Proper attire for mass for men?

[esieffe]

Im in Georgia so I wear nice shorts and a polo or a Catholic T-shirt of some sort in the summer. In the winter I wear khakis or jeans and a polo or a Catholic university hoodie.

At Christmas or Easter I of course wear a suit. If and when I go to a EF mass, I will wear something dressy and no cross trainers.

 

[esieffe]

So, when you see that work apparel-attired worshiper at Mass in the morning or right after qutting time, be thankful they are there and be appreciative of the hard day’s work they are getting ready to do or just finished

I agree. Planks and splinters.

 

[esieffe]

I wish people would not wear to any Mass: shirts or jackets with writing, cartoons, logos, or anything added to draw attention. It shows disregard. If they are so interested in what’s printed on them, I think they can show the world in other places, not sacred spaces.

I was scolded one time by Monsignor for wearing an Auburn shirt to a church function, but it was because he was a Georgia fan.

 

[Glennon_P]

I was scolded one time by Monsignor for wearing an Auburn shirt to a church function, but it was because he was a Georgia fan.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

[27lw]

27lw:

I know you obviously think the etiquette of appropriate clothing is not important, but is it possible that you are sending a message like “I don’t care”?

The message is not, “I do not care.” The message is, "I do not judge.|

You might think you’re sending the message “I don’t judge”, but is it possible that others are reading a different message from your clothing choices? There’s no shortage of “clothing at Mass” threads on CAF, so can you see that some people might be reading your message as “I can’t be bothered to dress up”, “I don’t care”, “I’d rather be somewhere else”, “this isn’t really that important”, etc?

 

[pnewton]

There’s no shortage of “clothing at Mass” threads on CAF, so can you see that some people might be reading your message as “I can’t be bothered to dress up”,

I never said anything like that either. My first post here was:

I believe proper office attire is best, an usually wear a tie. So that is my norm. However, my norm applies only to me. About half of the men will wear tee shirts, and that is their norm. Shorts would even seem a reasonable norm in some situations.

 

[27lw]

What?! ? What am I arguing with you about? Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa! I thought you were in the “I wear shorts and a t-shirt” camp.

 

[pnewton]

Well, I really do not concern myself with what others wear. First, I live in a hot, muggy climate and have a very blue-collar parish. Second, I understand that we all have our own unique spiritual journey. Seldom is any mention of dress worth it spiritual. I apologize for any confusion from my posts.

 

[CatholicZ09]

I live in an area that’s pretty liberal when it comes to dress attire. Many of the older gentlemen that most likely wore suits to church every Sunday in their younger years now wear nice dress shorts and a collard shirt. Not too causal but also not too fancy. As a male, I usually look to them for guidance in dress.

I usually wear dress pants and a collard shirt to Mass, whether it be a 4:00 p.m. Saturday Mass or an 8:00 a.m. Sunday Mass. Fortunately, the majority of churches in my area are air-conditioned, so I believe that I should dress-up, as I won’t be sitting in a sweltering-hot building. If I was, I’d consider wearing dress shorts instead of pants.

I’ve seen a lot of different styles at Mass, even at our diocesan cathedral, where I’ve seen men come in with wife-beaters on and women with very short skirts/shorts. I’m not saying that that attire is appropriate, but it goes to show that people have very different views on what’s acceptable and what’s not. For myself, I believe semi-dressy attire is most appropriate.

 

[OKComputer]

The best way to start a fight amongst Catholics is to 1) question the chastity of their mother and 2) Bring up the “what is proper attire for mass”? conversation.

 

[Diaconia]

I serve both a medium-sized suburban Western parish and a little Ukrainian Catholic parish.

By FAR, people are more dressed up at our little Temple; and are much more reverential in manner and behavior than my suburban, Western, parish.

In my Western parish lots of people wear shorts (men and women), and there are many women that wear revealing and skimpy clothing.

The weather is exactly the same in both parishes - they are in the same city. But I have never seen anyone wear shorts to Divine Liturgy. Some women might wear pants, but most wear dresses or skirts. All men wear pants, some with suitcoats, or, beautiful, embroidered, Ukrainian shirts.

Clothing does make a difference in how people act, and, especially in young people, how they see themselves. That’s why Catholic schools have uniforms.

I personally don’t care how people come to Church; I am delighted they are here - but anyone who thinks dressing up for Christ doesn’t make a difference, I can assure you they are mistaken. Even if it doesn’t make a difference to you, it does make a difference to others around you, including the sacred ministers serving the liturgy for you.

Approach with the Fear of God, and with Faith,
Deacon Christopher

 

[mary15]

Every one has their own crosses to bear, and Jesus knows what they are.

For me, my cross to bear is to practice humility and to overcome my difficulties with pride.

This means being reverant and modest as directed by my spiritual director, both in my heart, my words, my actions, and finally through my dress.

I have to work on whats in my heart, and constantly clean out the impure and sinful that has destroyed my life.

For me then, this means to wear skirts and dresses where I never did before and was perfectly comfy in shorts and tee.

I dont judge anyone now, as I know its truly a matter of the heart.

Thats the beauty of the love that has been wroght in me through this spiritual direction.

Jesus loves you. Just as you are. Now, repent and come, follow HIm, the Savior of the world.

Jesus I trust in you, Jesus I trust in you, Jesus I trust in you.

 

[pnewton]

I have to work on whats in my heart, and constantly clean out the impure and sinful that has destroyed my life.

It is the battle that lasts a life time. This is why dress should not be judged. All that should be taught is only what the Church teaches, and She does not teach fashion, but modest is taught, but it is taught along with a host of other moral formation issues. Then let people grow as they grow.

Even clergy grow spiritually. I know I have never known one that consider “proper attire” as anything more than a sub-issue of modesty and chastity, nor one that cares more about the outward appearance than the inward. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for this very issue.

 

[AlmaRedemptorisMater]

I judge people based on their appearances. Maybe I’m wrong in my judgement, but I do it anyways.

 

[TC3033]

Summer = Khaki shorts and polo

Fall/spring = Jeans and polo or pull-over (depends on how cold)

Winter = Jeans and a sweater.

 

[DarkLight]

You might think you’re sending the message “I don’t judge”, but is it possible that others are reading a different message from your clothing choices? There’s no shortage of “clothing at Mass” threads on CAF, so can you see that some people might be reading your message as “I can’t be bothered to dress up”, “I don’t care”, “I’d rather be somewhere else”, “this isn’t really that important”, etc?

I think the lesson I’ve taken from CAF is the only way to avoid being judged on your clothes would be to show up to Mass not wearing any. Of course the law might have something to say about doing that.

 

[mary15]

My parish has a dress code posted just inside the parish doors.

My priest asked me to cover up my arms, so I have.

I feel better actually, as I have spent a lifetime dressed casually as my jobs required that.

Men wear suits at this parish, but I know that many need to wear what ever they have on hand that day and feel comfortable wearing.

I cannot judge, as I am chief of sinners!

I am obedient however, for the good of my soul, to my priest.

God knows me and what Im dealing with, and its a private issue.

Im so grateful for the kindness and generoisity of my priests.

 

[27lw]

Any priests around?
Would they prefer a bit more formal / modest, or is it no problem with shorts / tank tops / flip flops?
Or maybe they dare not go where angels fear to tread (that is, dress code at Mass threads).

 

[mary15]

@27lw thanks, asking priests is a good idea. Right now all I can say, is that they seem to me to be most concerned with whats in your heart.

That being said, I was still asked to cover my arms-next time. I was allowed to stay for the mass, because that is what was most important. He forgave me for not knowing about the dress code.

I see many nuns here, and they are so covered, I am totally amazed at Gods grace in their lives. I often feel so hot I think Im going to pass right out in the summer.

But I supposed there are ways to deal with that.My priest wears a cassock and that seems warm as well as the nuns habit.

 

[TC3033]

Any priests around?
Would they prefer a bit more formal / modest, or is it no problem with shorts / tank tops / flip flops?
Or maybe they dare not go where angels fear to tread (that is, dress code at Mass threads).

The priest at my wife’s parish made a comment once about how many people showed up in jeans. That didn’t stop anyone though. Small farm community, guys wore jeans…they were going to continue.