Are sleeveless dresses/tops immodest?

[ThyKingdomCome]

Can someone provide some pictures of dresses (or models wearing them) which are modest for church?
This style of dress is in fashion at the moment, I wear similar expect plain with no collars, lace etc. and wear thick black tights underneath, if its sleeveless I’ll wear something around my shoulders.

Please if anyone can find pictures of suitable church dresses I would like to see them!

Rather than find a picture, I would suggest looking for something that has a knee length skirt or longer, and a neckline that doesn’t dip into cleavage. My recommendation for a v-neckline is to keep the lowest point of the V no lower than the armpit. A more rounded neckline would probably need to be a little higher up. My principle with the neckline is to make sure that if it gets jostled a bit, it doesn’t become revealing, and if you bend over or bow, you won’t be providing a show. You don’t want the priest to have to avert his eyes before giving you the Eucharist. I prefer shoulders covered, and also prefer sleeve openings that don’t provide a horizontal view into the clothing (ie - short sleeves, rather than sleeveless).

One way to deal with low necklines is to layer, using tank tops or other undershirts, or even to sew a swatch of fabric (like a faux-layer) to the opening. Shawls, caplets, boleros, and cardigans are great for covering shoulders and armpits. You can even make some skirts longer by sewing coordinating fabrics to the hem of a short skirt. Can’t remember where I’ve seen those tutorials, but I know they are out there. If you can’t find a dress that you find both fashionable and modest, or if you don’t have time to sew, go for a skirt and top instead. You’ll have a lot more options.

 

[Morwenna]

If you can’t find a dress that you find both fashionable and modest, or if you don’t have time to sew, go for a skirt and top instead. You’ll have a lot more options.

This is my solution! I am somewhat … ah … “vertically challenged” , and it’s difficult to find dresses which fit properly. The “petite” section usually doesn’t have much variety to choose from, so I’ve had much more success just going with skirts and tops, skirts and sweaters, etc. I can get a much more ‘customized’ fit with two separate pieces, too!

Not to mention that it’s also fun to pair up items to make a unique outfit, rather than an “as-is” dress.

 

[acadiANNA]

From what I learned in high school is that you must have sleeves, shoulders covered, and your neckline should be 2-3 inches from your neck. No tank tops. Sundress with jacket or shawl. No cleavage showing. It is in church, the House of God, and you will be receiving Holy Eucharist, the body and blood of Christ at Communion. Dresses—knee, slightly above the knee, or ankle length. No shorts, ever, not even in summertime. No T-shirts with graphics except in cases where groups attend the Mass together as in CYO, Scouts, KC. Somewhere I have the guidelines from a Pastor. When I find them, I will post again. But
friends, do remember the purpose of going to Church, be respectful and dress appropriately.

 

[Sunbreak]

I looked at the photos and then looked at the length. If you are very short and not well endowed, some of the dresses may be ok and not be too revealing, especially if you covered with a jacket. However, if you are like around 5’5" or so, most of the dresses would fall halfway between your butt and your knees and that seems too short for church. Somewhere else maybe, but not church.

 

[VirtusTransitus]

I live in Vegas. I normally attend a very early mass, where the average age is probably 55+.

But when I attend the 10am or Noon mass, I see some crazy stuff passing for church clothes.

Wonder some times if folks just rolled into bed from the club at 2am. Then rolled back out to head off to church!

 

[LizKirb]

I think they’re all adorable. If they come down long enough and there’s no gap where your bra hangs out, I’d love to see them at church. If your mom is really that concerned, why don’t you offer to wear a shawl or shrug over them or tights? Compromise is possible!

 

[Cider]

Seriously? That short? I would have put them at knee length or slightly above. And opaque tights would definitely fix that considering any weird weather phenomenon. Honestly, polite people avert their eyes from such unusual events. Those that don’t needn’t blame the object of their view.

they aren’t knee length from the picture . The first dress is mid thigh on the model and the others, while they do not include model pictures appear to be of similar length, I looked at other dresses they sell with model pictures and the ones I saw were all mid thigh.

 

[mandajane]

I am a huge modcloth fan, and I do a lot of my shopping there. As well, the church I attend has heating but not air conditioning, so I would wear these to church in the summer.

Of course, I am vertically challenged as well, so dresses that appear to be mid-thigh on some of these models are just above the knee for me.

And even if the dresses are mid-thigh, I usually wear leggings or capris with them to cover my knees. I have the windy city dress that I wear in spring with a pair of black mid-calf leggings and I often get compliments on the look.

It should also be noted that I will usually wear a bolero with these, and take it off only when the heat becomes unbearable. I also veil at mass, and my veil just barely covers my shoulders.

It really depends on how you where them, and how they look on you. Modcloth is usually great about returns, so I would order them and try them on at home, see what you can do with them before deciding.

As far as the dresses you’ve linked, for 1,2, and 3, I would wear them with white leggings and a cardigan, and only take off the cardigan if the heat was BAD.

For the third, I’d be more inclined to pick up leggings and a cardigan in one of the colors of the dress and wear that.

 

[Ceil-1]

They are all too short, dear. The rainbow dress is way too revealing, especially for church. Look for knee length. Sleeveless is not appropriate for church, but elsewhere is ok. Also, you should wear nylons unless the dress is at least calf length. Guys are too easily turned on, and I will bet you are plenty cute enough without enhancements.

 

[pnewton]

I didn’t see anything wrong with them. Standards of modesty change over time. There are some absolute no-no’s, but I always consider the shoulder thing right up there with ankles, which were once considered immodest to show. As a guy, I have never seen the shoulder as something inticing or needed to be covered.

 

[johnnyt3000]

youtube.com/watch?v=PZHECJJbzPM

Homily from EWTN about modesty, mainly for mass/church.

 

[LightBound]

youtube.com/watch?v=PZHECJJbzPM

Homily from EWTN about modesty, mainly for mass/church.

Johnny, with all charity, as a teenage boy, I don’t think it’s appropriate at all for you to go around resurrecting old threads (or starting new ones) on women’s apparel. There are enough adult females on CAF that can (and do) advise on this matter. You received some outstanding advice on your recent thread, one of which was this bit of wisdom:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=12836216&postcount=41

 

[Sunbreak]

looking at the dresses, top to bottom:
1-fine except length too short for a taller person, but would be ok if you are shorter
2&3 maybe a little too dressy for church (would be able to see bra straps under the lace)
4- too low cut for church

 

[Walking_Home]

youtube.com/watch?v=PZHECJJbzPM

Homily from EWTN about modesty, mainly for mass/church.

---

You should meditate on this johnnyt300. It is written for priests – but the message applies to laity alike. We should all seek the Grace – to see Christ in our neighbor-- asking for nothing in return-- no matter the mode of dress. So instead of harping on “modesty” – pray for purification/ to be clean within.

Priestly celibacy in the light
of medicine and psychology

So it is extremely important for every priest to know how to maintain discipline over his thoughts and his imagination. For one can also sin alone, in thought: by looking at another person with desire, by treating that other person as an object, the sin of fornication is committed in the depths of the heart. If an attitude of this sort dominates the heart, it will also manifest itself outside.** On the other hand, if we are clean within, no external situation can provoke somatic reactions against our will. Sexual excitement depends, in the first place, on the intentions with which we approach our neighbour,** how we look at him or her and what we see there. The priest is obliged to see the very Christ in his neighbour; the aim of any encounter can only be to bring that person nearer to God.

The entire human body shares in the specific vocation of each individual, for without a physical structure we cannot exist. So the body too has to help the priest in his task as the shepherd of souls. Maturity brings the father’s role, particularly to the priest, whose task it is to beget souls (see St Paul).

Lust tends to subordinate others to our will, subjugating them and humiliating them by treating them as objects.** A father’s love, however, offers itself, asking nothing in return**. But to attain to this, one must teach the body self-control. .

vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_01011993_light_en.html

 

[Convert_in_99]

They are all modest to me for summer dresses.

The first two look modest enough for church, the third is probably fine, the fourth not for church.

 

[12345678]

They all look like they are too short (the first one definitely).
No need to have see-through lace at Mass for 2 and 3 where it either looks like you aren’t wearing a bra or you can see the bra straps. I can’t tell if 3 is low cut like other people are saying, but too short would make them immodest on its own. If you wear legging etc that may be different, but that wasn’t the question, the question was if these dresses are immodest for Mass and from what I see I would say all of them are. Sure you can wear a cardigan, leggings etc, but then you would have to specify, would this first dress with a cardigan and leggings be modest, but you didn’t so we have to assume you are talking about the dress as it is.

 

[acadiANNA]

Maybe you have an obsession with this topic. Please use another avenue for your talent. It doesn’t seem to me to be appropriate for this forum. More like you are the one getting the most benefit from it. Just my opinion.

 

[Havard]

Johnny, with all charity, as a teenage boy, I don’t think it’s appropriate at all for you to go around resurrecting old threads (or starting new ones) on women’s apparel. There are enough adult females on CAF that can (and do) advise on this matter. You received some outstanding advice on your recent thread, one of which was this bit of wisdom:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=12836216&postcount=41

Seconded. The thread necromancy is not serving any productive purpose, just stick to one (new) thread.

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

I actually like all of the dresses, especially the last one…the rainbow-colored one. Sleeveless dresses and tops are very attractive, and to think they are “immodest” would be pretty Puritan, I believe. I wear dresses and skirts to church, and sleeveless is hardly shocking in this day in age. I don’t know that it ever would have been. I’m not all that concerned about modesty, really. There are just too many pretty fashions to just limit yourself so, just because of extremely Puritan ideas. And I say this as a devout Catholic. Don’t get me wrong. I see nothing wrong with a girl or woman looking cute and pretty. And in an open V-neckline, a delicate cross necklace would look beautiful. I’ve seen some ladies in church with backless dresses on. Small confession, I have always been kind of drawn to the minidress look, like the Brady girls in the 1970s. The late 60’s/ early 70’s was a very attractive time for clothing. I just like the look…the shorter dresses and platform shoes. I don’t see anything all that wrong with it.