Jeans...at mass?

[ridesawhitehors]

Yes, jeans are very appropriate at mass for men or women if clean, modest, and neat.
Add to this - clothing should reflect the virtue of humility also. This is a reason I believe denim jeans are MOST appropriate for mass, because it is the dress of the common people.
We should not be sucked in to the culture of materialism. And I think that the clothing competition at church is out of line with the virtue of humility. No, I am not going for a Fortune 500 job interview when I go to Mass… I am however going to meet with the King of the Universe. He will not be impressed with my brand name clothes. They are ALL rags to Him who is clothed in magisty.

 

[cargopilot]

I love jeans and wear them most of the time. I also have some very nice suits.

But I have a kind of ‘uniform’ for Mass. It’s the only thing I wear to Mass, and I only wear it to Mass. It was not expensive and it’s not flashy. It doesn’t attract attention. Some have called it my ‘Blues Brothers’ suit. I bought it long ago at Penny’s.

It is a black jacket, black pants, a white shirt and a tie. I will wear a variety of ties. It will work in any Church I enter. It isn’t too show-offish in a poorer parish and it isn’t too bad for a rich parish, but it is respectful and dignified. Almost anyone can afford a similar suit, and when worn only for Mass, it’ll last for years.

The only place I’ve ever felt a little over-dressed is at the so-called LifeTeen Mass, where anything goes. That’s where I was called a ‘Blues Brother’. Funny thing, though. Some of the kids started showing up in similar threads.

Men’s dress is easy. What would be a good, solid ‘Mass uniform’ for a female? One that would be affordable by nearly anyone, last for years, would ‘work’ in any parish and keep Mary as the model?

I suggested to my wife that she could wear her old school uniform with a chapel veil and she hit me with a book. Ouch!

 

[ddimitro]

cargopilot:

Men’s dress is easy. What would be a good, solid ‘Mass uniform’ for a female? One that would be affordable by nearly anyone, last for years, would ‘work’ in any parish and keep Mary as the model?

I suggested to my wife that she could wear her old school uniform with a chapel veil and she hit me with a book. Ouch!

Excellent point–Mary as a model for ladies. Mary would not wear jeans to Mass-period. Let’s get back to the modesty that there has been-overall- the entire history of the church save the past 30 years.

 

[ridesawhitehors]

ddimitro:

Excellent point–Mary as a model for ladies. Mary would not wear jeans to Mass-period. Let’s get back to the modesty that there has been-overall- the entire history of the church save the past 30 years.

Our Lady was a poor peasant girl, who could most likely not afford designer clothes. And likely only had a couple changes of clothing.
You would hardly see western people today dressing in the contemporary style of 1st century Jewish girls - but the theme of humility, modesty, and poverty should remain the theme.
In my opinion, blue jeans can entirely fall into this category.

 

[dhgray]

I scanned this thread, so please forgive me if this has already been stated:

NO smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_2_44.gif
you are in the House of the Lord.

No jeans, no t-shirts, to baseball (or other sport) uniforms. I like to wear jeans too, but I do not wear them to work either.

 

[cargopilot]

ridesawhitehors:

You would hardly see western people today dressing in the contemporary style of 1st century Jewish girls - but the theme of humility, modesty, and poverty should remain the theme.
In my opinion, blue jeans can entirely fall into this category.

Yeah, but when today’s jeans are typically worn tight and with the low-rise cut that is so popular today, they are, well, ooh-la-la! Every look is an occasion of sin.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

There are jeans and there are jeans. Personally, I would rather see a nice pair of jeans as church attire than the pair of pants I saw a woman wearing this Saturday (not in church) – they were so low-cut, that another quarter inch lower, and they would have been illegal, and they were burst-sausage-casing skin tight. Given a choice between those pants and jeans, I would choose jeans.

Personally, I never wear jeans anywhere, because I just don’t find them comfortable. Sometimes I wear pants to church, and sometimes skirts (tending towards skirts lately), but all my clothes are extremely modest, in every sense of the word. I just don’t think fancy-schmancy clothing goes very well with my Franciscan Tau! (Side note – since I was professed, and now always wear the Tau, I can no longer wear jewelry – I just feel stupid with “bling-bling” hanging off me ).

In general, I find the “fashion parade” thing to be very pretentious, ostentatious, and off-putting. Maybe the intended message is “I wear my best for God”, but it often comes over as “Look at how much money I spend on my clothes.” To really give your best to God, buy simpler and cheaper clothing, and use the money saved to help repair the church building, or to serve the poor. Just my two cents.

 

[chicago]

cargopilot:

I suggested to my wife that she could wear her old school uniform with a chapel veil and she hit me with a book. Ouch!

Yeah, cuz school girl uniforms on adult women are sooooo modest and never raise eirre thoughts of kinkyness. Sure, that’s what I’d tell my wife to wear to Mass, too.

 

[ridesawhitehors]

cargopilot:

Yeah, but when today’s jeans are typically worn tight and with the low-rise cut that is so popular today, they are, well, ooh-la-la! Every look is an occasion of sin.

So can any other form of clothing, including dresses, skirts, and suits. That is why I said humility, modesty and poverty should be the rule - and jeans can be all that and more.
So I don’t see a valid arguement against jeans that doesn’t reflect someones materialistic ideals that are formed by the popular culture.
I think those opposed to jeans are trying to suggest that some kind of fashionable dress code is pre-requisite to reverence. I suggest that modest jeans are a sign of humility and poverty. I am more put off by people who dress to the nines at mass, trying to impress each other rather then God.

 

[Lucania]

ridesawhitehors:

So can any other form of clothing, including dresses, skirts, and suits. That is why I said humility, modesty and poverty should be the rule - and jeans can be all that and more.
So I don’t see a valid arguement against jeans that doesn’t reflect someones materialistic ideals that are formed by the popular culture.
I think those opposed to jeans are trying to suggest that some kind of fashionable dress code is pre-requisite to reverence. I suggest that modest jeans are a sign of humility and poverty. I am more put off by people who dress to the nines at mass, trying to impress each other rather then God.

You assume that people “dressed to the nines” as you put it are only there to impress each other? In your previous posts you have used terms as “clothing competition”, “brand name clothes” “materialism” in your pitch for jeans at Mass. Whether you wear them or not is immaterial to me, it is your choice, but I haven’t seen anything in the posts against jeans that indicates they(we) say you must dress to impressOTHERS, wear designer brand clothes, are in a clothes competition, or are materialistic people.
I maintain that it is all about respect, decency, immodesty and you CAN dress that way without spending alot of $ ,being a snob or being materialistic. I don’t presume to think that all people that wear jeans to Mass are slobs, I don’t think it is fair to think that those of us who don’t are phony and are there to impress. That is what you imply with your comments. Common people dress up for Church too, I’ve been doing it all my life!

 

[cargopilot]

Lucania:

Common people dress up for Church too, I’ve been doing it all my life!

Bravo, Lucania!

My ‘Dragnet’ suit was about $100.00, and I’ve been wearing it to mass now for about 10 years. That’s at least 600 wearings, which comes to about 16 cents per wearing, and I’m dressed just fine for ‘supper’.

 

[msaenz]

I say no. WHY?

This is one small way in which I try to tell Jesus I love him.

PLEASE do not think that I am saying that people who wear jeans don’t love him…OF COURSE NOT!

I am merely trying to say that it is a little act of Love that I try to practice with my family.

The following is taken from my children’s book entitled:
Little acts of Grace (great book for kids).

"Would you wear shorts and a tee shirt to go see a King?
That would be silly!
How do you dress to go see Christ the King?
It would be such a nice little thing if we made sure our clothes were clean, comfortable and modest when we visit Our Lord"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
And that would include jeans for me.

In Christ,
Michelle

 

[ridesawhitehors]

You assume that people “dressed to the nines” as you put it are only there to impress each other?

You have applied this assumption to me falsely. I merely said “We should not be sucked in to the culture of materialism. And I think that a clothing competition at church is out of line with the virtue of humility.”
There are catholics who would do well to practice the virtue of poverty and simplicity in dress. These same catholics would impose a dress code on the faithful, and assign the label of slob, and the sin of sloth to those who don’t join in on the idea of dressing up for mass.

In your previous posts you have used terms as “clothing competition”, “brand name clothes” “materialism” in your pitch for jeans at Mass. Whether you wear them or not is immaterial to me, it is your choice, but I haven’t seen anything in the posts against jeans that indicates they(we) say you must dress to impressOTHERS, wear designer brand clothes, are in a clothes competition, or are materialistic people.

FONT=Comic Sans MS]Oh, I think you should read again. There was one post here that has a strong tone of superiority regarding those of us who choose the popular blue fabric.

I maintain that it is all about respect, decency, immodesty and you CAN dress that way without spending alot of $ ,being a snob or being materialistic.

I agree with you.

I don’t presume to think that all people that wear jeans to Mass are slobs, I don’t think it is fair to think that those of us who don’t are phony and are there to impress. That is what you imply with your comments.

This is a false characterization of what I said again. I didn’t paint with that broad a brush. But I will with all confidence stand behind what I have said and further maintain that there are indeed those members among our pews that place too high a view on what you wear. And I think that is shallow and unchristian. My opinion!

Common people dress up for Church too, I’ve been doing it all my life!

Good for you. I do too occasionally. I just happen to feel that it is distracting to the Mass to be dressed up - (not to mention the make-up, cologne, and perfume).
If I were to dress up it would cause a distraction. My priest would give me a hard time probably, and most of my friends would make a big deal about it. I prefer the humble, modest, reliable denim. I think St. Francis would too.

 

[Penitent]

I don’t wear to jeans to Sunday Mass and try to show as much reverence in my appearance and demeanor as possible, especially since Sundays are when the children are there and it’s good to set an example for them.

That being said, I go to daily Mass. I wear jeans. I’m dressed for my work day, and I don’t have seven dress outfits…if I have the choice of dressing in jeans AND attending daily Mass, or having to MISS daily Mass because I can’t wear jeans, well gee, guess which one I’m going to pick…I’m goin’ to Mass.

Penitent

 

[Lucania]

ridesawhitehors:

You have applied this assumption to me falsely. I merely said “We should not be sucked in to the culture of materialism. And I think that a clothing competition at church is out of line with the virtue of humility.”
There are catholics who would do well to practice the virtue of poverty and simplicity in dress. These same catholics would impose a dress code on the faithful, and assign the label of slob, and the sin of sloth to those who don’t join in on the idea of dressing up for mass.

FONT=Comic Sans MS]Oh, I think you should read again. There was one post here that has a strong tone of superiority regarding those of us who choose the popular blue fabric.

I agree with you.

This is a false characterization of what I said again. I didn’t paint with that broad a brush. But I will with all confidence stand behind what I have said and further maintain that there are indeed those members among our pews that place too high a view on what you wear. And I think that is shallow and unchristian. My opinion!

Good for you. I do too occasionally. I just happen to feel that it is distracting to the Mass to be dressed up - (not to mention the make-up, cologne, and perfume).
If I were to dress up it would cause a distraction. My priest would give me a hard time probably, and most of my friends would make a big deal about it. I prefer the humble, modest, reliable denim. I think St. Francis would too.

Where did I apply an assumption to you falsley? Read Post #67 where you say"I am more put off by people who dress to the nines at Mass trying to impress each other rather than God." Those are your words. So my question is how can you look at someone being dressed up and know what is their intent, what is in their heart? What makes you know that they are there to impress each other rather than God? I’d like to know how you can do that? Gee, when I see people at Mass no matter what they’re wearing, I don’t think about what their motive is for being there, I just figure they are there to worship GOD like I am. When I see someone in jeans, I don’t think their intentions are more insincere than mine are or vice-versa. I don’t agree that dressing up is a distraction. I find it strange that your Priest would give you a hard time, your friends would make a big deal about you dressing up. And now you presume to think that St. Francis would prefer the “humble, reliable denim” as well! I too feel humble in my black suit, or my navy skirt with white blouse and navy cardigan.This thread is an opinion.There is no right or wrong answer. I was raised that you dressed in your Sunday Best to go to Church, not jeans or “play clothes.” That dosen’t mean I will judge or assume anyones reasons for being in Church based on their attire. That would be pretentious and not Christian-like in my humble opinion. By the way I have never seen what you referred to as a clothing competition of any kind at my Church.
Peace.

 

[Trick]

YES

As long as they are modest, all are welcome to give glory and praise to Jesus in the Mass.

I try personally to dress up more .

But I certainly try not to look down on anyone that comes to Mass.

Trick

 

[ridesawhitehors]

Lucania:

ridesawhitehors:

So my question is how can you look at someone being dressed up and know what is their intent, what is in their heart What makes you know that they are there to impress each other rather than God? I’d like to know how you can do that?

I don’t know, call it a gift. I am a pretty good read of people.

Gee, when I see people at Mass no matter what they’re wearing, I don’t think about what their motive is for being there, I just figure they are there to worship GOD like I am. When I see someone in jeans, I don’t think their intentions are more insincere than mine are or vice-versa. I don’t agree that dressing up is a distraction.

Please feel comfortable disagreeing with me, I am perfectly comfortable with it.

I find it strange that your Priest would give you a hard time, your friends would make a big deal about you dressing up.

Oh they would! I’m sure you probably live in a much more civilized church community then me out here in the wild west. My point is - that I don’t like to draw attention to myself by dressing up. If I did - everyone would point it out, and I would be incredibly uncomfortable with it.

And now you presume to think that St. Francis would prefer the “humble, reliable denim” as well! I

Yes, I do. I think that he and many saints including the Fatima seers - would support very plain, humble clothing, jeans included.

I was raised that you dressed in your Sunday Best to go to Church, **not jeans or “play clothes.” **

That dosen’t mean I will judge or assume anyones reasons for being in Church based on their attire.
Right…no judgement being passed THERE Lucania

Peace

Hardly feels like that is what you are extending to me, but thanks anyway, and same to you.

 

[Lucania]

ridesawhitehors:

Lucania:

ridesawhitehors:

I don’t know, call it a gift. I am a pretty good read of people.

Are you serious? I have a good read of people myself but to claim you know the intent of someones heart by their clothing? Their inner motives? The reason they dress up for church? I mean if a young teenage girl comes to Mass dressed with her midriff or breasts showing you could pretty much say that she dosen’t have any guidance at home or she has bad judgement or just dosen’t care or even know better. But how do you read people who wear jeans or dress up in a suit for Mass? You can’t and I for one don’t pretend to or would want to. It is not for any of us to judge people by what they wear to Church.

Please feel comfortable disagreeing with me, I am perfectly comfortable with it.

I don’t have a problem with it. I’m just trying to understand why you have made the comments about people dressing up for Church with such negativity and making judgements in general about them.

Oh they would! I’m sure you probably live in a much more civilized church community then me out here in the wild west. My point is - that I don’t like to draw attention to myself by dressing up. If I did - everyone would point it out, and I would be incredibly uncomfortable with it.

I don’t make a habit out of pointing out my friends clothing at Church. Do you mean they would tease you or ridicule you by that statement?Seriously, I don’t understand why they would point out what you are wearing .

Yes, I do. I think that he and many saints including the Fatima seers - would support very plain, humble clothing, jeans included.

That’s your opinion and you’re entitled to it. Mine is that they most likely wouldn’t care what was worn as long as it was respectful.

Right…no judgement being passed THERE Lucania

That’s where you’re wrong because I was simply stating that I was raised to wear your Sunday Best which by the way was VERY humble as I was poor monetary -wise growing up but yet I still had A (meaning ONE)dress for Church and a few for play/school. There was still a difference in what we wore to Church even though I didn’t have much. So I was not casting any judgements by that comment.

Hardly feels like that is what you are extending to me, but thanks anyway, and same to you.

If I say Peace to you , I mean it. Just because I asked you to explain what I read in your posts to be unfair judgements, dosen’t mean I have anything personal against you. I’m just trying to understand where you are coming from. I don’t think this is getting anywhere so I’ll just say Peace Be With You.
Lucania

 

[kamz]

rcn:

Threads on “dress standards” never go anywhere.

For every person who posts about “Sunday best”, there is another to say “God doesn’t care what I’m wearing”.

Someone will say “jeans are inappropriate”, and someone else will say they’re fine.

And every litany of clothes that are deemed improper will be followed up by a request to mind your own business and stop keeping a tally of who’s wearing what.

This is doomed to argue around in circles. There is simply no right or wrong answer.

I’m with you, this is going to go nowhere, dress code for mass questions have been started and closed, um, about 9 or 10 times in the last year alone as everyone feels different and gets very touchy and heated over this…move on, I guarantee this too will get closed…people get their feelings crunched on this subject…its not worth it…remember, we are all Christians so lets be mindful of that, we all have our differing opinions and thats o.k.

 

[Lucania]

kamz:

I’m with you, this is going to go nowhere, dress code for mass questions have been started and closed, um, about 9 or 10 times in the last year alone as everyone feels different and gets very touchy and heated over this…move on, I guarantee this too will get closed…people get their feelings crunched on this subject…its not worth it…remember, we are all Christians so lets be mindful of that, we all have our differing opinions and thats o.k.

I agree that this topic is going nowhere. It’s been talked to death and I let myself get right in there, again:banghead: ! It is an opinion like alot of topics on this forum. The problem is when some make judgements on those with the opposite opinion. Only God knows what is in someones elses heart, not us. So I will say ciao to the dress code/ dress up/down for Mass
Peace to all who participated in this.