How to balance faith and fashion while on a mission trip. I have worked in missions for decades. I have been on hundreds of mission trips and spent over 20 years living as a missionary. 

One thing that no one talks about is fashion and faith. 

Yet, it’s such an important part of sharing our faith. 

But can faith and fashion coexist in missions?

Yes, they can and do. 

The fashion you wear in missions can reflect your faith and respect for the culture and the people.

A culture without people doesn’t exist.

Your fashion choices can make a great first impression in a different culture.

In this article, I share my personal experiences in missions and with fashion. 

I’ve always liked fashion. And I try to look my best no matter where I am or how much money I have. 

When I was 14 years old, my Father told me he would buy me school uniforms and nothing else. If you want anything else, you have to get a job. 

So, I did because I wanted to wear the latest and trendiest clothes to school. That is when my love for fashion and style started. 

When I started my life as a missionary, it began in France. I mean, France is the capital of fashion.

So, I got a fast-track course on fashion and missions.

Table of contents:

Debunking the Myth

First impressions start with what you are wearing. 

This is the same on mission trips. Your choices in what you wear matter.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is not realizing what they wear makes an impression on their mission trip.

Inappropriate clothing can and does cause problems on trips. 

Looking good and culturally appropriate will open doors to sharing Christ’s love. 

I’ve had so many doors open to me because first God’s favor, then because I knew I needed to dress appropriately for each occasion. 

Balancing Faith and Fashion in Missions

I’ve always liked fashion. 

In my career as a Missionary, I lived in Romania for over 8 years. A small city in Transylvania, to be exact.

If you are unfamiliar with Eastern European women, let me share a little about them. 

They look incredible. Dress nice, clean, and polished. 

Romanian women look beautiful, and they like to look good. The area and students I worked with always looked amazing. 

So, to effectively reach them, I needed to look the same. 

Fashion reflects your values.

Dress to reach the people you are going to serve. 

In Romania, I knew I needed to dress a certain way to effectively reach the students. 

My choices of dressing like a Romanian opened doors for me in missions. 

I was invited to homes, events, graduations, and weddings because they knew I respected them and their culture.

What I wore in Romania was different from when I was in Africa or Thailand. I changed to honor those I was going to serve. 

Your fashion choices should reflect a love and respect for the culture.

The one common factor in every mission trip I was on was modesty. 

Modesty & Cultural Sensitivity in Mission 

Modesty in America is not modesty in another country. 

Knowing the style in the context of culture is important and can help you change your 

In certain countries, women only wear long skirts. In others, being at the knee or a little above is okay. 

Knowing this can help faith and fashion coexist on your mission trip.

And help you make the greatest impact on where you are going.

Modesty as a general rule.

One rule that has almost worked every time is sided with modesty. 

Here is a tip on modest dressing.

Find out what they wear in the country you are going to.

Then, make sure everything is covered and not too clingy. 

Dress according to the standards of the country you are going to.

One example for me is Turkey. No one in that country would take me for a local. 

I look, walk, and talk like a foreigner. 

When I go, I always make sure I have a scarf to wear on my head. I do this even if it’s just an overnight trip.  

Not because they make me but because I respect them and their culture.

Faith and fashion are not on the opposite side.

If you are a woman who likes fashion, then celebrate it. 

When you go on missions, use that gift to share with those you meet. 

Faith and fashion can coexist to bring glory to God in your life and on your mission trip. 

One of my favorite flowers is “Lily of the Valley.” They are so cute and smell incredible. Yet, it is difficult to grow in many places. But their beauty is so incredible.

Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon, in all his splendor, was dressed like one of these.

Matthew 6:27-29

God cares about every aspect of our lives. And I believe God wants to honor us and what we wear.

We can connect with others when we wear clothes that reflect our love for them and their culture. This will help connect the lines of faith and fashion.

If you are a girlie who loves fashion and Jesus, embrace your love of both and share the love of Christ wherever you go on mission trips and at home.

How do you balance faith and fashion in your daily life? Share your thoughts below!”

Here are some related articles:

Am I called to missions? How to know guide.

Ready to Serve? 5 Steps to a Successful Short-Term Mission Trip

Faith and fashion: Top modest trends for Christian women

Faith and Fashion: How to be Stylish While Honoring Your Beliefs