Praise the Lord when a woman comes out from the world and serves the King of Kings. Sadly though there are not many biblical teachers out there that a woman can rely on to give her the Word of God in truth and help direct her in the area of dress after her insides have been renewed in Christ and she now sees the sinfulness of her outsides that needs to be dealt with.
God's Word instructs women what to wear, click HERE to read that article, then come back and finish reading here. God's Word also teaches women NOT to adorn themselves in the flesh or the clothing, click HERE to read that as well. Those two articles will give you a foundation of clothing for Christian women. And, if you don't understand why this is such an important issue, read this article, click HERE to see why we even wear clothing (sin coverings) in the first place.
This article is to address the subject of cape dresses. The reason for this article is that there are many women who are redeemed and from the world, then once they learn that women are to wear long robes/dresses, they wonder what kind and how to go about that transformation. Cape dresses seem to come up toward the top of the list because many believe that the Mennonites, Amish, German Baptists etc are biblically correct in their dress. We are here to expose potential immodesty in such clothing of such groups.
Although comparing an Amish/Mennonite/German Baptist woman with the world you will see that she looks much more biblical than the worldly woman but is that what God's Word says? We will show you how to go further, past man made traditions that Jesus warned us about in Colossians 2:8 and into the fullness of God's Word.
If you have never seen a cape dress, it is a one piece dress from shoulders to feet. (The Amish sometimes use individual pieces that when pinned, look like one piece.) Cape dresses also have an extra layer of fabric laying over the chest and back area so as to provide more coverage on that area. In essence, if a cape dress were made properly, it would be a wonderful piece of clothing but sadly, immodesty has crept into those sects and many of their dresses leave little hidden.
One problem with the modern cape dress is that the cape is attached to the waist and is normally form fit around the waist area, therefore giving the eye a silhouette of the lady's form; thus negating the purpose of covering the body. If the dress is not sewn to form fit, many have ties so they can be pulled in at the waist thereby showing off the form. The idea of wearing a form fit dress goes totally against God's Word.
A second issue with the modern cape dress is that most of them are made from such thin fabrics that with even the slightest movement the dresses cling to the form of the woman.
And the final issue with the modern cape dress is that most of them are adorned with flowers and patterns and then topped off with modern day designer jackets, bags and heeled shoes.
We are not to be conformed to this world:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
If you read the 3 articles mentioned above you should plainly see by God's Word what His standards are for His daughters in the matters of dress. A godly woman will dress in a shamefaced manner (1 Timothy 2) in long dresses/skirts that are loose so as to cover the form and are plain in appearance.
A woman who used to dress like like the world (the bible calls that dressed like a harlot) who is made a new creation in Christ, will see after she dresses biblically that the majority of men will offer her respect as opposed to ogling her like an object. A woman who is biblically dressed and covering her head (click HERE for that article) is also protected from herself in vanity, pride and adulterous display to men.
Yes, men are to dress their bodies in a fully covered way as well, see that article click HERE. A godly man who has a godly woman biblically dressed and headcovered should see the vast sinful difference between the world and his wife and should then see the immodest worldly dressed women as naked and shameful to to look away from, as opposed to something desirous to look at.
Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. (1 Peter 3:1-4)
We've had personal experience with many of the Mennonites, Amish, German Baptist etc and see their groups allowing their women to dress unbiblically as stated above and some are going as far as to allow pants, uncovered heads, makeup, jewelry for women. They are becoming more and more like the world in those aspects. (Be warned the Amish, Mennonites, German Baptists and other groups like them have various other unbiblical ways about them, we use them as an example because there are many new babes in Christ being deceived by not only their doctrine of works but their dress and behavior as well.)
The subject of a godly woman's clothing should not be complicated and if a woman truly wanted to wear a cape dress, she is fully capable of sewing a plain dress that is unadorned/plain, loose and flowing that does not show the form and has a material that does not form and cling. But, a woman can certainly find clothing at thrift stores if she searches, simply buy them a couple sizes larger. Yes, it can be difficult to find plain skirts (there are more plain shirts than skirts) but how many outfits does a godly woman need? Women have a problem with too many clothes and godly women need to be aware that too many choices and too many varieties are appealing to the flesh and will snare her into the clothing trap again. Remember, these are sin coverings, not adornments, not a way to show how fit we are, not a way to draw attention...clothing should be looked at as nothing more than cloth draped on the body to cover it.
So ladies, beware of the cape dress trap and if you choose to go that route, be sure it does not resemble the typical dresses you see but instead make it one worthy of standing before the Lord of Lords.
Let us know if we can help you.