article from MARCH-APRIL 2008
Appearance Matters
Teenage fashion can reveal much about the wearer: his interests, attitude and what clique he is a part of. What does your appearance say about you?
BY SAMUEL C. BAXTER
In a typical American public high school, students are milling around the halls and chatting near their lockers. Imagine this is the school you attend and you are heading to your next class.
You pass an unshaven boy exuding a nonchalant “I don’t care” attitude. He is wearing a worn t-shirt, faded jeans with “perfectly” placed rips and tears, and every strand of his hair is “perfectly” out of place.
Next, you pass a fashion-obsessed young girl, adorned with the latest trend. She has spent way too much time and money on her outfit: layers of clothes with matching shoes, belt, purse and cellphone face-plate. These are painstakingly situated to make the perfect “statement.”
Down the hall there is a gang of “punk rock kids”—a dingy collage of ratty, hooded sweatshirts littered with canvas patches that have anti-establishment slogans printed on them. They are wearing safety pins, black nail polish, spiked bracelets, have spiked hair and are drawing “tattoos” on their arms with permanent markers.
It’s easy to notice the boys who play sports, the girl who writes poetry, and the group that listens to rap music.
Then there are the skateboarders, the slackers, the artists and the computer geeks.
High school fashion trends tend to be one-dimensional, with each set of clothes type-casting the wearer into a certain clique. The clothing says, “This is who I am,” while also revealing their main interests.
As you continue down the hall, do you realize that not only do you see the other students’ appearances, but they also see yours? How do these “peers” see you?
Like it or not, your clothes make a statement. Is there a group you fit into? What should your appearance say?
Pushing the Limits
It is easy to look at the extreme examples above and conclude that your appearance is fine or “isn’t that bad.” However, you are constantly exposed to wrong examples, which can easily creep into your own life.
Popular trends for men are slowly drifting away from classic conservative styles toward effeminate colors, cuts and clothing. At the other extreme, there is a move toward a “thuggish” look, with baggy clothing and “sagged” pants. Generally, men are taught not to care about their appearance, with unkempt equating to stylish and attractive.
Clothing for ladies continues to quickly push to extremes as well: too short, too revealing, ultra low cut, tight-fitting—without even a hint of modesty.
Many teens use these trends as a way to identify themselves with like-minded individuals, using their clique’s style as a safety net. If they were to change schools, they could fit in with a similar crowd.
Appearance becomes a way to belong, seeming to fill the desperate need to “fit in.”
Sticking Out
But young people in the Church do not fit in with the world. People notice when you are gone for the Feast; they notice that you do not eat pork or wear makeup, or when you leave the classroom before a Halloween or Christmas party. Others notice you are different from them.
Most likely you are the only one in your town who does any of these things. You may be the only one in your state, province or even country!
There is no reason to try to fit in with the world. The name of this magazine subtly reveals this, calling you an ambassador: “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ” (II Cor. 5:20).
In the article Why Ambassador Youth!, which appeared in the inaugural issue of this magazine, Mr. Pack explained this role in detail: “However, while being an ambassador is a high calling and privilege, it comes with a price. Ambassadors are usually sent to faraway countries, away from family and friends, and often feel that they ‘don’t fit’ in their environment. In effect, they often live lonely lives, cut off from sharing many common experiences with others around them.
“This causes them to stand out—as representing another country, culture, government and generally different way of life. These differences are much truer of Christians—and of God’s young people!”
When following God’s Law, you will not fit in with the world! “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid” (Matt. 5:14).
You have been given knowledge that the majority of the world has not. With this knowledge comes a lofty responsibility—one that should not be taken lightly!
But how should being an ambassador, exhibiting a different way of life, affect your appearance?
What Your Appearance Represents
Ambassadors for the governments of men rely heavily upon their appearance. They know they represent an entire nation, and strive to reflect well upon it. Likewise, your clothing should reflect well upon the way of life you represent.
Philippians 4:5 is a guiding principle that should be applied to all areas of life, including your appearance: “Let your moderation be known unto all men.”
What you wear should follow this principle. Be moderate, modest and reserved—never flashy, racy or confrontational—not given to extremes or leading onlookers to jump to wrong conclusions about you. If they do say anything, it should be good things: “He is well-organized” or “She is quite a lady.”
While moderation and balance is a broad principle, there is a more specific list of “dos and don’ts” for clothing and appearance that flow from it.
Avoid styles that “push the limits,” as mentioned earlier.
Gentlemen, keep shirts tucked in, except when exercising or performing work around the home. And you should almost always wear a belt. Earrings and necklaces are feminine and should be worn by girls only.
Ladies, skin should never show on the front or back of your midriff—even when bending or involved in an activity. You should wear modest but elegant clothing, especially in regard to swimwear, only wearing modest one-piece suits.
Also, good hygiene is a must—teeth brushed, use of deodorant and hair brushed or combed at all times.
Shorts should be no longer than the top of the shin for boys and should be worn at the waist, not below; for girls, the hem should be long enough to at least touch the tip of the middle finger with arms at the sides. (You may wish to revisit other archived articles online covering the subject of appearance.)
By applying balance and moderation, your appearance will both reflect well upon you and your character.
Remember that even if you are the only “ambassador youth” in your area, you do have a place where you “fit in.” There are others who are young representatives of God’s way of life who are experiencing many of the things you are. Stay in contact and support one another!
As the world’s acceptable styles and trends move farther from what is moderate, your appearance and actions will shine as a brighter example.
Each time you walk out your front door, remember that, even if you are not saying anything, your appearance is still speaking loud and clear! Work to make certain that the message you are sending is one becoming of an ambassador youth!