Traditions of Dress: Generational Apparel

The idea of passing down heirloom objects is not one of novelty; as the writer of the book of Ecclesiastes expresses, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:19). Mothers pass down treasured pieces of jewelry to their even more treasured daughters, sons propose to their lovers with a ring which had belonged to their grandmother, and the torch of heading a family business is transferred from one generation to the next.

The intention behind heirloom dresses, then, is no exception to the aforementioned adage renouncing true newness of idea. The verity of the principle, however, deters not from the authenticity of the heart of this matter. There exists massive opportunity within what we choose to share with the next generation to communicate the wisdom we have been given from our relationship with God; though the earthly treasures we pass down may fade away, the treasures of eternity which accompany the gifts we bestow may well imprint on the hearts of our children.

This is not to diminish the impact of the material on those to whom it is bestowed, especially in the realm of apparel. In the modern age, women and men alike have longed after the adornments of times past. With nostalgic nods to the glamour of decades and even centuries past, a return to older traditions ignites refreshment of inspiration to the eyes and mind of the wearers and the beholders. In this regard, one may well consider the implications that the dress of the present age may have on times to come. It is a temptation to treasure the past and suffice in the present with too little regard and thought directed toward the future, especially in the world of dress, with modern conveniences bidding one’s attention and influencing consumption.

To consider what one may pass down to the next generation, and what may be carried forward to that of the next two, three, four generations thereafter, therefore, should hold in our hearts to be of some value. For with the transference of keepsake objects may inevitably bring one to contemplate the deeper values entrenched in the reason for it being kept.

To draw inspiration from the old, and to cast a vision that will last generations, requires ingenuity that can only be brought forth from a prayerful space with the One who created time. To select a manner of dress and the objects therein which will adorn oneself is then a matter perhaps of more significance than people may often find themselves to attribute to the cause.

Here, then, is an exhortation to choose wisely, and to consider well, the legacy which your choice of dress may build, maintain, or destroy; for our traditions of dress may change and reinspire inevitably, and apparel of generational impact may be a vehicle to empower those following in our footsteps to be rooted in the intangible gems of biblical wisdom.

Fine Purple seeks to continually embody and express the notion of adorning the women of God with apparel which lasts generations, interwoven with impact that leaves an impression on each heart which receives our heirloom dresses. The Kingdom of God is eternal, and if our dresses can but reveal an iota of that which our Lord calls us to treasure so, then we are pleased.

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