“Eden helps us understand that when clothes feel like a burden, we are perhaps longing for our first home, a place where zippers didn’t malfunction, where insecurities didn’t hiss–and a place where Eve didn’t need to contort herself into any image except God’s in order to belong.” – Caroline Saunders, But What Do I Wear?

I don’t remember how I first came across Caroline Saunders’ work. I might have seen her work referenced by another author I follow. I began following her work in earnest after reading The Story of Water and The Story of Home with my children. I found myself immediately impressed with her clear, punchy writing and how she traced theological concepts through the Bible from beginning to end in approachable ways. She’s also funny! Her writing definitely proves that one can tackle deep theological subjects with wisdom and grace–and sprinkle in appropriate elements of humor as well.

I’ve even followed her lead in my Bible reading plan and I’m tracing a Biblical theme as I read through the Bible in a year. So when Saunders announced she had written her first trade book on the theology of clothing and covering I was immediately intrigued. When I saw the title I knew it would have to go in my TBR stack. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to receive an advance reader copy through NetGalley and read it eagerly.

But What Do I Wear? did not disappoint. I LOVED it. Can a book be thought-provoking, theologically rich — and hilarious? Yes. Saunders covers the biblical theology of clothing/covering from Genesis to Revelation offering deep truth and practical application — with sprinkles of humor throughout. The personal stories and anecdotes she shares will have you laughing out loud. While the title may be a little tongue-in-cheek, the book also deals thoughtfully with the questions of modesty, caring about clothing and appearance, and what our thoughts about these topics can reveal about what is in our hearts — and how well we understand and embrace our true covering. My Kindle highlighter stayed busy saving nuggets of truth like this:

“If we are clothed ‘in Christ,’ it lifts our gaze, putting our other clothing issues into stark perspective, and requires we place our pride into the donate pile.” – Caroline Saunders, But What Do I Wear?

The book includes 13 chapters divided into four sections: The Beginning, The Spiritually Naked and Ashamed and the God Who Covers, The Ultimate Covering, and The Unveiling. Each chapter ends with a blessing poem and questions to consider individually and/or discuss with a group.

Here is part of the blurb from B&H Publishing about the book:

Clothes occupy more than closet space—they take up mental space too. We regularly face uncomfortable waistbands, dressing for big moments, and managing kids’ outgrown clothes. And as Christians, we have deeper questions: How much time and money should we spend? For parents and ministry leaders, how much “clothes-policing” is appropriate? Modesty matters, but are clothes only about covering up? Does God really care about what we wear—and should we? Is the whole idea superficial? What is happening under the surface when we cry in a fitting room, panic over wearing the wrong thing, or feel like we have nothing to wear while staring at a packed closet? Ultimately, how do we honor God, ourselves, and others with our clothing? Does the Bible only offer rigid rules around clothes, or does it have something broader to say—something that might shape how we think about getting dressed?

Saunders brought the same crisp, fresh writing I appreciated in her picture books to But What Do I Wear? It’s well written, well explained, and well worth the read. Hopefully you’ll walk away from this book with a fresh perspective on your closet and this truth: “Jesus wore our lowliness and ugliness so that we might be forever clothed in His glory and beauty.”

I highly recommend this book! I think it would be great for both women and teen girls!

You can pre-order it from B&H Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Lifeway, and other retailers. It releases on Sept. 15.