Men's Sunday Best Questions

[unixfudotnet]

I know I need to have “Sunday best” as far as attire is concerned with the EF of the Mass. There is an FSSP parish in my town. I’m planning on it being my normal Sunday Mass parish.

I am a convert and not used to the idea of “Sunday best”, so going to be stocking up on nice clothes (I don’t really have any).

My questions are (please excuse if they seem silly, but I’m unsure):

1. Can I choose whatever colors I want here, with shirt and tie?
2. If I am too warm, like to the point of sweating, what are my options?
3. If it’s too hot, can it be acceptable to not wear a jacket, or if it’s too cold I can wear a sweater or sweater vest?

At least with the cooler months coming up now, I should be able to wear formal wear much easier without worrying about being too hot. I’m a bit concerned about the summer though, but I have enough time.

PS: I’m a chunky dude, so I am a bit warmer than normal dudes. I am dropping the weight though.

 

[Pregustator]

Unix:

The Catholic Church, regardless of what Missal is being read from which altar, imposes no certain dress code upon persons attending Mass, except to urge us all to dress with modesty, using common sense.

For a gentleman, it is always nice to wear a jacket and tie, but that is not always necessary or even desirable. In the warm weather months, particularly in warmer climates, it would be intolerable for many to have to put so many clothes on, all buttoned up. Something like a pair of khakis and a polo shirt would be just fine. But that’s just me being 40 and unimaginative. One could think of 1001 alternatives to khakis and a polo shirt that do not involve a jacket and tie that would be just as appropriate.

If you opt to wear a jacket and tie, no, there are no color restrictions or demands whatsoever. You should look to the world of male couture for guidance in that regard, not to the world of the liturgy.

What you want to avoid are clothes that are inappropriate: ripped jeans, shorts, sneakers, dorm pants, tee shirts, and wifebeaters come instantly to mind.

You don’t need to come to Mass (even a Latin Mass) dressed for the State Opening of Parliament, on the one hand. On the other hand, one shouldn’t come dressed for the beach.

Let good taste and common sense be your guides and you’ll do just fine.

 

[Aboveallbereal]

Do not be too caught up in this my friend.

I wear a plain white or light blue shirt and sober coloured tie to mass with trousers not jeans and polished leather shoes not trainers. A suit or sports jacket is acceptable I think though not de rigeuer in very hot climes. Clearly ladies dress appropriately and with due decorum covering hair shoulders and knees and obviously mobile phones are OFF.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Not that I am encouraging you not to wear your Sunday best, but the FSSP will not kick you out of the parish for wearing jeans and sneakers.

 

[lbishaw]

I’ve attended 2 FSSP parishes and I’ve noticed that jeans and tennis shoes are an exception and I mean an exception and not the rule.

 

[Warrenton]

Hello! I live in the south, and it often gets to 100F in the summer, with oppressive humidity. Shorts, no, tee shirt, no. Short sleeves? yes. Tie, usually, but no one will stare at you if you don’t, at least in my parish! For cooler weather, I usually wear leather shoes, button shirt, tie and a tweed jacket. Sometimes if it is warm, I wear a cloth jacket instead. I usually wear a hat, which I remove on entering the kirk. But that’s sort of old skool, and by no means expected.

 

[m134e5]

You can wear generally whatever you want. Some dress clothes won’t make you much warmer than you’d be in casual clothes- and you CAN wear shorts to Mass (but you may feel out of place if the parish tends to dress up for Mass). Some churches are cheap with the AC- if you’ve found one like that, you may want to go somewhere else (that’s Catholic) at times during the summer.

 

[damooster]

I know I need to have “Sunday best” as far as attire is concerned with the EF of the Mass. There is an FSSP parish in my town. I’m planning on it being my normal Sunday Mass parish.

I am a convert and not used to the idea of “Sunday best”, so going to be stocking up on nice clothes (I don’t really have any).

My questions are (please excuse if they seem silly, but I’m unsure):

1. Can I choose whatever colors I want here, with shirt and tie?
2. If I am too warm, like to the point of sweating, what are my options?
3. If it’s too hot, can it be acceptable to not wear a jacket, or if it’s too cold I can wear a sweater or sweater vest?

At least with the cooler months coming up now, I should be able to wear formal wear much easier without worrying about being too hot. I’m a bit concerned about the summer though, but I have enough time.

PS: I’m a chunky dude, so I am a bit warmer than normal dudes. I am dropping the weight though.

Check with the FSSP parish. They will usually post any kind of dress code requirements/restrictments.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Check with the FSSP parish. They will usually post any kind of dress code requirements/restrictments.

As with any Catholic parish, there is no dress code. Its usually a red flag if a parish has an enforced dress code which points that they belong to a schismatic group, usually sedevacantists are pretty strict with their dress code.

The last EF Mass I attended in a FSSP parish had one woman wearing pants and running shoes. I took exception to that sight because I knew it would give some traditionalists a heart attack to know a woman was wearing pants (can’t remember if it was jeans or even running pants) and sneakers to an EF Mass.

 

[dconklin]

Go to a couple of the Masses and see what the other men are wearing. Do realize you will be dressing for others - not necessarily for God. Dress the best that you can/can afford. Fitting in will obviously help you feel more comfortable.

 

[Chatter163]

As with any Catholic parish, there is no dress code. Its usually a red flag if a parish has an enforced dress code which points that they belong to a schismatic group, usually sedevacantists are pretty strict with their dress code.

You are incorrect and painting with too broad a stroke. Several parishes that I have visited or joined, all of which were in good standing with their archdioceses, have had posted dress codes. They were minimal, but were posted by the pastor.

 

[ConstantineTG]

You are incorrect and painting with too broad a stroke. Several parishes that I have visited or joined, all of which were in good standing with their archdioceses, have had posted dress codes. They were minimal, but were posted by the pastor.

You’re right that I misspoke. In the Philippines the CBCP has enforced a dress code throughout the country. But this usually involves things like “no shorts”, “no flip flops”, “no mini-skirts” and nothing of the “must be in a shirt and tie” kind of a flavor. Sedevacantists would have the “dress like you’re going to a wedding every Sunday” kind of dress code while Catholic parishes would just encourage modesty in such a way that shirt and jeans are okay, but don’t wear something thats half an inch of fabric from being a bikini type of rule.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Go to a couple of the Masses and see what the other men are wearing. Do realize you will be dressing for others - not necessarily for God. Dress the best that you can/can afford. Fitting in will obviously help you feel more comfortable.

I think dressing up also helps us that mentally we tell ourselves we’re going to some place special. Its a good practice but highly subjective from person to person. I always say, an expensive suit is not going to hide the sin in your heart.

 

[mick321]

You’re right that I misspoke. In the Philippines the CBCP has enforced a dress code throughout the country. But this usually involves things like “no shorts”, “no flip flops”, “no mini-skirts” and nothing of the “must be in a shirt and tie” kind of a flavor. Sedevacantists would have the “dress like you’re going to a wedding every Sunday” kind of dress code while Catholic parishes would just encourage modesty in such a way that shirt and jeans are okay, but don’t wear something thats half an inch of fabric from being a bikini type of rule.

Are there parishes in Philippines where sedas set the dress codes?
What does the average seda know about formalwear anyway?
Do you know Manny Pacquiao?

 

[mick321]

I think dressing up also helps us that mentally we tell ourselves we’re going to some place special. Its a good practice but highly subjective from person to person. I always say, an expensive suit is not going to hide the sin in your heart.

Nor will the miniskirt and vampire makeup.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Are there parishes in Philippines where sedas set the dress codes?

I’m not aware of any sedes in the Philippines although there are many schismatic groups there but I have not heard of any that separated because of traditionalism.

What does the average seda know about formalwear anyway?

I base this from what has been shared in this forum and what you normally see in sede sites online.

Do you know Manny Pacquiao?

No, but my dad probably does. He works as a consultant for a friend who’s a congressman, and Pacquiao has recently been elected a congressman. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve met in the House of Representatives.