Summer attire at Mass

[LightBound]

Is it that hard for a small portion of the sleeve to cover the arm though? The priest is standing there fully loaded with garments on a hot day
.

Short sleeve and sleeveless/tank/straps are two different things. I see nothing immodest with short sleeves. If someone is that turned on or distracted by an elbow they need to maintain better custody of their own eyes. Note I said a short-sleeved shirt…not a Hooter’s waitress outfit.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Is it that hard for a small portion of the sleeve to cover the arm though? The priest is standing there fully loaded with garments on a hot day
.

Truthfully, it’s not even easy to find clothing for women with anything more than a “cap sleeve” during the summer. Clothing manufacturers have been doing this for years, cutting the sleeves up higher and higher, until it’s barely more than a sleeveless dress or shirt. My arms are not toned, and I would prefer to cover them from shoulder to elbow, but to try and find such a shirt in the summer season? Impossible!

KathrynAnne’s earlier message about sewing our own clothing is actually very practical. I HATE the clothing styles in stores but am not a seamstress either…Or I’d be buying material and patterns today! We ladies are unfortunate victims of the fashion industry. I know what styles look good on my body but I cannot buy them!

Don’t even get me started about what constitutes a “dress” these days!

But none of that is an excuse for showing up at church in shorts and sandals, a sundress, etc. Just put on a pair of khaki pants and a blouse!

 

[bmadamsberry]

Why not follow the Vaticans example and wear to mass the clothes that are acceptable there? This way we can’t get into this foolish debate that modesty is subjective.

I don’t think it’s a foolish debate. Obviously the idea of what is modest has changed in just the last 100 years, which would mean that there is some subjective element to it (I am not saying that it is totally dependent upon the person).

Furthermore, I’ve seen some of the things people wear to Mass when it’s celebrated in St. Peter’s Square, and it’s not always what you guys might want. Furthermore, I don’t want people to follow the example of what people wear to Mass when it’s inside St. Peter’s. I don’t own nice clothes like that, and I know several people who don’t as well (we’re college students, for goodness sake!)

 

[superamazingman]

But we don’t know what happened in the homes of these people two hours before the Mass.

Here’s a question for all: Let’s say that you have a teenager, a girl. Your teenager is in that rebellious phase and hates going to Mass or doing anything that you ask her to do. You put your foot down and insist that the teen attend Mass with you. She flounces away and says, “OK, but I’m NOT dressing up.”

What do you do? You can’t very well drag her up to her bedroom and dress her, can you? She’s not a baby or a toddler, and doing such a thing to her would be…um…inappropriate. Or is this how strict disciplinarian parents do it? Do parents REALLY force their children to dress conservatively? Have any of YOU done this? Does it work? What is the long-term outcome on family relationships?

**So do you tell her to stay away from the Mass unless she is willing to put on some decent clothes? Think about it–would you really keep your child away from Mass for the sake of a pair of shorts and a tank top? **

Or do you accept the compromise and say, “That’s fine, honey. We’ll be leaving for Mass in five minutes.”

I think a LOT of families see this kind of battle on a weekly basis with their teenagers, and many of these families choose to not fight this battle, but just accept that it’s more important to have their teens attending Mass even if they are wearing something that is much too beachy.

Wise parents know that it is important to choose their battles with their teens carefully, and that issues of dress, makeup, jewelry, etc. WILL pass, and in a few years, the teen will be through the “rebellious phase.”

It’s times like this when parent’s need to lay down the law. You don’t keep your child away from mass for the sake of shorts and a tank top, you make them put on something better, and bring them to Mass. You’re the parent, act like it.

 

[MissRose73]

It’s times like this when parent’s need to lay down the law. You don’t keep your child away from mass for the sake of shorts and a tank top, you make them put on something better, and bring them to Mass. You’re the parent, act like it.

:

So many parents at some of the churches need to do this with their kids & teens showing up better dressed to play in the sandbox or go swimming not for attending Mass (especially with kids who are old enough to receive Communion). Even my mother will make my sister’s kids (as she takes them) wear something decent to Mass - even in the summer time. It does not take much effort to set out for a younger child a nice shirt and modest & decent pair of pants (or knee length shorts in summer time).

I’d love to have churches play Father Dominic of EWTN’s sermon about modesty and decency of dress for Holy Mass (its on Youtube). Some people may not like it, but they are the ones who need to listen & understand the message he imparts. He also makes sure that both genders get equal mentions instead of some priests who place more burden on women to dress better compared to men. I know thanks to his words, I’ve taken care to dress decent for Mass. Also, attending Mass in the Extraordinary Form, people do show up decent and modest even if some of the clothes are not super dressy.

 

[garn9173]

Okay, so what would most people wear to a formal evening wedding?

I would dress pants and a polo shirt

What would they wear to a family holiday party?

depends on time of year. In the summer, it’s shorts and in the winter, jeans.

What would most people working in an office wear to work?

Were I work, I have the option of business casual or jeans.

What would they wear to a Baptism (the irony is those are in Churches)?

I was the God Father, dress pants, shirt and tie.

What would they wear to a nice dinner out with their spouse to say a high-level restaurant?

business casual.

 

[The_Curt_Jester]

It’s times like this when parent’s need to lay down the law. You don’t keep your child away from mass for the sake of shorts and a tank top, you make them put on something better, and bring them to Mass. You’re the parent, act like it.

Agreed. You never let your children try to bargain with you. Bad idea.

 

[MissRose73]

Agreed. You never let your children try to bargain with you. Bad idea.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

Is it that hard for a small portion of the sleeve to cover the arm though? The priest is standing there fully loaded with garments on a hot day
.

You just proved my point… I don’t think a short sleeve blouse is immodest…even a sleeveless blouse in my mind isn’t as long as it covers the bra and all necessary areas…I never wear them because I can’t find any that cover the bra under my arm…

But seriously just because it doesn’t reach my elbow it’s immodest?

See…everyone has a different idea…

 

[irishpatrick]

I would dress pants and a polo shirt

depends on time of year. In the summer, it’s shorts and in the winter, jeans.

Were I work, I have the option of business casual or jeans.

I was the God Father, dress pants, shirt and tie.

business casual.

So, in most cases you would dress better than many do to Mass.

[would you really wear a polo to a formal wedding?]

 

[TrueLight]

But we don’t know what happened in the homes of these people two hours before the Mass.

Here’s a question for all: Let’s say that you have a teenager, a girl. Your teenager is in that rebellious phase and hates going to Mass or doing anything that you ask her to do. You put your foot down and insist that the teen attend Mass with you. She flounces away and says, “OK, but I’m NOT dressing up.”

What do you do? You can’t very well drag her up to her bedroom and dress her, can you? She’s not a baby or a toddler, and doing such a thing to her would be…um…inappropriate. Or is this how strict disciplinarian parents do it? Do parents REALLY force their children to dress conservatively? Have any of YOU done this? Does it work? What is the long-term outcome on family relationships?

**So do you tell her to stay away from the Mass unless she is willing to put on some decent clothes? Think about it–would you really keep your child away from Mass for the sake of a pair of shorts and a tank top? **

Or do you accept the compromise and say, “That’s fine, honey. We’ll be leaving for Mass in five minutes.”

I think a LOT of families see this kind of battle on a weekly basis with their teenagers, and many of these families choose to not fight this battle, but just accept that it’s more important to have their teens attending Mass even if they are wearing something that is much too beachy.

Wise parents know that it is important to choose their battles with their teens carefully, and that issues of dress, makeup, jewelry, etc. WILL pass, and in a few years, the teen will be through the “rebellious phase.”

I go through this every other Sunday. I put my foot down. My oldest daughter learned what is expected of her pretty quickly. My youngest daughter is more stubborn these days, but she is getting better in her choice of clothes.

I let them wear fun, teen styles, to church, but I stand my ground when it comes to wearing inappropriate clothes (too tight, cleavage, shorts, mini-skirts, etc).

Being a parent is hard. It’s tiring. That doesn’t mean we should give up.

I consider myself to not only be a wise parent, I am sure my kids will thank me for this when they are grown.

 

[garn9173]

So, in most cases you would dress better than many do to Mass.

[would you really wear a polo to a formal wedding?]

Yep, two years ago this weekend, my son was a ring bearer at my step-niece’s wedding, my apparel that night was khaki pants and a polo shirt.

BTW, I don’t own a suit and yes, I wear khaki shorts to Mass and if I could get away with it, I would wear the same to work.

 

[Rejoice_Always]

Yep, two years ago this weekend, my son was a ring bearer at my step-niece’s wedding, my apparel that night was khaki pants and a polo shirt.

BTW, I don’t own a suit and yes, I wear khaki shorts to Mass and if I could get away with it, I would wear the same to work.

] CAF Approved
[x] Not CAF Approved

 

[irishpatrick]

Yep, two years ago this weekend, my son was a ring bearer at my step-niece’s wedding, my apparel that night was khaki pants and a polo shirt.

BTW, I don’t own a suit and yes, I wear khaki shorts to Mass and if I could get away with it, I would wear the same to work.

Interesting. I would have found that insulting. Sorry. (although I am 100% sure my view on it means exactly nothing to you – lol)

All a matter of personal priorities I guess.

 

[irishpatrick]

] CAF Approved
[x] Not CAF Approved

This is the problem, there is no respect for simple decorum anymore.

Seriously, and with respect, does anyone feel as if each person owes a certain debt to those around them anymore? Or has that been tossed into the “too old fashioned for me” pile?

Attending the Wedding or Mass, is more about the couple marrying, and more about the Lord, than it is about the person attending…the comfort of the person attending is utterly secondary.

 

[Laetus]

Yeah and I certainly have more respect for people back then than some of the bums of this time. Back then the homeless did their best to look their best, look at the pictures they wore suits…why because they had respect that’s why. Now we have millionaires dressing in rags. I think it’s a smack in the face to all the people around the world who don’t have the luxury of paying $500 to dress like a homeless bum with his t-shirt, and tattered jeans.

Yeah I know I sound like a cranky 85yro curmudgeon, but that’s because I am at heart.

FTR I’m not against men wearing nice dress pants (khakis, dress jeans, or slacks) polo shirts, sweaters or what not…it’s the ones that wear the baseball caps, flip flops and what not. I sometimes wear dress jeans, dress shirt w/sleeves rolled up and a vest to church. I’m just saying you can dress appropriately without having to do the suit & tie. It’s about making yourself look respectable. I’ve seen poor farmers do it…sure they wear their denim overalls to church, but they took time to comb their hair to the side and wear their cleanest and finest shirt (God bless them) it’s not a matter of fabrics for me as much as it’s about man’s respect for God, his church and himself.

I don’t think it’s a matter of “respect.” I think has more to do with that’s just how people dressed in those days.

I attend one parish where many of the men dress horribly. Old suit coats as blazers. Non-matching slacks. White socks. Odd shirt/tie combinations. It’s not because of finances, it’s because of taste and because some people never learned how to dress. I mention this because these are the very same that attack those that do not dress to their specifications. Yet truth be told, it’s their clothing that offends me.

 

[superamazingman]

Yep, two years ago this weekend, my son was a ring bearer at my step-niece’s wedding, my apparel that night was khaki pants and a polo shirt.

BTW, I don’t own a suit and yes, I wear khaki shorts to Mass and if I could get away with it, I would wear the same to work.

Have you ever checked out Goodwill, savers, or other thrift stores? I try to dress to the nines every Sunday, and everything I wear costed less than $20 total.

 

[superamazingman]

Agreed. You never let your children try to bargain with you. Bad idea.

We’ve seen where that attitude has lead us in other contexts.

 

[irishpatrick]

I don’t think it’s a matter of “respect.” I think has more to do with that’s just how people dressed in those days.

I attend one parish where many of the men dress horribly. Old suit coats as blazers. Non-matching slacks. White socks. Odd shirt/tie combinations. It’s not because of finances, it’s because of taste and because some people never learned how to dress. I mention this because these are the very same that attack those that do not dress to their specifications. Yet truth be told, it’s their clothing that offends me.

I tire of this attack of “to their specifications” bit. There is no such thing and no one here claims there is. Yet, if the Vatican sees fit to post minimum clothing requirements, than obviously this modern world is not being particularly respectful for the situation.

I just cannot fathom a person having the President of their company over for dinner, and not dressing nicely. I think it might happen in one out of thousand cases that a person just does not care how they dress around their company president. Yet, that same respect is not held for going to Mass, during which we Communion with the Lord, and gather together with others–who we owe a personal debt.

The fact that so many people argue the contrary just shows how far reverence and respect has just been lost to this culture.

 

[Rejoice_Always]

This is the problem, there is no respect for simple decorum anymore.

Seriously, and with respect, does anyone feel as if each person owes a certain debt to those around them anymore? Or has that been tossed into the “too old fashioned for me” pile?

Attending the Wedding or Mass, is more about the couple marrying, and more about the Lord, than it is about the person attending…the comfort of the person attending is utterly secondary.

Is it even more than about the clothes your neighbor is wearing? Not at CAF!