ROCKWALL, TX (May 22, 2026) There’s nothing like a royal wedding to boost the fashion industry. Women might suddenly desire a new dress in a certain style, length, or color, and maybe a hat and gloves for their next big event. Their men may follow suit—literally—perhaps in a jewel-toned tuxedo.
Most of us enjoy dressing up on occasion. Usually, however, we drift along in the current of an overly casual culture, where almost any clothing is acceptable wherever we go. It’s not uncommon to see a shopper wearing plaid flannels and slippers in the check-out line, or an airline passenger in sweatpants or gym shorts. Such apparel is part of the slow but sure downward trend that began as blue jeans gradually replaced traditional work and travel wear. (I have a 1960s photo of my grandmother standing with her sisters before they boarded a Greyhound bus for a day trip—all wearing dresses and hats, with purses that matched their chunky-heeled shoes.)
Even some churches now schedule pajama events for children. Participants will enjoy this casual option, though some adults in the building may do a double take at the sight of these kids.
I recall one apparel surprise in the late 1990s while moving my daughter into her college dormitory. We passed several other freshman girls in the stairwells wearing loungewear or something less—underwear maybe? We had just arrived in Southern California from Nebraska, where we dressed in several layers of clothing for six months of the year. We never walked around in skimpy clothing—even indoors.
Around the turn of the century, rap-artists and skateboarders popularized sagging pants that exposed half of their boxers. And grunge wear, also known as I-don’t-care-what-you-think clothing, became acceptable. Underwear ceased to be undercover and gained a new identity as outerwear.
So, here we are at casual—not just the way we dress, but in the I-don’t-care attitude we might wear as a matching accessory.
The way we dress is linked to self-respect, professionalism, productivity, and success. This is why dress codes are still enforced in many business and government offices, healthcare facilities, and some schools. Status-conscious restaurants and clubs will also expect apparel that fits their image.
Besides those requirements, we could receive a wedding invitation that requests certain attire. We may place the thick envelope in our desk organizer for consideration. Hmmm. Is it worth the time and expense for everything we might need?
However, there’s one invitation addressed to each of us that includes a specific clothing requirement. In Matthew 22:1 – 14, Jesus used a parable to teach about the kingdom of God. In the story, a king gave a wedding feast for his son and invited many people who proved unworthy of the honor—they were no-shows and gave no response. One man, however, came ready to celebrate until (to his eternal regret) he tried to enter wearing his own outfit instead of putting on the garment the king had provided.
To enter God’s eternal feast, we should consider the cost of his requirements: repenting of our sins and acknowledging the Savior he provided. Then we’ll realize that God himself bore the greater cost by sacrificing his only Son to be punished in our place.
We’re overdressing if we think our personal goodness qualifies us for heaven. But we’re underdressing unless we put on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9).
In God’s great mercy, we come to him just as we are, even in our plaid flannels. Through Christ, we enter his kingdom washed clean and covered—good-to-go.
*Quoted scripture are English Standard Version; **“O Holy Night.”
Faith Columnist Patti Richter writes and edits Christian faith articles and has co-authored Signs of His Presence: Experiencing God’s Comfort in Times of Suffering.
Read more of her essays at BlueRibbonNews.com.
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