We can all picture a dressy Ritz cracker, round, pierced with multiple holes, and boasting scalloped edges. However, there are also the Ritz Carlton chain of hotels, the Ritz Camera Store founded in Atlantic City nearly a century ago, and all the other businesses that try to trade off that swanky name.
The term Ritz has come to mean something of higher than average quality. It also means something to catch the eye, to look flashy, to stand out in a crowd.
Putting on the Ritz is a slang term from as early as 1921, meaning to dress up and parade oneself at the showiest places around, whether at the Ritz Hotel in London, or the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at the south end of Central Park. The phrase was so popular it was made into a hit song written and published in 1929 by Irving Berlin. He changed the phrase slightly, dropping the g on the first word, but there was no doubting the reference. It was exactly the same.
Putting on the Ritz. When we put on the Ritz, we make ourselves look as fine as possible, showing off the very best we have to offer, making sure everyone notices. We want to be seen.
Christ wants us to “put on the Ritz.” In Colossians 3:10-17, Paul describes our ritzy attire, from our top hats to our highly polished shoes. He makes sure we know the plan, so that we can be the star of the show, the one everyone notices, the standout in the crowd.
Paul lays out a plan for putting on Jesus. He tells us we will look completely different when we are dressed in Jesus, a new man, in fact. People will look for the man we were, and instead, they will find the look of Christ in everything we do and say. Our new suit of clothes will be that of Christ. We will be dressed in the finest our Lord has to offer. People will notice, and they will want to join in.
Let’s look at our Christ suit:
No. 1: A high hat is first on our agenda.
Otherwise known as a top hat or stove pipe, the high hat is a stunning symbol of status and position. It makes us stand out in the crowd.
However, just as one high hat is the same as another, so we are the same in Jesus. There is no longer Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free. Rather, Christ is all, and in all.
No. 2: Next comes our narrow collar.
First used by the exclusive Eton College in the 1850s, this iconic style became associated with the school, starting a new trend. Now it is expected in the toniest of situations.
We are the elect of God, exclusive, the toniest of the toney. We must wear our mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness, and longsuffering, letting them become iconic symbols of Christ in us.
No. 3: A spangled gown or a well-creased tuxedo adds sparkle.
In the Fred Astaire version, these were cutaway daycoats, with striped pants. In any version, we are to wear our very best. For a woman? The glitzier the better, with lots of sparkly doodads.
Paul tells us that when we wrap ourselves in the fabric of forgiveness, we have attired ourselves in the most exotic of sartorial creations. We are to be patient and forgiving with each other, and if anyone tries to quarrel with us, well, we wear the gown of forgiveness, and we are to forgive them, just as Christ forgave us.
No. 4: Silk stockings are a must.
Silk has long been considered the ultimate fabric, soft to the skin, expensive to obtain, and a sign of true affluence and taste.
No one would dress in their best and forget to don stockings. In the same manner, we cannot forget to put on our charity, which is love for our fellow man. It is the bond of completion that proves our growth in Christ.
No. 5: Leathers for our feet can’t be beat.
In the 1920s, a smooth glossy leather finish became popular. Known as patent leather, it was the stylish way to dress. Slicked down hair, perfectly styled, was the look, and these shoes were an ideal match.
The peace of God is our patent leather finish. We are to let it rule in our hearts, so that we are one body in Christ. His peace will smooth our spirits into perfection before the world, enabling us to show our thankfulness in all things.
No. 6: White spats follow.
Spats, or spatterdashes, were designed to keep “spatters” of mud from staining the pant legs. By the twenties, they were a fashion icon, worn for cosmetic reasons, and fashionable for the most upscale dressers, as they covered unsightly laces and fasteners.
Our spatterdashes are the Words of Christ. When we let the Word dwell in us, teaching and admonishing one another with its wisdom, and incorporating its truth into our songs unto the Lord, no bad thing of this world will stain our Christian experience.
No. 6: We wrap it up with a black tie.
A white tie for day, a black for night. When we don our black tie, we step out into the glitter and pizazz, aiming to see and be seen. Our black tie tells the world so.
Just as our tie is the finishing touch to our fancy dress, so we are to do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father. Our voices lifted in praise to our heavenly Father become the pièce de résistance that makes our Christ suit complete.
When we “put on the Ritz,” people will notice. That is the point, for others to see Christ in us. Let’s jazz it up!
When we put on Christ, the world will want to join our party.
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