The Easter Dress

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Richie_Nelson

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My wife has some friends who crack me up. It seems like they only go to church on Easter. And, they have to buy a new dress and some get a hat too.

It seems like Easter is just an excuse to go out an buy a new dress, an “Easter Dress”. But then you never see them wear it again.

Funny to me, what about you?
 
My wife is the same way except she goes to Mass more often than Easter and Christmas. It seems a big chunk of Catholics out there simply honor their obligations on those days. The Easter Catholics know this and that’s why they buy a new dress: to show off to all those who they know are going to be there.

It always perplexed me to see the church packed on Easter and Christmas and drop 80% on the remaining days of obligation. For those who like to trash the traditionalists and old school folk around here, you might want to pick on those who embarrass Catholicism with their apathy rather than chastising those of us interested or respectful of the timeless Catholic traditions.

It seems we are all fighting the wrong people. When you put your kids, nephews, and grandkids’ basket together this weekend, slip in a catechism instead of How The Grinch Stole Easter.
 
Oh, I go to Mass more often than my Christmas and Easter, and REALLY REALLY miss the tradition of the new dress – and especially the hat! I just dress the same for any other mass - modestly.

I thought that there was a point (in the teens?) that the new hat and dress was reserved for little girls. I honestly didn’t know that grown women still did it. 🤷 Not that I’m complaining at the tradition, but I have never known it to go past the teen-young adult years.

I really like the idea, though, after the proverbial sack cloth and ashes of Lent. I think I’m going shopping before Friday…
 
The reasons why non-practicing Catholics go to Mass on Easter and Christmas I’m sure are pretty diverse. There are many non-practicing Catholics who don’t want to cut the ties to their Catholicism completely. Getting together with family members who are practicing Catholics bring many into Church on these holy days.

Buying a new garment or dress for Easter however seems like a good thing to do even for a practicing Catholic. It can be symbolic of a new birth, a rising with Him to a new life, after dying with Him on the cross. I haven’t bought one, and probably won’t, but I see nothing wrong with it. The Church always looks much more cheerful on Easter Sunday, than the Church during Lent.
 
I’m one of those people who buys a new Easter outfit too:o

I guess its because when I was little (I was raised Methodist), yes we went to church every Sunday and we dressed nice but Easter & Christmas were always times where we were to look our best so I always got a new outfit. I guess it has just carried over, but I usually try to get something that is versatile and that I can wear on other Sundays or even to work (work is dressy sometimes) or out to dinner so I don’t waste the money on the new clothes
 
I remember getting new Easter dresses and hats as a kid, but I lived in a warmer climate then.

I can’t really see getting a new, Spring-y outfit, when I may very well have to wear pac boots with it. 😃
 
I think this year I will decorate my best winter coat with lillies instead. It’s suposed to be cold, complete with snow.
 
Although I won’t be doing it this year, I often get something (blouse, skirt, etc) that’s new. It seems like by doing that it’s showing on the outside what I feel it’s about - a new life (not materialism)! New clothes have always meant that to me - starting over completely.
 
:mad: I can’t Find an Easter dress. Most all the stores in my town A) Don’t carry them,B) reveil so much skin that as to make a sailor blush or C) Not in my size.

We are celebrating a New Birth, a New beginning with the Risen Lord and I like others have said, would love to start out with a new Easter dress.

BTW,I am a daily Mass communicant/Sacristan so I would wear it again, weather permitting.👍
 
I don’t really mind the people who show up only on Easter with a new dress.

it’s the people who show up only on Easter and sit in MY pew. lol.
 
Richie_Nelson said:
My wife has some friends who crack me up. It seems like they only go to church on Easter. And, they have to buy a new dress and some get a hat too.

It seems like Easter is just an excuse to go out an buy a new dress, an “Easter Dress”. But then you never see them wear it again.

Funny to me, what about you?
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I can remember what a big deal it was to get a new Easter dress and hat (yes, hat) when I was a child. However, I don’t get anything new for Easter. In fact, I was baptized, confirmed and given my first communion on Easter 2007 and I didn’t wear anything new for that Easter either. I wasn’t aware that grownups did it either. However, it may not really be about Easter…maybe it’s more that Easter comes in spring and it’s a nice way to welcome the new season?😛
 
CarolAnnSFO said:
I remember getting new Easter dresses and hats as a kid, but I lived in a warmer climate then.

I can’t really see getting a new, Spring-y outfit, when I may very well have to wear pac boots with it. 😃
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I’m in south Florida where it’s been in mid to high 80’s for weeks and weeks…maybe I’ll get a new Easter bathing suit?:eek:
 
Richie_Nelson said:
My wife has some friends who crack me up. It seems like they only go to church on Easter. And, they have to buy a new dress and some get a hat too.

It seems like Easter is just an excuse to go out an buy a new dress, an “Easter Dress”. But then you never see them wear it again.

Funny to me, what about you?
Click to expand...
I don’t find it funny, rather I find it quite sad and depressing actually. To think of what they are missing out in this life, and the next. 😦

~Liza
 
I attended the Easter Vigil Mass (I sing in the choir), and as I suspected – no Easter dresses, suits, or any new Springtime outfits – we’re all still in our winter clothes here. 😃 And it snowed again last night. :eek:
 
I guess my tradition is different. As a cradle Catholic, my mom always insisted on getting a new dress for us girls every Easter. The boys would be dressed up in dress shirts and ties, sometimes with a new sweater over it. We were not CEO (Christmas-and-Easter-only) Catholics, either.

This year, in continuing the tradition, I bought a new dress to wear for Easter Sunday. I guess this will be something that will always be ingrained in me. 🙂
 
I did not buy anything new last year or this year. It didn’t bother me last year, but this year, I felt frumpy and out of sorts among all the others in their Easter finery.

As I stated earlier, it’s not necessary and I think it’s more as a celebration of spring. However, it can also be a celebration of the Resurrection. If our hearts are in the right place, then that is all that matters.

Next year I will possibly buy something new. I’ll decide then.
 
I think it is great, but not necessary.

I would be great if hats and gloves both would come back in fashion (not that I care about being fad-ish, but there is much more selection when it’s an “in” thing) I like to wear both.
 
We always get new outfits for Christmas and Easter. I don’t know why, just always did when I was a kid and still do with my kids now. Although, my girls love to wear their holiday dresses every Sunday. I always tell them, you do have other dresses:rolleyes:

I guess it’s sad though that sometimes after the holiday and the girls want to continue to wear their new dresses, I feel like they are overdressed. Kind of sad
 
I was in kind of a blue funk with the continuing rain and snow and recovering from a bad case of bronchitis, so the Monday before Easter I hit the department store, which was having a sale, and bought myself 2 skirts, 2 blouses, a pair of pants, and new shoes. I feel better now.😃
 
CB_Catholic said:
I was in kind of a blue funk with the continuing rain and snow and recovering from a bad case of bronchitis, so the Monday before Easter I hit the department store, which was having a sale, and bought myself 2 skirts, 2 blouses, a pair of pants, and new shoes. I feel better now.😃
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Maybe I should try this tomorrow (when it’s supposed to be snowing. :eek: )
 
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