Traditional Attire?

[jilly4ski]

I think it depends on the skirt and the leg under the skirt.

Example: I have very short legs and have always had bigger thighs, thus I feel very uncomfortable and immodest in anything shorter than just below the knee.

However I do not believe that ladies with longer thinner legs than me, wearing skirts just above the knee are being immodest.

I like A-lines, and have recently been fond of these. I have them in solid black, gray, and a brown plaid that I love. With my short legs they reach the floor and are very flowy and comfortable.

 

[TrueLight]

I think it depends on the skirt and the leg under the skirt.

Example: I have very short legs and have always had bigger thighs, thus I feel very uncomfortable and immodest in anything shorter than just below the knee.

However I do not believe that ladies with longer thinner legs than me, wearing skirts just above the knee are being immodest.

I like A-lines, and have recently been fond of these. I have them in solid black, gray, and a brown plaid that I love. With my short legs they reach the floor and are very flowy and comfortable.

That’s only $19.99? That is just my style. Has a gothic flair to it.

 

[Samuel63]

They should be at least two inches below the knee.

Anything shorter is collaborating with the evil one.

 

[TrueLight]

They should be at least two inches below the knee.

Anything shorter is collaborating with the evil one.

 

[Irish_Kathleen]

I have very long thin legs and I wear a size two, and weigh 98 lbs. There is no way I could be dressed in a skirt/dress that is below my knees. I usually wear a dress that is above my knees. I think it looks fine. I will never succome to the modesty police. I know what looks good on me and that is it period! Please no burckas need apply!!

 

[khawk2]

Not sure why this issues angers you so much (yes, your angst came through quite clearly), but practices varied greatly by region and ethnic group. What you described was very true among Anglophones and some Northern Europeans, but many Southern Europeans, Italians, Spaniards, Latin Americans and Fillipinos mostly wore mantillas.

At the Extraordinary form that I attend it is a Eucharistic Chapel so it has no permanent congregation-- although there are some who are clearly regulars. Those women are veiled.
It is true that hats were much more popular in the fifties and sixties when I was growing up so that many females wore hats. I think the larger point here is not the history of the mantilla or chapel cap or hat which tends to be regional and dependent on current fashion but rather that the covering of one’s female head is in reverence and modesty to God. Where the custom went in the parishes I have no clue but I do know that I wear a chapel cap (black) whenever I go to a Traditional Mass. It is a symbolic gesture. When I attend a Novus Ordo Mass we both look out of place in our Sunday clothes (I am usually the ONLY one with a skirt/suit) versus t shirts and jeans. Getting dressed up for Mass was part of the entire experience of going to Mass (except on Holy Days when we went before Catholic School in our uniforms-the girls had matching beanies so that even young girl’s heads were covered).

Proper dress is more important than what you wear on your head-- as long as your head is covered with something. Skirts at the knee or longer are preferable. In the middle of the winter during a snow storm I would think about dress slacks with boots but that would be the exception-- not the norm-- at least for me.

Common sense and due reverence should prevail but I would never look down on anyone who has just come off of the night shift or is on their way to work and is in work clothes. I leave the judging to God and am responsible only for my own soul. So I cover my head.

 

[Will_S]

I have very long thin legs and I wear a size two, and weigh 98 lbs. There is no way I could be dressed in a skirt/dress that is below my knees. I usually wear a dress that is above my knees. I think it looks fine. I will never succome to the modesty police. I know what looks good on me and that is it period! Please no burckas need apply!!

What “looks good on you” is entirely beside the point. I understand that’s not likely to change your mind, since you probably care more about “what looks good on you” than on what is good for the souls of others, which is, after all, the real reason to be modest.

For what it is worth, I require my daughters, when they wear skirts, to wear skirts that cover the knee.

 

[Te_Deum]

There is no such thing as “traditional attire” in my opinion. There is modest and respectful attire however. I’ve seen some people, generally Americans, state that if you don’t show up in a suit you’re border-line sinning but this is due to 1950’s American sensibilities (the American traditionalist’s “golden years”). Jeans tend to be a big no-no with these people. But you can wear jeans that are modest and respectful with a nice polo-shirt or jumper.

It tends to be harder to judge with women though. Use the Blessed Virgin as your example I say .

I’ve not really had to put much thought into what I wear at Mass these days because I’m always covered with a cassock and surplice. Most of the time I’ll put on a pair of dress shoes and jeans with a t-shirt or black school-trousers and black shoes. And if anyone has a problem with that let them don on a heavy and thick cassock and run around the altar for an hour in the blistering heat!

 

[Irish_Kathleen]

What you like may change when your daughters get older. Going by so-called modesty rules does not make a person holier. People can do what they like, and please you do not know me or why I dress as I do. So just zip it!

 

[Iotaunum]

I guess as long as clothes are respectable they are acceptable at Mass. I think formal always looks more fitting for the Mass. When I look at older photos/videos of Mass I am impressed greatly to see all the men in suits/shirts and the women wearing their hats and veils. I wonder, do people tend to dress differently on certain feast days - Christmas and Easter for example?

 

[khawk2]

There is no such thing as “traditional attire” in my opinion. There is modest and respectful attire however. I’ve seen some people, generally Americans, state that if you don’t show up in a suit you’re border-line sinning but this is due to 1950’s American sensibilities (the American traditionalist’s “golden years”). Jeans tend to be a big no-no with these people. But you can wear jeans that are modest and respectful with a nice polo-shirt or jumper.

It tends to be harder to judge with women though. Use the Blessed Virgin as your example I say .

I’ve not really had to put much thought into what I wear at Mass these days because I’m always covered with a cassock and surplice. Most of the time I’ll put on a pair of dress shoes and jeans with a t-shirt or black school-trousers and black shoes. And if anyone has a problem with that let them don on a heavy and thick cassock and run around the altar for an hour in the blistering heat!

The priest that serves the Extraordinary Form of the Mass that I attend has switched over from shoes to sandals with no socks. He started this once the weather warmed. The first time I saw him in his vestments with his sandals I thought of pictures that I saw of Jesus.
I was touched.

 

[Te_Deum]

The priest that serves the Extraordinary Form of the Mass that I attend has switched over from shoes to sandals with no socks. He started this once the weather warmed. The first time I saw him in his vestments with his sandals I thought of pictures that I saw of Jesus.
I was touched.

As long as he’s in fiddleback I’ve no problem with this . I’d say the same to Msgr. when he dons his Gothic chasuble. But I quite like having my head on my shoulders .

 

[Samuel63]

What you like may change when your daughters get older. Going by so-called modesty rules does not make a person holier. People can do what they like, and please you do not know me or why I dress as I do. So just zip it!

Wearing an outfit that causes sinful thoughts by another is not a good idea. Jesus said directly, even thinking about adultery is the same as committing the real act.

So, when you cause a sinful thought in another, that person is guilty of serious sin. You are guilty as well and complicit in the sin.

Go ahead, exercise your freedom and discard (name removed by moderator)ut from the modesty police. Enjoy the freedom while you have it.

…

 

[Te_Deum]

Ask yourself… would the Blessed Virgin Mary walk around with skirts above her knees? I don’t think so.

 

[Irish_Kathleen]

They should be at least two inches below the knee.

Anything shorter is collaborating with the evil one.

Where in the world do you get your info. Maybe you need some counselling, seriously. Do you know how many good but scrupulous Catholics take your message to heart and leave the church, because of your hang-ups. I cannot believe the animousity that so many of the modesty police show on this site. I am also worried about the very young girls who are admonished on a daily basis for just trying to be happy and young. Oh please don’t give me your insight into what you think the church believes or the saints, who have been dead for centuries. Their clothing is just that 100 plus years old. Please do not tell me that we should dress as the BVM did thousands of years ago. Look at the Vatican, no pope has removed the nude paintings and statues there, talk about occasions of sin to weak individuals who cannot take a short dress or a low cut shirt. No you really should be Amish, in the Fundamental Morman Church, or better than that a member of the taliban.

 

[Bruised_Reed]

The some of the nudity in the Sistine Chapel was painted over. Eactly who ordered that I can’t nail down; I first understood it was the Pope, a Council, or an Inquizition. Someone here knows and maybe they will chime in with who it really was (source too, please .) Pope JPII commissioned the removal of the added loincothes when the Chapel ceiling was restored.

 

[FraterAndre]

Here in the Philippines, the norm is for the men to wear a shirt, pants (never jeans), and shoes. For the women, a blouse, a skirt, shoes and the veil. Members of the religious confraternities wear their habits, and so are the religious. Newcomers are excused to wear casual attire but never revealing and provocative attire.

 

[Samuel63]

Where in the world do you get your info. Maybe you need some counselling, seriously. Do you know how many good but scrupulous Catholics take your message to heart and leave the church, because of your hang-ups. I cannot believe the animousity that so many of the modesty police show on this site. I am also worried about the very young girls who are admonished on a daily basis for just trying to be happy and young. Oh please don’t give me your insight into what you think the church believes or the saints, who have been dead for centuries. Their clothing is just that 100 plus years old. Please do not tell me that we should dress as the BVM did thousands of years ago. Look at the Vatican, no pope has removed the nude paintings and statues there, talk about occasions of sin to weak individuals who cannot take a short dress or a low cut shirt. No you really should be Amish, in the Fundamental Morman Church, or better than that a member of the taliban.

Intersting. Are you aware that modesty is a virtue. I recommend you try a google search for “+virtue +modesty”. Here is a link - google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS331&q=%2Bvirtue+%2Bmodesty&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

You will find a few articles that may be enlightening.

Also, you should seriously consider how young girls and young women are misled into immodest dress and behavior. Jesus had harsh words for misleading young people. Something about a millstone around the neck and treading water.

Having children does help change our perspective.

 

[Irish_Kathleen]

Intersting. Are you aware that modesty is a virtue. I recommend you try a google search for “+virtue +modesty”. Here is a link - google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS331&q=%2Bvirtue+%2Bmodesty&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

You will find a few articles that may be enlightening.

Also, you should seriously consider how young girls and young women are misled into immodest dress and behavior. Jesus had harsh words for misleading young people. Something about a millstone around the neck and treading water.

Having children does help change our perspective.

And you and your ilk are the ones to save us all. I think not. No one is wearing a bikini to mass. Maybe you have a distorted view of modesty and women period. There are many sites you could look up for your ENLIGHTENMENT.

 

[SusanneT]

Question for the ladies here (though guys can answer too)

What would you say is a modest length for skirts or dresses?

I went to the mall and was looking for a skirt, and of course I couldn’t find anything even below the knees, unless it’s really expensive, or not something I’d wear. Then I went to another store around here, and found a good skirt that is around 16 or so centimeters below the knee. It covers the knee when I’m sitting down too so I thought it’s a good choice. It looks modest but is still modern. I also like the really long skirts (right to the ankle) that are sort of in style right now.

My skirt is sort of this length: media.redcatsusa.com/is/image/avenue/mm/0326_04571_mm.jpg

What is your opinion on this??

Knee length - I’ve always thought that’s why God gave us knees !

I think formal wear is easier, simply because you can be more careful, so ‘on the knee’ is fine, but as a SAHM I spend a lot of time sitting and crawling around on the floor and so for casual I either wear something longer, or knee length and reasonably full but with opaque tights.

That skirt is exactly the sort of length I wear with shear tights or nothing in summer any shorter and even sitting on a chair you have to be careful. But it’s not just length you also need to consider how low it is at the top (so as not to show your midrift), how tight around your hips, how it hangs (not too clingy) and of course make sure it’s not too see through.

Men have it easy !