How Religion Influences Fashion

The relationship between fashion and religion has spanned centuries and cultures. Religious beliefs have long shaped what people wear, dictating modesty, inspiring grandeur, and sparking controversy. This influence continues today in both subtle and bold ways, from runways to streetwear. 

Sacred roots

Religion dictates acceptable attire in many faiths. Clothing serves as an expression of devotion, humility, and purity. Islamic teachings encourage modesty, leading to the hijab and abaya; Christian clergy wear vestments to symbolise their roles. In Judaism, the tallit (prayer shawl) and kippah (skullcap) are worn during worship, signifying reverence and connection to God. Jewish jewelry such as Star of David and mezuzah pendants serve as expressions of faith and are often worn daily. In Hinduism, the sari is often worn during religious ceremonies, with draping and colours having cultural and spiritual significance – for example, red saris are often associated with marriage. 

Faith-inspired fashion

Designers have often turned to religious iconography for inspiration. The Met’s 2018 high fashion art exhibition “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination” examined “fashion’s ongoing engagement with the devotional practices and traditions of Catholicism.” The exhibition featured papal robes and accessories from the Sistine Chapel, as well as fashion from the early 20th century to the present. It received widespread critical acclaim, with The Cut saying Andrew Bolton’s most ambitious show had confirmed the historical, mystical power of fashion.

Other critics, though, critiqued the exhibition. Refinery29 cited its lack of diversity and narrow focus on Catholicism, but the reviewer said this wasn’t the biggest oversight: “I do not believe the central attraction of Catholicism for fashion designers and artistic dressers is something to run toward, but rather something to run from.”

A natural fit

The Cut’s review noted that fashion and religion were “natural interlocutors”. Both communicate visual ideas and metaphors, which arise from our “desire to transcend the quotidian” and find meaning in a community. Fashion adds structure to our lives, providing “rules”, celebrations, and hierarchies.

Just as religion uses ritual and symbolism to reinforce beliefs, fashion offers its own set of visual codes (uniforms, colours, dress codes) to signal identity and belonging. Even the seasonal rhythms of fashion echo religious calendars. Fashion operates on cyclical schedules, with new collections often tied to seasonal fashion weeks (spring/summer and autumn/winter). 

Several major designers, such as Stella McCartney and Carolina Herrera, have released collections inspired by Ramadan. Luxury brands like Jimmy Choo and Gucci have designed items for Diwali. 

Controversies

The fusion of religion and fashion is sometimes well received, but it carries the risk of misinterpretation and offense. Glamour magazine once asked readers, “What do you think of religion-inspired clothing?” after the launch of former model Kylie Bisutti’s fashion line, God Inspired Fashion. Religious clothes, as well as religious slogans on clothes, worn for fashion purposes are sometimes seen as offensive. Last year, Rihanna posed for Interview Magazine wearing a Catholic nun’s headdress. Strike Magazines reported on thousands of comments online “shaming Rihanna and the magazine”. One read, “I'm tired of Christianity being mocked and belittled”.

Other moments in fashion have been similarly controversial, such as Dolce and Gabbana’s religion-themed show for their FW14 and SS23 collections, which featured pictures of Jesus on sweaters, a cross-shaped shirt, and many other uses of crosses. Public reactions to religious-themed fashion can vary. Some view it as a celebration of culture; others see it as commodification of what’s sacred. 

Items like Star of David necklaces, crucifixes, or hijabs are worn with religious intention, often daily, and carry spiritual weight. They’re typically worn by believers themselves and carry significance beyond aesthetics. The key difference is that context: when religious symbols are worn by believers, they express belief; when used decoratively by brands, they risk being seen as appropriation rather than homage.