Editor's Note: Tanya M. Wilson is an inspirational speaker and author living in Charlotte. Her column is published on this website each Monday. Opinions expressed are solely her own. Friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you@aol.com.

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With the 4th of July upon us, many are in the mood of summer celebration. We think of barbeques, family reunions, beaches, amusements, weddings, falling in love and the list goes on.

Summer also is a time when we can pull out some of our less cumbersome clothing. My favorite summer item is sandals. I love seeking out what I believe to be unusual, statement-making footwear.

We all have our own independent taste around what we feel looks good on us. It really isn’t anyone else’s business when it comes to our clothing or footwear selection.

As I look around, however, I sometimes wonder if we have gone too far. Have some of us lost our sense of what is appropriate?

Starting with the CIAA, I have become concerned about how some of us are showing up to life -- making the decision to go to the store, someone’s home, an event, etc., with no regard for how we are presenting ourselves.

Is it fair to make decisions about someone based solely on what we see? No, not at all? But the fact remains; how we come to the situation and how we are put together make a statement.

At the risk of sounding old-fashion, there is still room for modesty. 1 Timothy 2:9 provides us with a model: “I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.”

Self-expression and independent artistry in our attire is a beautiful thing, but when it borders on a misrepresentation of who we truly are, I think it bears reconsideration.

I have always thought it interesting that employers must have dress code policies. When you think about it, why should anyone have to tell us what is appropriate? Our mirror should give us a heads up.

Perhaps we are attempting to lure someone’s attention with our attire. Is our exposure what we want to be our first sentence, or do we offer much more value that we may not get the chance to share because we showed up in a way that is disconnected from who we really are?

For me, there is nothing more attractive than a man who is well put together. No particular fashion, just thoughtful in his approach. Likewise, a woman who presenting herself in a way that reflects the beauty that lies within her soul makes a statement that is not easily refuted.

Asking ourselves as we prepare to leave our homes, “Is this the message I want to take with me?” could help us either go forward with confidence or encourage us to turn around and go back to the closet.

If we are going to dress like we are in a video or on a stage, should we not be smart enough to seek an agent? Why let all that go to waste? I’m just sayin’!
 

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