How Should We Dress For Mass?

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Detroit Sue:
I always wear a dress, and I always wear a mantilla. I’m not an old lady, either.
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I wear a veil too. I love to hear from other like-minded women.

I wear dress pants mostly but often a skirt and blouse.

ps: I’m not old either. At least I don’t think I’m old… 🙂
 
At the moment I ride the city bus plus walk four blocks to mass - in the process of moving closer to my parish - so if it’s a really nice day or a feast day such as today, it’s a dress with sandals. If it’s not a nice day it’s slacks and a nice shirt with decent tennis shoes (with 9AAAA feet it’s a hard fit without going to Nordstroms - the West Coast version of Bloomingdales).
 
My problem isn’t knowing what is immodest for mass, but how to approach ladies that dress immodest (mainly skin tight clothing). When I have in the past they either are totally oblivious or feel like I’m attacking them. Guess all I can do is pray.
 
Jamz,

I believe it is the responsibility of the priest or maybe the ushers to directly address a person concerning their attire, while ours is to set a good example.
As far as what do I consider proper attire for church, I wear a modest dress or skirt/slacks and blouse, and I wear a mantilla. Then again outside of the mantilla, this is how I am normally dressed when I leave my home. I was taught from a early age that modesty is a virtue, that was in the first age of skin tight miniskirts and all revealing halter tops. I have learned the hard way that how we dress and behave does effect how we are treated, and how we feel about ourselves.
No matter what our economic state, as long as we are dressed in a clean, modest manner and with a reverent attitude we should be more than welcome in church.
Linda H.
 
I was actually thrilled that at the end of mass last night the priest did say we need to dress appropriate for the Eucharist. The only problem is we need to hear specific examples. It’s a start though!
 
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buffalo:
Men - the way you dress will show your children how serious you take your faith. Most children look to their father to determine what he takes seriously. Consider how we dress for a wedding. Suits and ties… Now, when I child is looking at this scenario and sees a father wearing jeans or shorts ( or worse) to Mass he may well conclude that a wedding is much more important and taken more serious than Mass. How will this affect his faith? More positive or negative?
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This is true if the only thing the man did regarding his faith was to go to Mass. I don’t know why you are addressing men only, but a dad’s behavior 24 hours a day regarding the faith says much much much more than what he wears to Sunday Mass.
 
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S_Corda:
This is true if the only thing the man did regarding his faith was to go to Mass. I don’t know why you are addressing men only, but a dad’s behavior 24 hours a day regarding the faith says much much much more than what he wears to Sunday Mass.
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The problem is- wether we like it or not, the way we dress IS cultural and sends messages. (Note “the way we dress”, is not the same as “what we wear”.)

There are men and women in my parish that wear the same “style” of clothing. But often times "the way they dress is radically different.

Clean, pressed pants look very different than those who have been pulled right from the drawer. No matter how expensive they were, or what brand they are.

Those who have appropriate underclothes, (i.e. undershirts, bras, slips, nylons, etc.) Make the clothes lay better on a body, and go a LONG way to communicate messages of: “I spent some time dressing today.” “I care that how I look is a representation of myself.”

You are right- behavior is most important.

But I submit that the people who have a behavior of taking time to prepare themselves appropriately and modestly, and cleanly, who take time to care for their clothing by pressing and laundering it well; lend the same care and consideration to other aspects of their life. Especially to the aspects of their life referring to their Faith, and their family.
 
I live in a small tourist town. Many of the people in church are visitors on vacation. They usually come in shorts. Because of this, many in our parish “dress down” so not to make visitors uncomfortable. As far as I am concerned, they came to Mass on vacation, so I don’t care what they are wearing:)
 
When i start going to church, I’m gonna buy a nice sunday dress. I think you shoudl dress up to go to church. My nana used to go to church wearing a black dress with long sleeves and calf length, with a mantilla. I think that dressing formally will honour the example she gave to me. I have a slight problem. I’m very petite btu am “well endowed” (i hope that isn’t inappropriate). It is really hard to find clothign that fit me every where including my chest. Most of my shirts are a little tight-fitting aroudn my chest. The shirts that i do have that fit my chest look so frumpy and makes me look like a slob, so I have a dilemma, any suggestions?
 
Re: the argument that it doesn’t matter what people wear, just be glad they’re at Mass. I read an article written by a priest some time ago that kind of blew holes in that argument. He said something to the effect that how we dress impactds on our behavior. We behave differently when we’re dressed up than when we’re dressed very casually. I agree with that. I wear nice pants and tops or blouses to Mass with low heels or flats. Even a hat once in a while!

Peace,
Linda
 
I often hear the argument- Jesus doesn’t care what we’re wearing!

Well, that’s obviously true, but I think it goes a LONG way in determining **your own **frame of mind when you are wearing your nice clothes.

I don’t completely believe this statement. The teenage girl I saw last weekend wearing lowrider jeans and a midriff top might be an occasion of sin for some men and boys. Jesus weeps at that!
 
yeah, a young girl wearing low cut jeans and tight shirts has a different frame of mind that a young girl in a modest dress.
👍
 
Charlemagne said:
I often hear the argument- Jesus doesn’t care what we’re wearing!

Well, that’s obviously true, but I think it goes a LONG way in determining **your own **frame of mind when you are wearing your nice clothes.

I don’t completely believe this statement. The teenage girl I saw last weekend wearing lowrider jeans and a midriff top might be an occasion of sin for some men and boys. Jesus weeps at that!
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So very true. On graduation nite (for high school) at Disneyland, they require people to wear either a coat/tie or dress to be admitted. It really does make a difference…
 
I would suppose there could be some appeal made to Matthew 6 regarding almsgiving, prayer, fasting and earthly treasure that could extend to dress - i.e., not dressing ostentatiously or in a manner that calls attention to yourself, causes distraction, etc. And I have certainly seen a pretty pathetic array of dress at mass these days - and not just from the young.

Personally, my dress for mass tends to change with the seasons - from “semiformal” or “more relaxed” in the winter to more casual in the summer (never shorts or jeans though). I think the important thing is that one’s dress indicate thoughtful preparation - not just slapping something on. I think you should prepare for mass externally as well as internally.

If someone looks presentable - as in thoughtfully dressed not necessarily formally dressed - I think that is sufficient. If someone’s dress is the result of humble reflection and respect for what they will be experiencing, I don’t feel that I am in a position to judge the validity of their dress in God’s eyes.
 
As for coming to Mass on vacation, if it’s on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation, this should not be a pleasant surprise, but rather something that is expected. You can’t take a vacation from God. Therefore, someone on vacation should be expected to wear the same thing they should wear at their home parish. It is not hard at all to pack a nice outfit, and many hotel room have irons and ironing boards to make your clothes look nice as well. I have been in this situation a few times in the past, so trust me that it can be accomplished without too much trouble.

If, however, they are going to a daliy Mass (i.e. not required), then that brings up the question of whether or not attire for Sunday Mass and daily Mass should be equivalent. I think I will start a new thread regarding that issue.

Finally, I agree with everyone who says that the way you prepare your clothes is important. I’m in Civil Air Patrol, and we wear what is basically the exact same uniform as the Air Force, aside from a few patches, badges, and insignia. The cadets who haved been promoted and reached high positions of authority do not have uniforms that look good because it is a requirement of their rank, but because the mindset of having a good appearance comes with the mindset of striving to take on leadership positions. Additionally, a good-looking uniform will draw respect from the fellow cadets, just as preparing your clothes for Mass will set a good example for fellow parishioners. Finally, when wearing the CAP uniform, we not only represent CAP but also the entire Air Force. If some random citizen sees a cadet wearing a uniform that is in bad condition, what impression will that make on them about the Air Force? Likewise, if someone sees you exiting Mass wearing sloppy clothing, what impression will that make upon them regarding the Catholic Church?

Well, I just thought I would add that in. Feel free to debate it. Take care and God bless.
 
I doubt anyone would object if a Fransican came to church in his plain robe and sandals. . . 🙂
 
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Samwise:
As for coming to Mass on vacation, if it’s on a Sunday or Holy Day of Obligation, this should not be a pleasant surprise, but rather something that is expected. You can’t take a vacation from God. Therefore, someone on vacation should be expected to wear the same thing they should wear at their home parish. It is not hard at all to pack a nice outfit, and many hotel room have irons and ironing boards to make your clothes look nice as well. I have been in this situation a few times in the past, so trust me that it can be accomplished without too much trouble…

Finally, I agree with everyone who says that the way you prepare your clothes is important… if someone sees you exiting Mass wearing sloppy clothing, what impression will that make upon them regarding the Catholic Church?
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Awesome! Well stated! :clapping:
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Prometheum_x:
I doubt anyone would object if a Fransican came to church in his plain robe and sandals. . .
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I quite agree. But I also doubt one would enter the House of God in a rumpled, disheveled robe either 😛
 
I quite agree. But I also doubt one would enter the House of God in a rumpled, disheveled robe either 😛
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Unless of course that was all that you had. . .
 
I was just thinking yesterday how we used to wear hats and white gloves to Sunday Mass. It was really a special day. My dad always wore a suit, long sleeve white shirt, tie, etc. He didn’t complain about it even though there was no airconditioning in our church. It didn’t matter how hot it got and Kansas summers are hot!!! I remember my dad’s sacrifice when I think of “dressing down” for Holy Mass.🙂
 
People should dress modestly, that should be a given.

Jesus doesn’t care what you wear, but he does know whether you honor him or not. If you find yourself in a situation where you have nothing nice to wear to Mass, of COURSE he wouldn’t fault you! But if your dress reflects your indifference or apathy, I do think he will mind your indifference and apathy!
 
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