How to dress for church

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OhMalley said:
It wouldn’t work anyway. I wouldn’t wear a jacket and tie and you couldn’t keep me out of a Catholic parish (“dress code” or not) if I didn’t.

“Belted?” I don’t wear a belt when I wear dress slacks – I wear braces.

While I don’t wear sandals they are MOST appropriate at Mass given their presence in the Bible.

The mantilla is a good one! Just try enforcing that!
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Well, you could always go looking like an ally cat, OhMalley! :twocents:

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stevusmagnus said:
So I suppose 1st century Jewish robes are also appropriate for Mass as well?

In fact Adam and Eve were naked in the Bible, so I suppose this would be acceptable for Mass as well. Or at least fig leaves.

Also they didn’t wear pants or dress shirts in the Bible, so you’re going to have to adjust if this is our new standard.
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Did you ever happen to take a course in logic? 😦
 
The more I read this thread the more depressing it seems.

Love comes from the heart, not from what you are wearing.

Be yourself, but be respectful to your beliefs on attire.
 
tecvba said:
My criteria is that since I believe that Jesus is truly there in the tabernacle I don’t wear anything I wouldn’t want Him to see me in. I would never wear shorts, flip flops and the like to see the Pope or the president so why would I wear them to go to God’s House. It’s not about us folks…it’s about Him. If you truly believe Jesus is there in your church you will find a way to dress for Him and modest does not equal expensive. Any thrift store I have ever been to or worked at sells dresses and suits very affordably-five to ten dollars and less. People usually find a way to do what they really want to do. Just look at how many folks say they have no money for food but always seem to have a pack of cigarettes.
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I think almost all here if not absolutely all believe in the real presence. That’s not under debate.

My question is what makes a suit/blazer/tie (for men) intrinsically so special? Certainly not God! It’s society. In some cases it’s people’s version of an idealized 1950 American Society.

It seems to me the people who “dress-up” for Mass/Divine Liturgy at my parishes do so in a way that I would not want to be seen by the Pope or the President of the USA. Odd-looking suits that I would NEVER wear (and I do wear suits) odd looking dress shirts (including short-sleeved dress shirts) and ties that truly make me wonder.

Yet THEY seem to feel it’s something special because that’s how they dressed as kids or that’s what David and Rickey wore on Ozzie & Harriett.
  • Some things NEVER have a place at liturgy namely revealing/immodest/sexy clothes or obscene clothes. Not ever.
  • No one should dress like a slob if they have the means to dress better. Similarly dirty clothes should not be worn unless their is no alternative.
  • Some things are best avoided – clothes that project the message of being more focused on what comes before or after Mass.
Other than that I can’t see the need for any other “rules”
 
OhMalley said:
It wouldn’t work anyway. I wouldn’t wear a jacket and tie and you couldn’t keep me out of a Catholic parish (“dress code” or not) if I didn’t.

“Belted?” I don’t wear a belt when I wear dress slacks – I wear braces.

While I don’t wear sandals they are MOST appropriate at Mass given their presence in the Bible.

The mantilla is a good one! Just try enforcing that!
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I’m not foreseeing the day when people will be kept out of Catholic churches if they try to enter with their bare toes showing, let alone without a necktie or a belt on their pants, but technically, if a bishop defined a dress code, then I’m thinking that yes, they absolutely could keep you out of church if you didn’t comply with it. They just post people at all the doors who check and give them the authority to deny you entrance if you won’t comply. This would be particularly true if the church supplied the means of compliance.

For instance, synagogues that insist on men having their heads covered have a big box of kippot/yarmulkes (those little hats the men wear at synagogues) available for men who show up without. Certain restaurants have a rack of sports coats in the back, for men who lack them. There are people posted at the doors to enforce the code, just like at St. Peter’s. It is possible to do this and be nice about it.

It would be possible for Catholic churches to have a stock of veils, shawls, jackets, and other assorted “nice clothes” in the back, if it were to be decided that any of these were truly necessary attire. It has been done elsewhere, and could be done in Catholic churches.

Again, I don’t see it happening, but it is possible to do it.
 
I do not own a dress or skirt and have no intention of doing so.
 
EasterJoy said:
I’m not foreseeing the day when people will be kept out of Catholic churches if they try to enter with their bare toes showing, let alone without a necktie or a belt on their pants, but technically, if a bishop defined a dress code, then I’m thinking that yes, they absolutely could keep you out of church if you didn’t comply with it. They just post people at all the doors who check and give them the authority to deny you entrance if you won’t comply. This would be particularly true if the church supplied the means of compliance.

For instance, synagogues that insist on men having their heads covered have a big box of kippot/yarmulkes (those little hats the men wear at synagogues) available for men who show up without. Certain restaurants have a rack of sports coats in the back, for men who lack them. There are people posted at the doors to enforce the code, just like at St. Peter’s. It is possible to do this and be nice about it.

It would be possible for Catholic churches to have a stock of veils, shawls, jackets, and other assorted “nice clothes” in the back, if it were to be decided that any of these were truly necessary attire. It has been done elsewhere, and could be done in Catholic churches.

Again, I don’t see it happening, but it is possible to do it.
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Actually I seriously doubt a bishop could require ties. jackets, etc. And if they could and did, it wouldn’t amount to a hill of beans. The first time a bouncer (and yes in my case it would take at least one bouncer) pulled someone out of a church because they didn’t have a tie or mantilla on, all heck would break loose. I actually think that would garner national attention.
 
EasterJoy said:
I’m not foreseeing the day when people will be kept out of Catholic churches if they try to enter with their bare toes showing, let alone without a necktie or a belt on their pants, but technically, if a bishop defined a dress code, then I’m thinking that yes, they absolutely could keep you out of church if you didn’t comply with it. They just post people at all the doors who check and give them the authority to deny you entrance if you won’t comply. This would be particularly true if the church supplied the means of compliance.

For instance, synagogues that insist on men having their heads covered have a big box of kippot/yarmulkes (those little hats the men wear at synagogues) available for men who show up without. Certain restaurants have a rack of sports coats in the back, for men who lack them. There are people posted at the doors to enforce the code, just like at St. Peter’s. It is possible to do this and be nice about it.

It would be possible for Catholic churches to have a stock of veils, shawls, jackets, and other assorted “nice clothes” in the back, if it were to be decided that any of these were truly necessary attire. It has been done elsewhere, and could be done in Catholic churches.

Again, I don’t see it happening, but it is possible to do it.
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Well yeah, but the title here is “How to dress for Mass”, and not “How the Bishops say we should dress for Mass”… I’m just saying if it were up to me.
 
Years ago I worked for a Catholic newspaper, and we did a sort of “Reader Poll” on how people should dress for Mass. That got a HUGE response and it seemed like everybody had an opinion of some kind.

The number one concern (rightly so in my mind) was simple modesty – women/girls dressing in a way that didn’t become an occasion of sin to the men present, and girls AND boys not wearing shirts, jackets, caps, etc. with potentially offensive designs or slogans on them (rock band logos, advertisements for liquor or bars, gang symbols, etc.) This, I believe, is and should remain the number one priority.

Farther down the list was the question of whether you should always wear “dress” clothes for Mass or if casual attire such as jeans, plain T-shirts or polo shirts, sweatshirts, etc. was OK. Most said “business casual” type attire was OK, and jeans were OK as long as they were clean and intact. Some thought shorts should never be worn to Mass, others said shorts of decent length were OK. Several people objected to flip-flops on the grounds that they make a distracting “flip floppy” noise when the person wearing them walks up to Communion (which is quite true, and I have avoided wearing them ever since for that reason).

My personal rule is to dress as I would for work (I work in a state government office with a business casual dress code). My daughter attends a public school with a uniform-type dress code that permits polo or button-down shirts in specified colors, shorts that are no more than 6" above the crease at the back of the knee, and black, navy blue or khaki slacks or skirts with belts (no denim). So I just have her wear her school clothes to Mass, or a nice dress if she chooses to wear one.

Now some people argue that you should always dress for Mass as you would if you were going to see the pope, or the Queen of England, or the POTUS, or some other earthly dignitary. Although that’s a nice sentiment, I don’t think it’s practical for most people – because for most people, going to see the pope, queen, president, etc. is a once in a lifetime event, while Sunday Mass isn’t. So I don’t think everyone is obliged to wear a suit and tie, or a skirt suit/dress with high heels and pantyhose, to EVERY Sunday Mass, unless they want to.
 
damooster said:
Sweet! Since the Pope is ok with me wearing jeans to St. Peter’s Basilica, I can wear them to any Mass at any other parish? I much prefer jeans than slacks.
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Sandals are clearly OK too! So are hats for men it would seem. It seems that going barefoot is also permitted?
 
Secret_Square said:
Years ago I worked for a Catholic newspaper, and we did a sort of “Reader Poll” on how people should dress for Mass. That got a HUGE response and it seemed like everybody had an opinion of some kind.

The number one concern (rightly so in my mind) was simple modesty – women/girls dressing in a way that didn’t become an occasion of sin to the men present, and girls AND boys not wearing shirts, jackets, caps, etc. with potentially offensive designs or slogans on them (rock band logos, advertisements for liquor or bars, gang symbols, etc.) This, I believe, is and should remain the number one priority.

Farther down the list was the question of whether you should always wear “dress” clothes for Mass or if casual attire such as jeans, plain T-shirts or polo shirts, sweatshirts, etc. was OK. Most said “business casual” type attire was OK, and jeans were OK as long as they were clean and intact. Some thought shorts should never be worn to Mass, others said shorts of decent length were OK. **Several people objected to flip-flops on the grounds that they make a distracting “flip floppy” noise when the person wearing them walks up to Communion (which is quite true, and I have avoided wearing them ever since for that reason).
**
My personal rule is to dress as I would for work (I work in a state government office with a business casual dress code). My daughter attends a public school with a uniform-type dress code that permits polo or button-down shirts in specified colors, shorts that are no more than 6" above the crease at the back of the knee, and black, navy blue or khaki slacks or skirts with belts (no denim). So I just have her wear her school clothes to Mass, or a nice dress if she chooses to wear one.

Now some people argue that you should always dress for Mass as you would if you were going to see the pope, or the Queen of England, or the POTUS, or some other earthly dignitary. Although that’s a nice sentiment, I don’t think it’s practical for most people – because for most people, going to see the pope, queen, president, etc. is a once in a lifetime event, while Sunday Mass isn’t. So I don’t think everyone is obliged to wear a suit and tie, or a skirt suit/dress with high heels and pantyhose, to EVERY Sunday Mass, unless they want to.
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Flip flops are a lot quieter than a pair heels walking down the aisle of a church. Most older churches have wood or tile flooring and heels can be very loud, especially if the church has good acoustics. 😃 **CLIICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK, CLICK
** If their only objection to flip flops is because of there noise than I would think they would have more objection to a pair of heels than the flip flops.
 
stevusmagnus said:
The Archdiocese of Manila seems to have figured it out. Now we just need to copy this in American parishes…[

http://www.rcam.org/liturgical_news/proper_attire.htm](http://www.rcam.org/liturgical_news/proper_attire.htm)

http://www.rcam.org/liturgical_news/proper_attire_during_mass.JPG
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Nice article.

I’ve heard also that the Bishop in Manila has said that only boys will be admitted as altar servers. Since they want to cultivate a culture of serving at mass and love for it, for boys who are potentially to be priests. This is good.

I mean…I haven’t seen a nun serve in the altar before during mass…
 
I would dress my Sunday Best for the Lord. Enuff said.

If you guys think that wearing sandals, flip-flops, spaghetti-strapped shirts, etc is OK and justify it by saying…“it’s the internals that matters most…” then go ahead…

Just remember the mass is heaven touching down on earth… if Angels and saints are in robes during this marriage supper of the lamb…who do you think you are to dress up inappropriately? sinner.
 
I am the woman sitting in front of you at Mass. I only started attending church two months ago. I have two pairs of dress slacks and four shirts that go with them. I can only afford to go to the laundry mat every two weeks when I have two loads of wash (they fit into one industrial dryer together.) I work in an Italian resturant where I have to serve sometimes and washing them out by hand is just not an option, so sometimes I have no slacks to wear. Before Mass I agonized for an hour over which pair of jeans were least tight fitting and wore them with a loose fitting, layered top. Please spare a prayer for my tightly clad behind; thank God that I am there and ask that I receive his grace and grow in holiness. I’ll be doing the same.🙂
 
nilofc said:
Nice article.

I’ve heard also that the Bishop in Manila has said that only boys will be admitted as altar servers. Since they want to cultivate a culture of serving at mass and love for it, for boys who are potentially to be priests. This is good.

I mean…I haven’t seen a nun serve in the altar before during mass…
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So if it’s ok to wear jeans to St. Peter’s Basilica, and in Manila, why is there such a stink on these forums about people wearing jeans? I’m really not trying to be argumentative, and this is a general question (not pointed at you nilofc). But there’s proof here that jeans are ok and none of the traditionalists have really attempted to refute the dress codes at St. Peter’s and in Manila.

I much prefer to wear jeans personally but get a guilty feeling because of people insisting that you have to wear your best clothes.
 
damooster said:
So if it’s ok to wear jeans to St. Peter’s Basilica, and in Manila, why is there such a stink on these forums about people wearing jeans? I’m really not trying to be argumentative, and this is a general question (not pointed at you nilofc). But there’s proof here that jeans are ok and none of the traditionalists have really attempted to refute the dress codes at St. Peter’s and in Manila.

I much prefer to wear jeans personally but get a guilty feeling because of people insisting that you have to wear your best clothes.
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I wouldn’t worry about it. 🙂 What always cracks me up is when they say “you wouldn’t go to a wedding in jeans.” Out here you most certainly would go to a wedding in jeans. In fact at our wedding we had a lot of people, the men mainly, in jeans. They were clean, nice looking jeans. So it always makes me smile when I see that comment because yes, there are places were people do go to big functions in jeans. 😉
 
RedSoxWife said:
We attend Mass at least twice a week and talk with everyone afterwards and I’ve never heard anyone discuss dress.

However I was distracted at tonight’s Confirmation Mass, which was said by our Bishop (a big deal for a small parish) by many of the barely clad girls and women (most of the men were in suits despite the heat). One of the girls who was confirmed was in a tank top and mini skirt!

I agree with you that dress should be modest. I think that’s the problem most people have with casual dress. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with getting dressed up to go worship God.
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You have it right Red Sox !
Thanks for stating it so plainly. As a guy, I find myself often wanting to tell the gals at Mass to realize they are at Mass, not the beach. But of course I never have.
I wish some of the ladies at our parish would address this with the girls, they need some guidance/advice.

I realize I have my part in this as well, to be pure in thought.
I am doing MUCH better in this respect lately, since I have been under the guidance of Our Lady. She has been an unbelievable source of strength for me, and I feel very blessed that her prayers have helped me realize the truth of what the song says:
“Blessed are you, among women. Blessed in turn, all women too…”

Not all men are so lucky, please consider their need for sanctity at the Holy Mass. Ladies, please, you can better address this to others of the fair sex than we can.

Thank you !
+Peace,
Bob
No God, No Peace .
Know God, Know Peace .
 
I think a simple announcement from the pulpit reminding people how to dress in warm weather is really all it takes. 🙂 And then putting the dress code in the bulletin, too.
 
nilofc said:
I would dress my Sunday Best for the Lord. Enuff said.

If you guys think that wearing sandals, flip-flops, spaghetti-strapped shirts, etc is OK and justify it by saying…“it’s the internals that matters most…” then go ahead…

Just remember the mass is heaven touching down on earth… if Angels and saints are in robes during this marriage supper of the lamb…who do you think you are to dress up inappropriately? sinner.
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There is nothing wrong with wearing sandals. Like any other foot covering it depends on what sort of sandals.
 
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