Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest minds of all time, tackled profound topics such as the nature of God and arguments for God’s existence. Yet his explorations did not stay within the metaphysical realm. He also applied practical wisdom to various issues of his day, issues that still affect Christians today, including style. Aquinas believed that we could use our reason to figure out the correct way to wear outward apparel. He writes, “it is not in the outward things themselves which man uses, that there is vice, but on the part of man who uses them immoderately.” Outward apparel in of itself is not a bad thing. Like most things, outward apparel is an object, something that in and of itself has no vice or virtue. It is up to the person to decide how she/he wants to wear the item.
Abraham Kuyper, a 19th century theologian, would agree with Aquinas’ approach. Kuyper writes that, “women are warned to seek their adornment not in the braiding of their hair and in golden jewelry…we are told that the world with all its desires is passing away, and conversely, that whoever does the will of God abides forever. This contrast is pressed further by declaring that “all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes…is not from the Father but from the world.” But Kuyper responds that “this does not decide the matter in principle, however. All of this refers to a misuse.” Kuyper’s driving motivation in this case is beauty, and his point is that beauty was conceived by God, and it is a good thing. If women desire to adorn themselves and “put on” beauty, then it can done so, albeit in an appropriate way.
Aquinas notes the importance of moderation, which is akin to Aristotle’s Golden Mean: not too little, not too much. For Aquinas the lack of moderation occurs in two ways: 1) “in comparison with the customs of those among whom one lives” and 2) an “inordinate attachment of the user,” quoting Augustine: “we must avoid excessive pleasure in the use of things.” There are three ways that this attachment occurs: 1) when a man [or woman] seeks glory from excessive attention to dress 2) when a man seeks sensuous pleasure from excessive attention to dress and 3) when a man is too solicitous in his attention to outward apparel. These ways involve excessiveness. Aquinas notes that this occurs “when a man (or woman) seeks glory from excessive attention to dress; in so far as dress and such things are a kind of ornament.” Now, “excessive” goes against moderation. We are to enjoy worthwhile things in moderation.
Using these theologians’ approaches, I would suggest:
- As a Christian, examine your heart. Make sure you have the right posture of humility before God. Ask him to remove any pride and vain tendencies. It is okay to enjoy beauty and look your best, but it must not be the main thing; it is to honor God.
- God created beauty, so it is okay to enjoy it in a way that pleases Him.
- As Christians, we operate differently from the world, so as much as the world seeks self-aggrandizement, we are to reject it.
1. Aquinas quotes are from Summa Theologiae, Q. 169.
2. Kuyper, A. Wisdom & Wonder, 125.