I recently went shopping with my younger daughter. This is the daughter that has three children under the age of six. The purpose of this exciting shopping trip was to find Easter dresses for the two little girls. What fun we had exploring the racks of pretty dresses, deciding which dress and what color looked the best on each girl, and attempting to keep the girls calm and quiet in the process. The trip was a success! We found a cute outfit for the baby as well. As I enjoyed this chance to go shopping with my grandchildren, I wondered about this tradition of buying new clothes for Easter. When my children were little we bought the girls new dresses, sometimes complete with Easter bonnets. And even after they were grown and out of the house, my husband liked to make sure that I had a new dress for Easter Sunday. (I didn’t complain!) But when did this tradition start? Is it just an American custom? What is the story behind buying Easter dresses?

The American tradition of buying Easter dresses was actually more popular years ago and especially in the South. They were primarily pastel colors or with floral designs and came complete with bonnets and white accessories. It was a picture of the arrival of spring. In 19th century America it was part of social status as well as religious propriety. But the actual source of this tradition goes way beyond this American custom.

In earlier times some saw it as a promise of good luck. A 15th century proverb declared that if you didn’t wear new clothes at Easter you would certainly regret it: “At Easter let your clothes be new; or else for sure you will it rue.” But the concept of getting new clothes has its origins in Christianity. It is said that early Christians wore new white linen after their baptism to represent their new life. It also became symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. Later the Roman Emperor Constantinople made a decree that the members of his court should all wear new clothes on Easter. “Eventually, the tradition came to mark the end of Lent, when after wearing weeks of the same clothes, worshipers discarded the old frocks for new ones.” (Quote from article Why We Wear New Clothes on Easter by Lily McCAllister)

And that reminds me of a little chorus my father-in-law used to sing:

I’ll tell you the best thing I ever did do, I’ll tell you the best thing I ever did do, I’ll tell you the best thing I ever did do, I took off the old coat and put on the new! The old coat was dirty, all tattered and torn. The new coat was spotless, had never been worn. I’ll tell you the best thing I ever did do, I took off the old coat and put on the new!

My father-in-law was a happy man. We remember him as always smiling and always singing! The chorus above was a peppy little tune that made you want to sing along. And we often did! Obviously this song is not about a literal old coat, but what does it mean and why did Dad sing it so often? Alfred grew up in a poor section of the city in a rough neighborhood. His father was an alcoholic and drunkenness was common in the home even among his siblings. But Alfred did not succumb to that kind of life. How did he do it? He developed a relationship with his Heavenly Father that enabled him to be a different person. He put off the old life and put on the new!! And it was the best thing he ever did do!!

The Bible itself encourages us to put on new clothes. If you need something new for Easter, check out this Scripture shopping list:

—Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ -Romans 12:13

—Clothe yourself… with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God -1 Peter 3:4

–Clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience -Colossians 3:12

–Above all, clothe yourself with love -Colossians 3:14

Back to the story of my father-in-law, I need to add and conclude with the fact that Alfred’s father also came to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. He was 75 years old when he gave up his old life and clothed himself with something new! You’re never too old for new clothes!

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. –Galatians 3:26,27

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