Proper Dress for Women at Mass?

[terilamb]

I know it’s pretty late and with Easter being almost here, I hope someone is there who can give me some guidance before I decide (in a matter of hours) what to do about church tomorrow. I appreciate the (name removed by moderator)ut from several people on my previous thread and should have posted my current concern sooner. Specifically – I’ve gotten the impression that it may be frowned about for a woman to wear slacks to Mass (and this may especially be true on Easter), having read some articles that came up when I Googled this topic. If this is true, I may have a problem. I wear slacks every day, including to my office job and to the churches I’ve attended, because I feel much more comfortable in them (and also due to some eczema scars I have that are not well covered by hosiery). I still have a few skirts or dresses in my closet but honestly, I don’t remember the last time I wore one and they may not even fit me any more. I know women are not to dress immodestly, and I don’t, but the articles I read also indicated we are “generally” not to wear slacks. So now I don’t know what to do about church tomorrow. If I am going to stand out unfavorably, or even wonder if I do, then maybe I’d better just go to Easter service at a Lutheran church and wait to see what some of you think before I go to a Catholic church. (I really don’t recall if all the other women wore dresses at the two Saturday Masses I attended last year.) Thanks in advance. Teresa

 

[babochka]

I know it’s pretty late and with Easter being almost here, I hope someone is there who can give me some guidance before I decide (in a matter of hours) what to do about church tomorrow. I appreciate the (name removed by moderator)ut from several people on my previous thread and should have posted my current concern sooner. Specifically – I’ve gotten the impression that it may be frowned about for a woman to wear slacks to Mass (and this may especially be true on Easter), having read some articles that came up when I Googled this topic. If this is true, I may have a problem. I wear slacks every day, including to my office job and to the churches I’ve attended, because I feel much more comfortable in them (and also due to some eczema scars I have that are not well covered by hosiery). I still have a few skirts or dresses in my closet but honestly, I don’t remember the last time I wore one and they may not even fit me any more. I know women are not to dress immodestly, and I don’t, but the articles I read also indicated we are “generally” not to wear slacks. So now I don’t know what to do about what to do about church tomorrow. If I am going to stand out unfavorably, or even wonder if I do, then maybe I’d better just go to Easter service at a Lutheran church and wait to see what some of you think before I go to a Catholic church. (I really don’t recall if all the other women wore dresses at the two Saturday Masses I attended last year.) Thanks in advance. Teresa

It is perfectly fine to wear nice dress slacks to Easter Mass. There are a few parishes in which you will find almost all women in dresses or skirts; it is still fine even there to wear slacks. If you are going to a traditional (Latin Mass) parish, this might be more pronounced. Please don’t let this make you feel uncomfortable and miss out on going to Mass. I pray that you have a prayerful and joyful experience at Mass tomorrow.

Christ is Risen!

 

[terilamb]

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I should probably proceed with the plan I’d made to the Mass and see what happens. I was just really concerned with the opinions that came up online from people who feel it would be bad for a woman to wear slacks to Mass (and I thought maybe even more so with it being Easter). Blessed Easter to you!

 

[creole54]

As long as you’re dressed modestly, please don’t allow your personal appearance to come between you and the joy of Easter.

I speak from immediate experience. Tonight I ended up having to wear jeans, a nice blazer and loafers to the Easter Vigil. As I sat in the parking lot, watching all the other women going into the church in their lovely Easter dresses and heels, I put the key back into the ignition and started to go back home. Thank God I stopped myself and went on in. It turned out to be the most joyous, beautiful Vigil I’ve ever attended! And to think I might have missed it over something as silly as what I was wearing.

 

[terilamb]

Thanks. I was so taken aback from much of what I read tonight, such as this one article called Skirting the Difference. The author, and those who posted comments, felt it would be better for a woman to wear a MINI skirt than slacks, since the latter show too much of the contour of the woman’s legs, etc. I was really stunned that there are people who feel that strongly about it. I had never encountered that attitude before.

 

[babochka]

Thanks. I was so taken aback from much of what I read tonight, such as this one article called Skirting the Difference. The author, and those who posted comments, felt it would be better for a woman to wear a MINI skirt than slacks, since the latter show too much of the contour of the woman’s legs, etc. I was really stunned that there are people who feel that strongly about it. I had never encountered that attitude before.

That attitude certainly exists, but it is a very, very small minority in the Church. You likely won’t encounter it in person, outside of some traditionalist circles. The Internet amplifies such voices much beyond what they deserve. (This is coming from a woman who always wears a dress or skirt to church.)

 

[Melissa]

The deacon’s wife at my parish always wears dress slacks to Mass. If it’s good enough for a deacon’s wife, it’s good enough for anyone in the pew. I personally prefer skirts (I love Soft Surroundings, where a “short skirt” is one that hits at the knee, most hit me around the ankle or maybe an inch above), but it’s really a preference thing.

Slacks have long since ceased to be “men’s wear” (for those who worry about Biblical prohibitions about women wearing men’s clothing and vice versa–and of course at the time that that statement was made, slacks weren’t menswear then).

 

[Don_Ruggero]

I know it’s pretty late and with Easter being almost here, I hope someone is there who can give me some guidance before I decide (in a matter of hours) what to do about church tomorrow. I appreciate the (name removed by moderator)ut from several people on my previous thread and should have posted my current concern sooner. Specifically – I’ve gotten the impression that it may be frowned about for a woman to wear slacks to Mass (and this may especially be true on Easter), having read some articles that came up when I Googled this topic. If this is true, I may have a problem. I wear slacks every day, including to my office job and to the churches I’ve attended, because I feel much more comfortable in them (and also due to some eczema scars I have that are not well covered by hosiery). I still have a few skirts or dresses in my closet but honestly, I don’t remember the last time I wore one and they may not even fit me any more. I know women are not to dress immodestly, and I don’t, but the articles I read also indicated we are “generally” not to wear slacks. So now I don’t know what to do about church tomorrow. If I am going to stand out unfavorably, or even wonder if I do, then maybe I’d better just go to Easter service at a Lutheran church and wait to see what some of you think before I go to a Catholic church. (I really don’t recall if all the other women wore dresses at the two Saturday Masses I attended last year.) Thanks in advance. Teresa

My late mother, God rest her soul, moved from dresses to pantsuits after the council…that was in the 1960s and she never looked back and she was never out of place and there were many women then doing exactly same thing.

As a priest, I would be afraid to speculate where you would read any article that indicates women are generally not to wear slacks to Mass…but wherever it is, it is removed from today’s lived reality. Such an attitude regarding pantsuits has never been the case in any parish I have ever had any association with, I can assure you.

Please do not choose not to come to Mass over the issue of what to wear.

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Easter!

 

[PaulfromIowa]

OP, don’t believe all the nonsense that one can find on the internet.

 

[Don_Ruggero]

Thanks. I was so taken aback from much of what I read tonight, such as this one article called Skirting the Difference. The author, and those who posted comments, felt it would be better for a woman to wear a MINI skirt than slacks, since the latter show too much of the contour of the woman’s legs, etc. I was really stunned that there are people who feel that strongly about it. I had never encountered that attitude before.

I’m rather speechless myself and I have been a priest for a very long time. All I can say is: I hope you do not encounter that attitude again. It is from the fringe.

I hope your Easter celebration at your local Catholic parish will be the first of many for you.

You will likely discover that, as it has been throughout its history, the firm foundation upon which that parish, like every other parish, rests upon is the generous and devoted women who give of themselves so selflessly. It has rather been that way ever since the Risen Lord sent Mary Magdalene to inform the Apostles, who had abandoned Him (and also left it to her and her female companions to anoint His body), that He was risen.

 

[Isca]

That attitude certainly exists, but it is a very, very small minority in the Church. You likely won’t encounter it in person, outside of some traditionalist circles. The Internet amplifies such voices much beyond what they deserve. (This is coming from a woman who always wears a dress or skirt to church.)

This is very true. In the UK, many people wear good jeans to church (including myself). In my village in Italy, the dress ‘code’ is even more diverse.

You’ll see the ‘dressing-up’ trend much more in the Anglican churches here.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I haven’t worn a dress in over 8 years. I am a blue jeans lady. The Easter Vigil was beautiful tonight. I can’t afford new clothes right now.
As long as I am clean and my clothes are clean and presentable, I am not concerned. I wear nice blue jeans. they aren’t ripped and no holes.

 

[IrishAm]

OP, don’t believe all the nonsense that one can find on the internet.

This. The internet is the bathroom wall of the technology age. Easter blessings to ALL who attend Mass during this holy season – whatever they are wearing!

 

[Irishmom2]

I was just really concerned with the opinions that came up online from people who feel it would be bad for a woman to wear slacks to Mass (and I thought maybe even more so with it being Easter). Blessed Easter to you!

Well, that is the problem. Do not be concerned with the opinions of the people online.
Unless it is from Don Ruggero!

Those internet people that insist on dresses are making up their own rules. The only rule you need to follow is to not dress immodestly. And even that, they will have different ideas.

When in doubt, observe what the majority of people at mass are wearing. There are no fashion police at the doors, btw, keeping out people that are wearing the “wrong” things.

May you have a blessed Easter!

 

[Memaw]

Thanks. I was so taken aback from much of what I read tonight, such as this one article called Skirting the Difference. The author, and those who posted comments, felt it would be better for a woman to wear a MINI skirt than slacks, since the latter show too much of the contour of the woman’s legs, etc. I was really stunned that there are people who feel that strongly about it. I had never encountered that attitude before.

I agree, some of the slacks today are tooo tight and form fitting. But mini skirts are bare skin! Modesty and neatness are the norm in whatever you wear. . God Bless, Memaw

 

[Tablefor9]

This. The internet is the bathroom wall of the technology age. Easter blessings to ALL who attend Mass during this holy season – whatever they are wearing!

That. Is. Perfect. And I full intend to borrow that line!

Christ is risen!

 

[Memaw]

This. The internet is the bathroom wall of the technology age. Easter blessings to ALL who attend Mass during this holy season – whatever they are wearing!

What you wear reflects on how you feel about yourself inside. Just make it pleasing to Our Lord and His Holy Mother. ( She did say that fashions would be introduced that would OFFEND her Son, greatly. ) God Bless, Memaw

 

[Allegra]

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I should probably proceed with the plan I’d made to the Mass and see what happens. I was just really concerned with the opinions that came up online from people who feel it would be bad for a woman to wear slacks to Mass (and I thought maybe even more so with it being Easter). Blessed Easter to you!

Those people are wackjobs sent by the devil to dissuade you from pursuing Truth. Just ignore them and enjoy Mass. I wear pants to Mass all the time. The last time I didn’t wear pants, it was because I was 9 months pregnant and I couldn’t find any that fit. No one pays attention to my pants. Please don’t let a couple of nuts on the internet stop you from coming to Jesus!

 

[Kay_Cee]

I heard about a young man whose mother, when he was ordained a priest, pulled him aside afterward and told him she had one piece of advice to give him. Then she whispered in his ear “Son, never tell a woman what to wear to church!”

He claimed it was the best advice anyone ever gave him.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I heard about a young man whose mother, when he was ordained a priest, pulled him aside afterward and told him she had one piece of advice to give him. Then she whispered in his ear “Son, never tell a woman what to wear to church!”

He claimed it was the best advice anyone ever gave him.