Stripes and Plaids

from Elliott
OK I admit I am certainly no fashion plate but I do have a few rules that I follow that minimize significant embarrassment! Like, 'Don't mix stripes, plaids or large patterns' , 'Not much goes with lime green' and 'The less physically fit you are the more loose your clothing should be - the 'Klingons' were not just Star Trek characters!'

As with many things my 'rules' have not necessarily translated well in my new culture. Frequently we see the mixing of stripes and plaids/ patterns and middle aged and older men wearing clothes that might have fit them 20-30 years previous. At first I thought it was limited income that limits clothing choices that individuals have here but I have seen the same fashion infractions across the economic spectrum. Then I thought that perhaps it was maybe the stores have limited merchandise but I have seen similar offerings here in the stores that I am used to elsewhere.

Perhaps it is because, when the culture has so many more pressing issues like hunger, HIV/AIDS, ongoing social strife, poor education, etc. there are simple more important things to concern oneself with than does your top coordinate well with the bottom. I guess the Gospel message would be to concern ourselves with those things that concern God most and with all the brokenness in our world, our fashion sense pales in comparison.

So next time you see me and you are shocked by my appearance, remember that I am simply trying to focus first on Kingdom living!