In this article we will take a look at the biblical meaning of clothes in a dream and what they could mean. We will look at different aspects clothing can symbolize and what the clothes were doing in the dream. This will help you in prayer as you seek out the interpretation and meaning from the Lord.

Dreams come in all shapes and sizes. They are riddled or cloaked with symbolism and meaning. As a Christian, I firmly believe God speaks to us in dreams, and today I want to explore with you what clothing dreams mean.

Clothes are a pretty large topic as we wear so many different kinds. From everyday stuff like t-shirts, sweaters, pants/jeans, to some not so common like gloves, scarves, pantyhose, ponchos, ascot tie, and the list goes on.

I can’t go over every single article of clothing, but my goal is to give you tools to help you understand your dream. Take these tools with prayer and let God reveal to you what the clothing means in the dream. We will cover more of this at the end on how to interpret clothes in dreams.

I have created a table of content for this article as it’s pretty lengthy. I tried my best to cover various topics that deal with clothing in dreams. Feel free to jump to a section, but I would encourage you to read or skim through it. This will help you gain a great understanding overall.

And if you are new to dream interpretation, then I encourage you to head over to my Christian Dream Interpretation. I have a lot of articles on there that will help you grow in your understanding of dreams and the Bible!

IMPORTANT NOTE on Dreams about Clothes

I have been writing on Christian dream interpretation for a while now. And I have noticed a common thread among readers. So, I want to clarify those things here:

• I will NOT interpret your dream for you. I get bombarded by emails and comments asking people to interpret their dreams for them. I would never be able to keep up with them. I only do dream interpretation in my local church community unless the Lord specifically leads me otherwise. I am sorry, but I trust that if you are hungry to know the meaning of the dream (if it’s from Him). God is faithful to give you the interpretation whether He reveals it personally to you or through someone else.
  
• Interpretation comes from God (Genesis 40:8), not from some website on the internet or book. God does gift individuals to help them interpret and understand dreams. We see this with Joseph and Daniel in the Bible. But you can’t make a blanket statement about someone’s specific dream.
  
• Dreams vary from person to person and symbols can be multifacet. This means that one specific symbol can have different meanings.
  
• Our goal in this specific article is to talk about the Biblical meaning of clothes in dreams. But we must be aware not every single article of clothing is mentioned in the Bible. For example, you are not going to find a Bible verse about blue jeans or tank tops. In Biblical and ancient times, they wore robes, tunics, shawls, cloaks, ect… We will look more at this in the next section.

Clothing Dreams: What does the Bible Say about Clothes

The Bible does talk about clothes, but it’s not the clothes that we know and wear today. This can make it tricky to get a clear understanding of what your dream could mean. Things like snake dreams are a little easier to solidify since they are mentioned throughout scripture and snakes are the same today.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get some solid understanding from the Bible. What we can do is understand the basic Biblical concept of clothing and from their ask questions when the article of clothing becomes specific. We can also look at the clothing in the natural and what its intended use is. For example, a rain jacket is used during the rain to keep dry, while a bathing suit is used for swimming.

The NKJV Bible mentions the word clothes 125 times, clothing 49 times, clothed 73 times. So, we have a lot to help us grasp a good understanding. Don’t worry. We won’t be going over every single verse in this article. What I will do is look at some key Bible verses.

If we follow the “law of first mention.“

What is the law of first mention? R.T Kendall

R.T. Kendall explained that the “law of first mention” is “a time-honoured hermeneutical method,” stating that “the way a word is first used in the Bible will be the way this word is largely understood thereafter.”

We will go over a few topics here and then move on to more in the symbolic, spiritual, proptheic meaning of clothes. Now. the first mention of clothing is quite interesting! It’s found in Genesis 3:21…right after the fall of man and it says:

Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

Before the fall adam and eve were naked in the garden. It’s when sin came into the picture that they realized they were naked and felt ashamed. They tried using fig leaves but that didn’t work to well. This is when God created the first clothes for them. There is much more to unrap and reveal from this story, but to keep on topic let’s focus on clothing.

• Adam and Eve felt ashamed of their nakedness. God used clothes as a covering.

Another interesting thing we see throughout scropture with clothing is the tearing of clothes are garments. This was practice used when someone was experiencing intense grief or anger. They would literally rip their clothes. The first time we see this is in Genesis 37:29, and Genesis 37:34. The JCAM states:

Kriah is a Hebrew word meaning “tearing.” It refers to the act of tearing one’s clothes or cutting a black ribbon worn on one’s clothes. This rending is a striking expression of grief and anger at the loss of a loved one. Kriah is an ancient tradition. When our patriarch Jacob believed his son Joseph was dead, he tore his garments (Genesis 37:34). Likewise, in II Samuel 1:11 we are told that King David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and rent them upon hearing of the death of Saul and Jonathan. Job, too, in grieving for his children, stood up and rent his clothes (Job 1:20).

The last one I want to cover here is how clothing carried a socioeconomic status. We can see this when Jospeh is given garments of fine linen from Pharaoh (Genesis 41:42). Another example is Esther placing her royal probes on to win favor with her king (Esther 5). These are just two mentions, there are many others where clothing signified level of wealth or position. We even see this today in our culture. A man wearing a nice suit usually means he is a business man, or a man in uniform means he as specific career and position.

The Symbolic, Spiritual, and Prophetic Meaning of Clothes in Dreams

When we learn the symbolic meaning of something we unlock the spiritual and prophetic meaning as well. Since clothing can symbolism many things I made a table to break down the meanings with Bible references for further study. I thought this would be the easiest way to see the information and glean from it. Just remember that in a dream clothes can represent many different areas of your life. Here are three main areas we see:

• Clothes can represent your spiritual state
  
• Clothes can represent your emotional state
  
• Clothes can represent the character of a person
  
• Clothes can represent your physical position
  

SYMBOL	REFERENCE	SPIRITUAL MEANING
Giving or Given Clothes	Genesis 3:21, Deut. 8:4, Neh. 9:21, 1 Sam. 2:19	An expression of caring, provision, or covering.
Purple Clothes	Ezek. 27:24	Power, Wealth, Authority, Royalty
Wearing the Wrong Clothes to an Event	Matt. 22:11-12	Unprepared, Not Ready
Moth Eaten Clothes	Job 13:28, Isa 50:9; 51:8	Curse
White, New, or Clean Clothes	Ephesians 4:22-24, Revelation 7:13-15	Purity, Newness, Righteousness
Dirty Clothes	Isaiah 64:6; Zechariah 3:3-5; Revelation 7:14	Sin, Unrighteousness
Wearing a Disguises, Fake Clothes	Matthew 7:15, 1 Sam 28:8, Genesis 27:15-27, Joshua 9:4-5)	Deception, Ulterior Motives, Hiding, Concealing Truth
Sackclothes	Genesis 37:34, 1 Chronicles 21:16, Esther 4:1-2	Repentance, Grief, Mourning and/or Sorrow
Clothing/Garments	Psalm 73:6, Isaiah 59:6	Character: Violence
Clothing/Garments	Ezekiel 16:16	Character: Idolatry or Prostitution
Clothing/Garments	Exod. 29:1-9, 40:12-15, Lev. 16:1-4	Religious/Spiritual Activity
Clothing/Garments	2 Corinthians 5:2-4	Eternal body
Clothing/Garments	Isaiah 61:3,10	Salvation and Praise
Clothing/Garments	Proverbs 6:27	Character (a man’s hidden life will show in public)
Clothing/Garments	Ezek 16:10	Blessing and Favor
Clothing/Garments	Hag 1:6	Covering, Necessity
Mantle	1 Kings 19:19-21	Calling, Gifting, Usually associated with the Prophetic gift or office.

As you can see clothes can symbolism many things from positive meaning to a more negative meaning. And I encourage you to hover over those references and read what the scripture says.

Now, how we figure out what the clothes mean in our dream is by asking key questions and looking at the dream as a whole, and most importantly pray! Let’s go over some common clothes dreams and see what they could mean. Just remember these are to help you in the process of understanding your dream. Every dream is different and is specific to the dreamer. It’s not a one size fits all.

Dream of Buying New Clothes or Dream of Shopping for New Clothes

If your dream is about buying or shopping for new clothes this could represent a new time, new seasons, or new position is coming. Some good questions to ask is what type of clothing were you buying? Were they casual, pajamas, work clothes, formal attire? The type of clothes will help you understand more what this new thing is. Pajamas can represent a season of rest is coming.

Some other key question is to ask :

• What kind of store were you at?
• Was money to purchase the clothes an issue?
• Were the clothes a specific color or material?

Dream of Receiving New Clothes 

If you dream about someone handing you new clothes it can represent something new is coming your way. Some examples could be a new job, new spiritual growth, new season. For example if you dreamed you were given a new police officer uniform. This doesn’t mean you are literally going to be a police officer. This could mean a growth in your spiritual authority, or you may be policing something at home with the kids or at work.

Some key questions to ask:

• What were the type clothes given to me?
• Did I want these clothes?
• Any specific colors?
• Did I want the clothes?
• Who gave me these clothes?

Dream of Receiving Old Clothes 

If you dream of receiving old clothes it doesn’t automatically mean a negative. Old or used clothes represent something being passed down or handed to you. This could be a positive thing or not. It just depends a lot on the clothes and who is giving you the clothes.

For example having a dream where you get a package in the mail and you open it up. And you find your old school uniform in it. This could mean you will be learning something over again. This could mean something spiritually, emotionally, or even in the natural.

• Did you want these clothes?
• Who gave me these clothes?
• Were these your old clothes given back to you?
• What type of clothes were they? Work? Casual? School? ect…
• What was the condition of the old clothes? Clean? Dirty? Worn out? Like new?

Dream of Dirty Clothes 

Dreaming of dirty clothes usually symbolism an issue of some kind. This could be a sin issue, character issue, or something else. If you dream of eating this mean and you stain and dirty your shirt. It could represent that something that you are consuming (tv, books, social media, videos, bad habits, games, etc…) will cause an issue in your life.

Some key questions to ask:

• Are these dirty clothes yours or someone else’s?
• Were you wearing the dirty clothes?
• How did the clothes make you feel?
• Did you want or try to clean them?
• How dirty were they?
• What kind of stains did the clothing have? food? mud? sweat? Etc..

Dream of Folding Clothes

Dreaming of folding clothes could represent several things. The act of folding clothes is usually to put them away for later. This could mean a season has passed or season of something will be coming in the future. It could also represent putting something away that it is no longer needed.

Some key questions to ask:

• Were these clothes yours or someone else’s?
• Were they clean, new, old, or used clothes?
• What type of clothing were they? mixed clothes, a uniform, gym clothes, business suit
• Where were you folding the clothes? Sometimes the location can reveal more
• How did you feel about folding these clothes up?
• Did you place the clothes once folded somewhere? closet? drawer? suitcase? attic?

Dream of Cleaning Clothes (Laundry – Washing Clothes)

Dreams of cleaning clothes can represent removing something from your life and cleansing happening. This could be sin, an issues, or problem. Washing in the Bible is usually connected with purification, cleanings, and righteousness. For example a dream about washing all your work clothes could represent an issue or problem you have at work resolving.

Some key questions to ask:

• What type of clothes were you washing? Work? Casual? Pjs? School?
• Were the clothes dirty?
• How were you washing them? Did you use a washing machine?
• Did the clothes become clean or were they still dirty?
• Were these your clothes or someone else’s?

Dream of Hanging Clothes or Dream of Clothesline

Dreams of hanging clothes, or dreams of clotheslines can represent many things. Again we need to ask questions to help us break down the dream and then begin to pray about it. A dream about hanging your clothes up in your closet could be similar to folding your clothes. You are putting something away.

As for dreaming of hanging clothes on a clothesline or drying clothes has a different meaning. In the natural we do this to dry clothes or even freshens up clothes. The sun does some amazing things! This could represent a season of waiting or transition.

Some key questions to ask:

• What type of clothes were you hanging up?
• Were they dry? clean? new?
• Where were you hanging them up? Inside like a closet? Outside? What was the weather if it was outside?
• How were you hanging them up? Did you use hangers? clips? or something else?

Dream of a Dress

Dreaming of a dress is too vague to understand what it could mean. Yes, a dress can symbolize femininity but the type of dress will give us a greater understanding. For example there is a big difference between a dream about a sweater dress and a dream about a wedding dress. They are both dresses but each one is used for different weather and occasions.

Some key questions to ask:

• Were you wearing the dress?
• What type of dress was it? Casual? formal?
• Was the dress short or long?
• Were you wearing the dress to specific location or event?
• Was the dress a specific color or pattern?
• How did you feel in the dress?

Dream about a Coat or Jacket

When we usually wear a coat or jacket its because it’s cold outside. We would never wear one in the summer. So, dreaming about a coat or jacket can represent a cold or a winter season or situation. This could be the season you are in or a something that is coming. A jacket or coat can represent protection from the elements. Depending on the coat or jacket it can keep you warm and/or dry.

For example having dream of wearing a wool jacket in a rainstorm and getting soaking wet could mean that you are not prepared for the storm that is coming. Another dream could you being gifted a heavy coat from your dad. This could indicate a winter season is coming but that God is going to cover you through it.

Some key questions to ask:

• What type of coat or jacket was it?
• Were you outside? What was the weather like? Were you cold?
• Were you given the coat or jacket?
• Was there anything distinct about the coat or jacket? Color, material? length?

Dreams about Underwear

Underwear is used as a garment under our outer clothing and it usually covers our private parts. But did you know that underwear is even mentioned in the Bible? In Exodus 28:42-43 it talks about the priest’s undergarments!

Just as it is in the natural this same truth can be carried over into our underwear dreams. Underwear can represent private, intimate, or personal things. For example if you dreamed that you were wearing your underwear over your pants it could represent that personal and private things are being seen by those around you.

Some key questions to ask:

• Were you wearing the underwear or was underwear located?
• How did you feel in the dream?
• What type of underwear was it? Anything specific about them? Color? Material?

Dreams about Wearing a Uniform 

Dreams with uniforms in it can represent position, rank, authority, or calling. Remember this usually symbolic and can represent the spirit realm. I gave the example earlier on receiving a police uniform in a dream and how that can represent a new level of authority in the spirit realm.

Some key questions to ask:

• What type of uniform was it?
• How did you feel about the uniform?
• How did you obtain this uniform?

Bathing Suit Dream

Dreaming about a bathing suit can represent the spirit realm. In scripture water is usually symbolic for the spirit. We see this in the symbolism of the Holy Spirit. So, a dream about a swimming or a bathing suit can indicate it might have to do with the spirit realm. For example you put on a bathing suit in the dream and dive off a high diving platform. This could mean you will be diving into the deep things of God. The bathing suit representing you are prepared (dressed) right for it.

Some key questions to ask:

• What type of bathing suit was it?
• Did you go swimming?
• How did you feel about your bathing suit?
• Was their anything unique or specific about the bathing suit.

What About Hats and Shoes?

When you think about articles of clothing, you can have quite a vast list. Because of this, I decided to separate some. I did this because it would keep this post shorter and easier to read and those articles of clothing have enough significance that they can have their own post. So, if you are looking for info on hats or shoes, then please head over to these articles:

• The Biblical Meaning of Hats in Dreams
  
• The Biblical Meaning of Shoes in Dreams

How To Interpret Clothes in Dreams

Here are some helpful steps you can take to help you interpret a dream and what the clothes could mean. You will see a lot of questions through these steps. This is to help you break down your dream and get clarity. I hope and pray you find it helpful.

1. Write the dream down (or record it audible on your phone or computer) and make note of anything prominent in the dream. (People, colors, objects, sound, location, etc…) 
   
   If clothing plays a big role in the dream. Make sure to write all the details about clothes. Here are some key generic question you can ask about the clothes in the dream. This should help you writing those details out:
   
   KEY CLOTHING QUESTIONS TO ASK
   
   – Were you wearing the clothes?
   
   – Where was the location of the clothes? On a person, folded, being washed… etc
   
   – What was the condition of the clothes? New, used, clean, dirty…
   
   – Was what you (or someone else) wearing a uniform or clothing for a certain position someone hold? Example: police uniform, king’s robe, doctor’s coat. 
   
   – What type of piece of clothing? Shirt, sweater, dress, pants, scarf…etc 
   
   – Does this article of clothing just cover one area of the body? For example: gloves
   
   – What color or prominent colors did you see on the clothing?  
   
   – Was the type of fabric prominent? Silk, cotton, denim…etc 
   
2. Look into the Bible about symbols you saw in your dream. Make a note of this information and if something is quickened in your spirit, than write that down.
   
3. Begin to pray about the dream and ask God to bring clarity about what these clothes symbolize. If you sense anything from Him, write it down.
   
4. This is a good time to share the dream with a friend or family member. You want this person to be someone who is a Christian and knows the Bible. Tell them what your sensing and feeling about the dream. Ask for their thoughts and what they feel. I would encourage you to ask for prayer during this time as well. 
   
5. Pray over what you feel the dream and the clothing could mean, and take action if you feel the Lord is leading to you.

More About Dreams

I hope you have enjoyed this article on the Biblical meaning of clothes in a dream. My prayer is that it was helpful and that it has stirred your heart to dig deeper into the Bible.

Down below are some other articles on dream that you might find helpful if you want to grow in understanding dreams and visions.