As noted in the previous post, I have been reading Walden by Thoreau for our American Literature discussion group. I can’t agree with Mr. Thoreau on some things, and we don’t share the same passions. (I’m not much of a nature lover; I think it’s a character deficiency.) Nevertheless, Henry David Thoreau and I are in nearly complete agreement on the subject of clothing. First Thoreau:

As for Clothing, to come at once to the practical part of the question, perhaps we are led oftener by the love of novelty and a regard for the opinions of men, in procuring it, than by a true utility. Let him who has work to do recollect that the object of clothing is, first, to retain the vital heat, and secondly, in this state of society, to cover nakedness, and he may judge how much of any necessary or important work may be accomplished without adding to his wardrobe.

It is an interesting question how far men would retain their relative rank if they were divested of their clothes.

Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.

I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes. If there is not a new man, how can the new clothes be made to fit? If you have any enterprise before you, try it in your old clothes.

Next, the Bible:

Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?

No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made. No one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.

Last and probably least, Sherry herself waxes philosophic:

Clothing should be modest (free from showiness or ostentation; unpretentious), suited to the purpose or the occasion, and if at all possible, beautiful. There’s nothing wrong with wearing clothes that look pretty or distinguished or handsome; in fact, as Christians we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ himself, and our earthly clothes can be only a pale reflection of His glory. When God sees me, He doesn’t see my plaid dress or my blue jeans; he sees me dressed in the righteousness of Christ. I can choose to dress in rags that barely cover my body, or I can buy the most elegant and expensive outfit that money and good taste can procure. However, I won’t impress God. Just as all my good deeds and “trying hard to be good” are compared to filthy rags in the Scripture, so my actual clothing is ragged and threadbare compared to the riches of heaven. So I should wear clothing that pleases me and pleases other people (without leading anyone into sin). I want my clothing to be comfortable and beautiful, to reflect Christ and to express a little of who I am, the colors I enjoy and the styles I like. Finally, though, who cares about fashion, and why invest too much time or money into something that tomorrow will be thrown into the oven?