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But What Do I Wear?: The Biblical Story of Clothing, How It Helps Us Think About Getting Dressed, and Approximately Seventeen Stories I May Regret Telling
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 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?
Fortunately, yes, the Bible’s narrative offers powerful hope and meaningful help. When we root ourselves in Scripture’s big story regarding clothing, getting dressed becomes more than a daily task—it can be a place of truth, joy, and worship of the God who lovingly covers us.
In But What Do I Wear?, beloved (and hilarious!) Bible teacher Caroline Saunders zooms out from the rigid rules and common tropes around clothing and instead traces the larger themes of clothing and covering throughout Scripture, mixing in some humorous and heartfelt stories along the way. As she walks from Genesis to Revelation—from fig leaves to righteous robes—she helps women discover this bigger story and approach clothing with biblical clarity, practical confidence, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be “clothed in Christ.”
Fortunately, yes, the Bible’s narrative offers powerful hope and meaningful help. When we root ourselves in Scripture’s big story regarding clothing, getting dressed becomes more than a daily task—it can be a place of truth, joy, and worship of the God who lovingly covers us.
In But What Do I Wear?, beloved (and hilarious!) Bible teacher Caroline Saunders zooms out from the rigid rules and common tropes around clothing and instead traces the larger themes of clothing and covering throughout Scripture, mixing in some humorous and heartfelt stories along the way. As she walks from Genesis to Revelation—from fig leaves to righteous robes—she helps women discover this bigger story and approach clothing with biblical clarity, practical confidence, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be “clothed in Christ.”
224 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 29, 2026
This unique book does an exceptional job tracing the theme of the God who covers us throughout Scripture. Get ready for a new way to view clothing through the lens of biblical theology. You'll soon be thinking deeper than your closet and more deeply about the God who saw our need and chose to step into our shame and cover us with His lavish love.
I recommend this book to all ladies who sometimes feel the tug of retail therapy, the teen struggling to fit in, the college student reinventing her identity through her wardrobe, the postpartum woman wondering what to do from here, and every woman who has ever struggled with whether her clothing is "appropriate."
Caroline has such a humorous, relatable way of writing and weaving in anecdotes that will make you laugh!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own!
I recommend this book to all ladies who sometimes feel the tug of retail therapy, the teen struggling to fit in, the college student reinventing her identity through her wardrobe, the postpartum woman wondering what to do from here, and every woman who has ever struggled with whether her clothing is "appropriate."
Caroline has such a humorous, relatable way of writing and weaving in anecdotes that will make you laugh!
Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts are my own!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Caroline has such a gift for tracing a theme throughout scripture and relating it to the Big Story of the Bible and this book is no different. And if you are wondering why a Christian should even care about clothes or what to wear or being covered, then this book is for you. But this isn't about clothes, instead it's about the God who covers, who saw our need and chose to cover us when we couldn't cover ourselves. Caroline traces the theme of covering from the Garden, to the the cross, to our lives now and ultimately to the coverings we see in Revelation and the end of times. It's a truly beautiful book. Even this morning while I got dressed for church I was saying to myself, I am clothed in Christ, I am covered by the Holy Spirit and the only thing I need to worry about putting on is the new self and taking off the old. I think this book will appeal to all women, the teen dressing to fit in, the college student dressing to make a statement, the post partum woman struggling with her new body and every woman in between who struggled with clothes and body image and wondered if her clothing was "appropriate" because in this book she will find hope in the God who Covers her.
July 18, 2026
Review of a complementary advanced copy received from B&H Publishing through NetGalley
I LOVED this book. Can a book be thought-provoking, theologically rich — and hilarious? Yes. In Caroline Saunders’ first trade book, she covers the biblical theology of clothing/covering from Genesis to Revelation offering deep truth and practical application — with sprinkles of humor throughout. 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.
When I first read Saunders’ picture books, The Story of Water and The Story of Home, with my children, I found myself immediately impressed with her clear, punchy writing. She carries the same talent into But What Do I Wear? It’s well written, well explained, and well worth the read.
I highly recommend this book! I think it would be great for both women and teen girls!
I LOVED this book. Can a book be thought-provoking, theologically rich — and hilarious? Yes. In Caroline Saunders’ first trade book, she covers the biblical theology of clothing/covering from Genesis to Revelation offering deep truth and practical application — with sprinkles of humor throughout. 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.
When I first read Saunders’ picture books, The Story of Water and The Story of Home, with my children, I found myself immediately impressed with her clear, punchy writing. She carries the same talent into But What Do I Wear? It’s well written, well explained, and well worth the read.
I highly recommend this book! I think it would be great for both women and teen girls!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Caroline Saunders is a pastor's wife & has written devotionals & children's books. This is her first "trade book," and her candid writing style brings humor to this weighty topic that all women worry over--clothes. If you also follow this author's social media or subscribe to her newsletter, you know that she has an annual habit of tracing a certain topic through the story of Scripture. This book is the result of her year of study on clothing in the Bible. From the Garden of Eden to the priests serving in the Temple to the Crucifixion to our eternity with Christ, she walks us through what clothing really means. Yes, she even dips into that touchy topic of modesty throughout, but you might be surprised at what God's Word has to say. Mothers of daughters, single women, ladies who are at the age to mentor others--you will enjoy & learn so much from this book. I can see it being a wonderful book to read with a group of friends.
September 21, 2026
Cannot recommend this book highly enough!!
This book is a beautiful roadmap through Gods word, tracing the theme of Clothing/The Covering. Caroline is an exceptional writer who can communicate big ideas in a clear, digestible, and engaging way. Its a perfect balance of serious/weighty and witty/funny. The personal stories she shares help to communicate her points in such a relatable way and its jam packed with tons of scripture.
As someone who has grown up in Church and always felt so confused about clothing, my body, identity and how to dress, this book was exactly what I needed. It has has helped me to let go of unbiblical ideas I had internalized and taught me how to turn the usually stress inducing act of getting dressed into a worshipful one. I wish this book existed when I was younger and I think every woman should read it.
This book is a beautiful roadmap through Gods word, tracing the theme of Clothing/The Covering. Caroline is an exceptional writer who can communicate big ideas in a clear, digestible, and engaging way. Its a perfect balance of serious/weighty and witty/funny. The personal stories she shares help to communicate her points in such a relatable way and its jam packed with tons of scripture.
As someone who has grown up in Church and always felt so confused about clothing, my body, identity and how to dress, this book was exactly what I needed. It has has helped me to let go of unbiblical ideas I had internalized and taught me how to turn the usually stress inducing act of getting dressed into a worshipful one. I wish this book existed when I was younger and I think every woman should read it.
September 6, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
“If you are a Christian, your baseline is “clothed in Christ”—and everything else is merely fabric.”
You’ve probably never heard the gospel through this lens before. Caroline uses clothing (and a great sense of humor) to draw us deeper into Scripture and invite us into closer relationship with the God Who Covers.
“If you are a Christian, your baseline is “clothed in Christ”—and everything else is merely fabric.”
You’ve probably never heard the gospel through this lens before. Caroline uses clothing (and a great sense of humor) to draw us deeper into Scripture and invite us into closer relationship with the God Who Covers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews