Question about proper clothes at Mass

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sidetrack

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I’ve kind of recently established a routine of going out to the library and when it’s closing time I go to Mass.When I go to Mass I dont wear a suit but typically some pants and a shirt with nothing inappropriate on it.Last week was a bit different though.Due to the warmer weather I wore shorts.Later on though I realized i was wearing shorts and had to go to Mass soon.I thought about how I could’nt make it home in time to change and thought about how it’s better to go to Mass in shorts then miss it (right?).I go but feel a bit bad about my clothes.Was it okay to go Mas in shorts then?.Also on a bit more different note would it be appropriate to wear shirts to Mass that are appropriate but have a pop culture and/or commercial symbolism for example a shirt with a Superman “S” shield?.
 
I would not wear those types of items to Mass. Instead, in the future, I would take the appropriate clothes with me to change into before Mass. I can change in a little amount of time in the restroom at the church or work.

I’m a little fuzzy on whether this was a Sunday Mass or weekday Mass. Personally, it would change what I wear, but most people a little more casual during the week.
 
I don’t think you were wrong to wear shorts to Mass but one thing you should always remember when heading to Mass is this: If you wouldn’t wear it to meet the Queen, you shouldn’t wear it to Mass. After all, at Mass you’re meeting the King of Kings and honoring Him in how you dress and behave is important. HOWEVER, the King will hardly turn you away if you ran out of time and had to come in shorts and a Superman shirt. 😉
 
sidetrack said:
I’ve kind of recently established a routine of going out to the library and when it’s closing time I go to Mass.When I go to Mass I dont wear a suit but typically some pants and a shirt with nothing inappropriate on it.Last week was a bit different though.Due to the warmer weather I wore shorts.Later on though I realized i was wearing shorts and had to go to Mass soon.I thought about how I could’nt make it home in time to change and thought about how it’s better to go to Mass in shorts then miss it (right?).I go but feel a bit bad about my clothes.Was it okay to go Mas in shorts then?.Also on a bit more different note would it be appropriate to wear shirts to Mass that are appropriate but have a pop culture and/or commercial symbolism for example a shirt with a Superman “S” shield?.
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I don’t think anyone was “scandalized” by you wearing shorts to mass. I assume you aren’t a woman and wearing daisey dukes!;). As far as logo t-shirts are concerned, I think it’s relatively easy to discern which are appropriate or inappropriate. IMHO Jesus would rather have you at his table in shorts than not there because of some preconceived dress code notion!
 
Since we live in FL where the weather is warm most of the time, last year our Bishop put out a letter which was read from all Diocese Parish pulpits.
The letter asked that people dress appropriately for Mass, - - - - and that shorts and jeans for men, women or children are not appropriate.
Neither are t-shirts, especially with advertising.

Nice slacks and nice shirts are appropriate.
One need not be formal to dress appropriately.

If we were invited to the home of Jesus for Supper, and knew He would be there personally - how should we dress ? - With great respect for the King of Kings, Our Lord.
 
ANNE_2 said:
If we were invited to the home of Jesus for Supper, and knew He would be there personally - how should we dress ? - With great respect for the King of Kings, Our Lord.
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This has actually been causing a great deal of anxiety for me lately! Haha. You should see me Sunday morning trying to get ready for Mass. I keep thinking ‘I’m going to meet my King… nope, this isn’t good… nope, this definitely isn’t good’. It leads to quite the long process!
 
ANNE_2 said:
Since we live in FL where the weather is warm most of the time, last year our Bishop put out a letter which was read from all Diocese Parish pulpits.
The letter asked that people dress appropriately for Mass, - - - - and that shorts and jeans for men, women or children are not appropriate.
Neither are t-shirts, especially with advertising.

Nice slacks and nice shirts are appropriate.
One need not be formal to dress appropriately.

If we were invited to the home of Jesus for Supper, and knew He would be there personally - how should we dress ? - With great respect for the King of Kings, Our Lord.
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CCC - " 1387 To prepare for worthy reception of this sacrament, the faithful should observe the fast required in their Church.
Bodily demeanor (gestures, clothing) ought to convey the respect, solemnity, and joy of this moment when Christ becomes our guest. "
 
It was not wrong to wear the shorts to church. I almost always go in clean jeans and a good shirt, nothing fancy. I have gone to church on hot days in shorts that went down to my knees. I guess it is whatever you are comfortable with as long as it is not a distraction to someone else that is there. You should also not wear anything that is too revealing (that would call attention to yourself). You don’t really say if this was on Sunday, Saturday, or a weekday mass. During the week, mass is more informal here that it is on Sundays. Most people here though, even on Sundays will show up in jeans.

I guess it really boils down to this: If you are not comfortable wearing shorts to church (it doesn’t feel appropriate), next time bring something to change into.
 
nickybr38 said:
I don’t think you were wrong to wear shorts to Mass but one thing you should always remember when heading to Mass is this: If you wouldn’t wear it to meet the Queen, you shouldn’t wear it to Mass. After all, at Mass you’re meeting the King of Kings and honoring Him in how you dress and behave is important. HOWEVER, the King will hardly turn you away if you ran out of time and had to come in shorts and a Superman shirt. 😉
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I always find the analogy of meeting the Queen, President, or dressing for an interview interesting. I go to Mass daily…and I’m sure not dressing up like that every day. Nor do I see the people at daily Mass dressed this way. I also have to consider how easily I can rush to daily Mass and back on my lunch hour dressed in what I’m wearing.

While yes, we need to dress modestly…i.e…not to much skin showing or nothing to tight, etc. I think we can get way too hung up on the externals…IMHO.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
I always find the analogy of meeting the Queen, President, or dressing for an interview interesting. I go to Mass daily…and I’m sure not dressing up like that every day. Nor do I see the people at daily Mass dressed this way. I also have to consider how easily I can rush to daily Mass and back on my lunch hour dressed in what I’m wearing.

While yes, we need to dress modestly…i.e…not to much skin showing or nothing to tight, etc. I think we can get way too hung up on the externals…IMHO.
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Mass isn’t just another moment in the day that we have to get through so we can rush back to life. Nor should it be treated as routine. While I totally understand that dressing to the nines isn’t practical, at the same hand we shouldn’t treat Mass casually either. We CAN get caught up on externals, but we can also get caught up in ‘ordinary’ as well and Mass shouldn’t be treated like any other thing we do in life. Just my two cents!
 
Thank very much so everyone for your replies.They’ve been helpful.By the way to answer the question of some it was a Saturday Mass.
 
No jean or shorts!!!

Did you know you can’t write in all caps on this website?
 
nickybr38 said:
Mass isn’t just another moment in the day that we have to get through so we can rush back to life. Nor should it be treated as routine. While I totally understand that dressing to the nines isn’t practical, at the same hand we shouldn’t treat Mass casually either. We CAN get caught up on externals, but we can also get caught up in ‘ordinary’ as well and Mass shouldn’t be treated like any other thing we do in life. Just my two cents!
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Well…while we shouldn’t treat Mass casually either…there are many ways that you can do that besides the clothing. For those of us that attend during work…it’s not practical to be in slacks ALL the time. I would rather go to daily Mass…yes…in my jeans on casual Friday…and participate in that wonderful mystery…then stay away because I’m in my work clothes. Why does how you dress say that it’s treating it as just another moment in the day that I have to “get” through so I can rush back to life? The reality is…yes…I have to rush there…to fit it into my lunch hour. But I’d rather make that sacrifice then do anything else during my lunch hour. That doesn’t mean I feel like I’m “suffering” through the Mass.🤷
 
Our lord dosn’t judge us by rour outwardly appearences, he looks at our hearts,in respect to our lord we should try to wear our best clothes to mass,Jesus comes to the poor at heart not the best dressed, if some one is at mass poorly dressed don’t judge them, you cant judge a book by its cover

Stephen
 
When uncertain, follow the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition” rather than the personal opinions of others.
 
With the warm weather coming for so many in the USA, I hope that priests remind the congregation about not coming dressed to go like they are ready to go to the beach, a barbecue, the amusement park and/or the pool to Mass.

I’d much rather see someone come to Mass wearing a decent loose fitting tee shirt with no offensive items on it (or even better a nice short sleeve shirt) and shorts that come to the knees with a nice pair of sandals compared to a tight and/or revealing and/or short shirt with short shorts & flip flop sandals.

Most offices dress codes that require business casual (the norm these days) or the rare office that still require business professional clothes are appropriate for Mass in my opinion as long as the clothing is not tight or revealing.
 
Annabelle_Marie said:
Well…while we shouldn’t treat Mass casually either…there are many ways that you can do that besides the clothing. For those of us that attend during work…it’s not practical to be in slacks ALL the time. I would rather go to daily Mass…yes…in my jeans on casual Friday…and participate in that wonderful mystery…then stay away because I’m in my work clothes. Why does how you dress say that it’s treating it as just another moment in the day that I have to “get” through so I can rush back to life? The reality is…yes…I have to rush there…to fit it into my lunch hour. But I’d rather make that sacrifice then do anything else during my lunch hour. That doesn’t mean I feel like I’m “suffering” through the Mass.🤷
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I think there needs to be a balance is all. 🙂 And while I won’t say what is or isn’t acceptable, I do think a little more effort then just throwing on whatever’s on the floor is needed.

And I doubt you’re wearing anything inappropriate if you’re running to Mass during your lunch break. Unless you work at some really casual workplace?
 
People tend to put on their Sunday best for Mass…after all you are going to the House of the Lord and probably partake in Communion.

During the week, some folk wear their workclothes as they zip off to work afterwards. The same is if a working person has the option to go to Mass after work and are unable to effect a quick change, the Lord would rather you came in than not.

Shorts and t-shirts are not good options, bare feet neither.
 
I have more understanding for those who come to Mass before going to work or coming from work, and may not be in their best clothes or in some type of work uniform. Most of us have to work for a living, and not all people get to work Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6pm with an hour for lunch either, I know I don’t get that schedule but I’d rather have a job in this day & age.
Zacdecat said:
People tend to put on their Sunday best for Mass…after all you are going to the House of the Lord and probably partake in Communion.

During the week, some folk wear their workclothes as they zip off to work afterwards. The same is if a working person has the option to go to Mass after work and are unable to effect a quick change, the Lord would rather you came in than not.

Shorts and t-shirts are not good options, bare feet neither.
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I’ve really got no reservations about wearing some athletic shorts and flip flops to Mass on a hot summer day, just as I have no problem with sweatpants or something of that sort in the winter. I am a teenager, after all! I can understand why people would like to “dress up” for church, and I think that is really just a personal thing. I’m much more likely to pay attention to the Gospel and the readings if i’m comfortable! 😛
 
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