Selected Messages, Volume 3 - Ellen G. White

Taste and Fitness and Durability.—We do
not discourage taste and neatness in dress. Correct
taste in dress is not to be despised or condemned.
While needless ruffles, trimmings, and ornaments
should be left off, we encourage our sisters to
obtain good, durable material. Nothing is gained in
trying to save means by purchasing cheap fabrics.
Let the clothing be plain and neat, without
extravagance of display.
Young ladies who break away from slavery to
fashion will be ornaments in society. The one who
is simple and unpretending in her dress and in her
manners shows that she understands that a true
lady is characterized by moral worth.—Manuscript
106, 1901. (Republished in The Review and
Herald, March 20, 1958.)
Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian
duty. To dress plainly, abstaining from display of
jewelry and ornaments of every kind, is in keeping
with our faith. Are we of the number who see the
folly of worldlings in indulging in extravagance of
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