Mass dress code

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I find myself agreeing with many of the posters who feel that one should make the effort to wear “special occasion” -type clothes to Mass. Coming back to the church only recently, I was a little surprised that so many wear faded jeans and golf shorts to Mass. I had heard the stories, but finally saw it for myself.

I live near Miami, Florida and it’s a place with 90% humidity in the summer with temperatures at 90+ degrees Fahrenheit. I’m accustomed to these conditions, as I was born here but regardless of the heat outside, I always wear khaki pants and a button-up shirt. I look dressy but not ostentatious. I never look down on anyone who wears shorts or jeans, but I was raised to dress up for Mass and I feel that I am honoring not just God and the church, but my grandparents, who instilled me with my values. Besides, down here in Florida so many people don’t dress up for anything anymore, there should at least be one occasion that people make an effort to break from their casual dress routine.
 
Not all that long ago men wore suits and women wore dresses . Few if any churches had AC. Certain parts of the country were hot then too. You should dress better for Mass than you do for anything else. I am not talking about when you are camping, etc. If you go from home to church and back to home you should be dressed.
 
There needs to be a dress code for Mass and we need dress code police to enforce the law!

Today in church I saw a young man wearing a t-shirt with an obscene logo on his back! If I wrote what was said I would be suspended!!!:eek: I can say the t-shirt was an advertisement for Jacques Itch’s Pool House! You don’t want to know rest of the logo.

There was a young woman there too who needed to be escorted out!!! Her underwear ( thong ) was not covered.:bigyikes: Unfortunately she was a graduating senior who was upfront for recognition today. 😦

ENOUGH!:mad:
 
If the Vatican disallows certain attire, I should think that would be a good guideline, if not an absolute rule. My family doesn’t necessarily wear fancy clothes to church, but shorts and T-shirts with jargon are out as are jeans. The “God knows what I look like” argument doesn’t cut it; he also knows what you’ve got in your closet. If you are genuinely too poor to afford appropriate clothes for mass, that’s one thing and no offense at all. Otherwise, not dressing yourself appropriately in his presence might not be the worst thing to do, but it is an offense. Having said that, pray for the priests who eschew appropriate garb under their white albs and wear colorful, beachy T-shirts with sayings on that that show through (no chasuble for these types).
 
Should I wear a suit to Mass every week? I’d sure like to. Only two men wore suits at Mass this morning, and they are definitely in the minority. I feel that I should wear my best clothes to Mass. I see entire families wearing jeans and there’s one guy who wears the same white shorts and faded black T-shirt every week, and he sits up front! Unfortunately, I actually believe–being a new parishoner and all-- that I might be viewed as “Out of Place” or a show off for dressing in my “Sunday Best.” (Does anyone remember that expression?) What should I do? Currently, I wear a short-sleeve, button-up shirt, khakis and nice shoes, but I feel that I may be overdoing dressing up for Church…is that even possible?
 
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Steve-o:
Should I wear a suit to Mass every week? I’d sure like to. Only two men wore suits at Mass this morning, and they are definitely in the minority. I feel that I should wear my best clothes to Mass. I see entire families wearing jeans and there’s one guy who wears the same white shorts and faded black T-shirt every week, and he sits up front! Unfortunately, I actually believe–being a new parishoner and all-- that I might be viewed as “Out of Place” or a show off for dressing in my “Sunday Best.” (Does anyone remember that expression?) What should I do? Currently, I wear a short-sleeve, button-up shirt, khakis and nice shoes, but I feel that I may be overdoing dressing up for Church…is that even possible?
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I think your dress sounds fine; sounds a lot like what my husband wears. in a day when so many dress down, it IS possible to seem to call attention to oneself by overdoing the dress up. (i.e. a woman in an evening gown at a regular Sunday mass would be an example).

What I’d really like to see is for the people who are serving in a public role at Mass --the lectors, the ushers, EMHC to be a little more mindful of their dress. They are examples to others because they are more visible than the rest of us. This morning a man in a wild Hawaiian print shirt and shorts escorted the Blessed Sacrament back to the chapel where the tabernacle is located. If these folks wore suits/dress clothes, maybe some people would follow. Most of us try to conform to whatever the expectation is; obviously there isn’t any expectation in my parish (which is far from impoverished in case that thought comes to mind).

OT but, the standard of dress has deteriorated in a lot of venues, not only church. That is why we have these issues in the first place. I feel a little bad for people out in an expensive restaurant in dressy clothes–obviously there to celebrate one milestone or another only to find the majority of people there in jeans or worse…It does detract a little from the ambience.
 
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Catholic90:
No armless blouses??? Why not???:confused:

I’m sorry, but I fail to see how wearing a sleeveless blouse to church is inappropriate. :nope: Same with tasteful sandals. Or a nice skort, skirt, or dressy pair of shorts. My favorite summer church outfits consist of colorful skorts, sleeveless blouses, and my sandals.:hmmm: This is true of nearly everyone who attends mass here in the summer. And if one travels “up north” to the lakes and cabins, one will find mass participants in camping clothes (tshirts, shorts, flip flops, etc), as many of them are vacationing at the lakes, camping, etc.
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Because we are our brother’s keeper. We are responsible not to be leading others to sin. We are not supposed to wear anything that shows skin. Long skirts and light shirts can be cool without being immodest. Flip flop should never be in church. They are loud and for casual dress. I don’t understand why you would not like to be dreesed in your best before your Lord. :confused: This really shouldn’t be an issue.
 
There is only one thing that is bugging me as of late. At first I was okay but then I hear more and more and it starts to aggravate me. I always hear about womens modesty and this is fine. It is good for a woman to be modest, but they don’t even say about male modesty!

EWTN had a sermon about modesty and he went on to say about what is appropriate for a woman to wear, but he never even said about what is appropriate for a man to wear. I don’t know, maybe the guidelines apply to both men and woman, but he did not indicate this.

I don’t mean to sound sexist here and I’m not saying women should be allowed to wear whatever, I’m just saying I’m getting kinda tired of it being on the woman only. It makes me so self-aware to the point I am nervous to go. It’s like all the attention is on the women and the men could come in wearing a coat of poop and no one would notice.
 
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Shinobu:
There is only one thing that is bugging me as of late. At first I was okay but then I hear more and more and it starts to aggravate me. I always hear about womens modesty and this is fine. It is good for a woman to be modest, but they don’t even say about male modesty!

EWTN had a sermon about modesty and he went on to say about what is appropriate for a woman to wear, but he never even said about what is appropriate for a man to wear. I don’t know, maybe the guidelines apply to both men and woman, but he did not indicate this.

I don’t mean to sound sexist here and I’m not saying women should be allowed to wear whatever, I’m just saying I’m getting kinda tired of it being on the woman only. It makes me so self-aware to the point I am nervous to go. It’s like all the attention is on the women and the men could come in wearing a coat of poop and no one would notice.
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I would have to tell you, from a woman’s perspective, if a man were to come in to church dressed in a low cut top and shorts, I don’t think it would be very much of a problem for the priest to not have impure thoughts (unless, of course he was homosexual). It would be a distraction for everyone. But none of us would really have to worry about acting immorally because of it. The problem is that I see nice looking women that come to church with cleavage showing and some of their underwear. That is definitly not appropriate for church. We do need to be considerate of our priests who are men and are still attracted to women. They have taken a vow of celibacy to help us. This shouldn’t make you so nervous that you don’t want to go. Just be concious of what you wear. And, by no means, am I saying that men do not have a responsibility to be modest as well. They are standing before God as well. 👍
 
Some priest explained, that when girl is wearing some skimpy clothes, then men can’t concentrate on Jesus Christ and Mass, because they’re diffused by the attractive girls;)__________________
YIS Maxymilian

Seems to me that men should be responsible for their own sexual responses, and should not be blaming women…There are all sorts of “distractions” at Mass…kids, random thoughts, daydreaming, pretty women…handsome men…

None of us exempt from being distracted by one thing or another…But I am getting tired of women being held responsible for the behavior or thougts of men.

This is not to say that I approve of immodest dress at Mass…Our parish is quite casual, and it is common for women to wear everything from pretty long dresses/skirts to capri pants…Some where short skirts, which I find inappropriate, and I not like to see either men or women dressed in shorts for an indoor Mass.

Dress codes are nice, because then you KNOW what is expected…But…You have to be careful of turning away a soul who is longing for Jesus…Who is seeking a church home that will be welcoming. Let’s not be so quick to judge others based on their apperal. I know I have had to work on this, myself…I still remember when I discovered that I was just about the only woman in church who was not wearing some form of capri pants. I generally wear long skirts, but will sometimes wear a decent pair of slacks with sandals…especially if I have a grandchild or two in tow…
 
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Walburga:
There was a time in Europe when it was posted outside the churches, like on the door, that sleeveless shirts were not acceptable, nor shorts and I can’t remember what else. I don’t think it is like that anymore though, Europe falling away as it is…I think this is where the tradition may have come from. But maybe I’m totally wrong and I don’t remember correctly.
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I have just returned from Rome, and a strict dress code is most certainly still in effect.

If you are going into St. Peter’s and are not appropriately dressed, you simply will not be allowed in. Anyone with clothing above the knee (shorts or skirts) or sleeveless tops are turned away. Many people know this already, and bring something to wear over their sleeveless tops. Others who prefer to wear shorts use the ones that can convert into long pants with zippered extensions. Nearby vendors sell paper or other cheap pants (Three Euros for a long pants).

Other churches do not have the type of security that St. Peter’s has, but there are personnel who handle situations - for example, my son witnessed a young woman who was dressed inappropriately being escorted out of St. John Lattern by a security guard.

All the excuses in the world don’t make it appropriate to wear clothing suitable for the beach, the park, or other recreational site suitable for the House of God.

And, we are our brothers’ keepers - it is well established that men are very easily visually stimulated. It is only just not to put temptation in their way, particularly when they should be praying.
 
I believe you ought to dress as though you were actually dining with Christ the King, cuz you are. Would you dress casually for something so solemn? Depending upon the particular cultural norms, you can, you can dress in shorts without looking like you just stopped by from the beach. Dress as though you understand the solemnity of the Divine Liturgy, and dress so you do not detract from that solemnity.
 
vicia3:
Because we are our brother’s keeper. We are responsible not to be leading others to sin. We are not supposed to wear anything that shows skin. Long skirts and light shirts can be cool without being immodest. Flip flop should never be in church. They are loud and for casual dress. I don’t understand why you would not like to be dreesed in your best before your Lord. :confused: This really shouldn’t be an issue.
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Come on people- do you wish to be dressed in good duds or good deeds? More perfect is to have both, but good deeds cover a lot of skin for the sleeveless.
 
Not only are people inappropriately attired for Mass, some come to the Adoration Chapel in tank tops and shorts. I was sitting next to a woman in the Adoration Chapel who had shorts (not short shorts) on and she was rubbing her legs. :o There were men sitting all around her, and one of the priests came in. Our Adoration Chapel is air-conditioned, so there really is no excuse for that type of clothing. You are not going to die of heat exhaustion anyway. I wanted to ask her if she would have an audience with Pope Benedict dressed like that. This morning a young girl was helping her Dad pour coffee at the “Coffee and Doughnut” Sunday at church, and she had definite cleavage, you couldn’t miss it. The priest has to speak up about this, or all is lost.

Why is the argument that to have them there is better than not to have them there. I don’t agree. PUT SOME CLOTHES ON, then come to church.
 
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Shinobu:
There is only one thing that is bugging me as of late. At first I was okay but then I hear more and more and it starts to aggravate me. I always hear about womens modesty and this is fine. It is good for a woman to be modest, but they don’t even say about male modesty!

EWTN had a sermon about modesty and he went on to say about what is appropriate for a woman to wear, but he never even said about what is appropriate for a man to wear. I don’t know, maybe the guidelines apply to both men and woman, but he did not indicate this.

I don’t mean to sound sexist here and I’m not saying women should be allowed to wear whatever, I’m just saying I’m getting kinda tired of it being on the woman only. It makes me so self-aware to the point I am nervous to go. It’s like all the attention is on the women and the men could come in wearing a coat of poop and no one would notice.
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I agree completely with you, men can be just as distracting as some of the women. Modesty and decorum pertain to both sexes, I for one am sick and tired of seeing men in their tank tops and shorts dressed for a day of fishing or softball and beer with the guys. Please, can’t everyone just get their act together???
 
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Steve-o:
Should I wear a suit to Mass every week? I’d sure like to. Only two men wore suits at Mass this morning, and they are definitely in the minority. I feel that I should wear my best clothes to Mass. I see entire families wearing jeans and there’s one guy who wears the same white shorts and faded black T-shirt every week, and he sits up front! Unfortunately, I actually believe–being a new parishoner and all-- that I might be viewed as “Out of Place” or a show off for dressing in my “Sunday Best.” (Does anyone remember that expression?) What should I do? Currently, I wear a short-sleeve, button-up shirt, khakis and nice shoes, but I feel that I may be overdoing dressing up for Church…is that even possible?
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Steve-o,
I dress myself and my 4 children up for mass every week. We are surrounded by jeans and shorts, and logo-tees. Some women/girls in sundresses, and some nice older couples all dresses up. My friends have commented about us always looking “so nice”, and the priest asks my girls all the time if they are wearing “Easter” or “Christmas” or “Wedding” clothes. No way! they are always dresses up! I don’t want us to be a distraction to those around us, but I was raised to be dressed up for mass, and I can’t allw myself to conform to a disrespect of Jesus for the comfort of some peoples consiousness that says their jean shorts are “ok”. So, if you feel called to wear a suit, do it! And offer any awkwardness you feel to Jesus for the disrespect given to Him by those who refuse to show Him that same respect. 😃
 
For the most part, if I’m not participating in Mass,I dress comfortable for Mass. Shorts, t shirt, jeans, whatever I feel like wearing. God is my best friend, and my earthly best friend doesn’t care how I dress when we’re together, so why could God be any more judgmental about my clothing than him?
 
The key is “modestly dressed”, not all dressed up.

My pastor recently took us to task and my parish is old, not air-conditioned. Being a traditional parish, he was wound tightly up his neck in vestments in a way I have not seen before coming here.

Well, at the end of his homily on a 90-something degree day, he started out softly.

*“Please remember that when you come to church you should do so dressed modestly. This means, no shorts, no sleeveless tops, tank tops, bare midriffs and the like. It is also preferrable that you do not wear tennis shoes and T-Shirts to Sunday Mass.” *

Then, he perked up, getting a little more perky,

“If any one of you out there feels that you cannot find something modest to wear that is cool enough, then I ask you to please look up here at the layers of vestments I am wearing. I challenge anyone to say they are hotter than me!”

Then, he got as animated as I had ever seen him in church, as he pointed to the tabernacle and said something to this effect:

You are not hear to make some kind of fashion statement or to sit in comfort for that matter, you are here for Him! This is a sacrifice, His sacrifice and it would be good if you thought of that when selecting your attire.

I say, right on Father. In fact, he nailed me because I was just thinking of retreating back into the coolness of my old parish on the hot summer days and he put me to shame with that.

I realized, my place is right in my un-air conditioned parish, with the parish priests who can’t seek such refuge, and who cannot wear shorts. In fact, I think I’ll make it a point to go to the noon mass on a hot day, just to remember that Jesus died a painful death for us.
 
I’m backpacking Europe for several weeks this summer “à la Rick Steves” before and after I volunteer at World Youth Day in Germany. Yesterday my mother lended me her expertise for a few hours in helping me select what to pack in my modest carry-on size backpack, so that I could still pack very light - and enter the many European shrines and cathedrals, and even be in the presence of the Holy Father and still look decently and respectfully dressed (at least this is my intention!).

So if I can live out of a small backpack for 2.5 months and comfortably find a way to not enter a church in shorts, bare-sleeved and in sneakers or flip-flops … I’m confident that anyone can vastly improve their effort and respect for the Lord in they way they dress for Mass this summer, weather it’s hot and muggy at home, on vacation… or in my case, backpacking.
 
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