Modesty in Dress

St. Ambrose (De Offic. i 19) says that the body should be clad and adorned appropriately, unaffectedly,simply; not in an over nice fashion, nor with costly and dazzlingapparel. Modesty has a place in regulating the attire. In dress, asin all outward things, there is a reasonable and decent norm. Dress should not conflict too gaudily with established custom, provided the custom itself is decent. Nor should dress too largely absorb aperson’s interest and attention, for excessive pleasure in dress is vainglory. On the other hand, a person offends modesty byslovenliness in dress, and by negligence, and by want of cleanliness. A person also offends by seeking the reputation of one who is wholly unconcerned with such things as his appearance and attire; thus a man makes his very negligence a matter ofvainglory.

Modesty in dress is particularly important for women. For a woman’s attire may incite a man to lust, whereas it is quite unlikely that a man’s dress should be any incitement to awoman. In point of dress and adornment, a married woman should strive, within the bounds of decency, dignity, and modesty, to please her husband. Unmarried women should avoid all that can be called lewd or extreme. For the rest, neither woman nor man should dress for mere frivolity, vanity, or display.