What Does Human Dignity Look Like in Dress?

Hello! I last wrote about the value of our relationship to that of God. What does it mean for us to be made in His image and likeness? How ought we treat our bodies if this is true? I deeply appreciate the attention that JPII put into his reflection of human dignity in his Compendium of Social Doctrine.

As a reflection in reality, I want to ask what human dignity looks like in our dress. If all of this is true, and we are in fact made in His image and likeness, how ought we portray our Creator? It doesn't seem like anything would be good enough. In addition, I don't think this is something we can do objectively. If it's my gift back to my Lord, it ought to be authentic. Therefore, I'm happy to portray my dignity as His daughter dressed like this:

In this outfit, I feel beautiful, and that I am reflecting something beautiful about the God that I know and love so well. However, there is something about the feminine heart, and how glorious it is when we are able to celebrate our sisters. I feel compelled to say that these outfits, retreat shirts, sweatpants, and happy faces, portray a very different aspect of the image of God:

We feel very comfortable being our authentic selves together. That's so beautiful. In Him, we are made one by the nature of His Body. And so, in a different sense, this is liberating.

There is no one way to portray his image in our dress. Perhaps, more important, is the way in which we challenge ourselves to be greater, and to continually remind ourselves that the soul inside of the seams or jeans is the most important part behind all of this.

Perhaps being surrounded by people who reinforce our understanding of dignity is one of the most valuable ways to know who we are. I have been blessed with two incredible communities of women, the one above and the one below. These women continue to remind me to Whom I belong, and to see my worth when I am surrounded by their beautiful hearts is not difficult.

But what happens when nasty things like comparison and selfishness wiggle their way into such communities? What impact do they have on our thoughts about ourselves and our sisters? More to come on that soon.

For now, thank your mom and your sisters (biological and soul), and praise the Creator for making us creatures that need each other. You are dignified and irreplaceable. I'll see you soon.