In a 2024 a research paper from the McKinsey report said more people want to buy ethically and fashion brands will need to prove it. People want sustainable and ethical fashion options and transparent supply chains.

As a Christian woman, I want to buy ethically and sustainably. I have met and helped women who were trafficked and used to make fast fashion. 

Some positive news is that more and more large retailers are realizing the need for change. So, as Christian women who want to look stylish, we need to continue to be the leaders through what we buy. 

Good news for ethical fashion.

Target has made strides to end slavery within its supply chain by working with an anti-slavery organization, International Justice Mission.

Walmart’s brand, Free Assembly, is focused on being fashion-forward with sustainable and ethical guidelines. The Fashionista wrote about this in 2020 when the brand was launched.

Recap of how to be stylish while honoring your beliefs:

• Be comfortable with yourself
• Dress for the occasion
• Look put together
• Think about your accessories.
• Dress modest but not frumpy.
• Buy ethically

Out of all the points in this post the most important is to be comfortable in who God created you to be. And embrace your own personal style.

I would love to hear from you, so please leave a commit below. 

You can also check out these post for more about style, travel and missions.

Pack light, serve big: Your essential guide to mission trip packing

10 Benefits of mission trips for personal growth

Am I called to mission: How to know Guide