Wearing Jeans In Church

[JKirkLVNV]

CarolAnnSFO:

Amen! I couldn’t have said it any better. In some places, a shirt like that shown below (along with cool linen trousers) substitutes for a suit and tie for even the most formal of occasions. Doesn’t that make a whole lot more sense than wearing a suit and tie in severe hot weather? The men’s dress suit came to us from a culture (and a country) where the summertime temperatures are about 40 degrees cooler than they are in the American Southwest. Wearing a suit and tie (or the ladies’ equivalent) at the height of summer makes about as much sense as wearing a fur parka and mukluks.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/TaiChiPanther/Guayabera.jpg

By the way, in case you’re wondering, I never wear jeans (not even in the winter); I consider them too hot and too heavy. And I think that men look great in Guayabera shirts.

Just a couple of asides – 1) Would I wear jeans for “business casual”? No, because I never wear jeans, but many people where I work do, including my boss. 2) I have seen, at Daily Mass, a lady wearing jeans, and a mantilla.

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Precisely what many of our folk wear!

 

[mike182d]

JKirkLVNV:

I agree with your every point. I simply do NOT agree that that means a coat and tie or a suit.

The proper attire for Mass is modest clothing that doesn’t call attention to itself and that is clean. Anything more is oppressive Phariseism. If others want to wear such things, that’s their business and it’s none of their business if others do NOT choose to wear these things.

Well, for women, of course it wouldn’t mean a coat and tie

Just kidding…

I opt not to wear jeans to Mass because I wear jeans for everything other thing I go to; they are my most common form of attire and also my lowest form of attire. Since the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is unlike any other event in this universe, I see it best to dress as if it were an event unlike any other that I would go to throughout the course of my life. I think the point you’re getting at, which I do agree with, is that there *are *exceptions - we’re not expected to wear expensive tuxedos. These exceptions are heavily dependent upon the individual’s situation and surrounding.

But, I would still have to disagree over the issue of jeans specifically. Khakis are a bit more classy and actually of a lighter, more comfortable material than jeans. I fail to see an argument for why jeans would be better - style, comfort, or otherwise.

 

[Tazgurl21]

I wear jeans to chruch every sunday

 

[Isidore_AK]

Well, up here the old joke is that an Alaska Tuxedo consists of a full suit of winter Carhartt’s (heavy work duds, usually stained to the point that you can’t tell what the original color was… ), work gloves & bunny boots…Probably not the best clothing for mass though.

I think modesty is the issue. Pants that are not revealing, and fit properly are not immodest. A T-shirt that fits properly is not immodest.

Remember, dress clothes are not necessarily modest either. I have seen plenty of women wear ‘sexy’ dress clothes. Cleavage revealing dresses, tight fitting pant-suits…y’all know what I’m talking about. People should dress modestly, & within their means…

 

[otto22]

The rationalizations in this thread are amazing. Wearing “dress” clothes does not endanger your health. Sometime look at an old picture of a professional baseball game in a place like St. Louis in the 1920s. All the men wore dark wool coats and ties where the temperature was often 95 with humidity 95+%. The also dressed that way in non-air conditioned office buildings. The fact that “everyone” wears casual clothes doesn’t mean much – there are an awful lot of people using drugs and living in various sinful situations – that certainly is not a reason for us to imitate them. And to say that “Jesus cares what’s on the inside, not the outside” may be true, but what is important at mass concerning our appearance is what we think of Jesus – how much respect we have for him. One’s dress while visiting an important person is a sign of respect. No one is more important than Our Lord. It may not be wrong to wear jeans, but it is not appearing at one’s best in the presence of the King and Lord of the Universe.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

otto22:

The rationalizations in this thread are amazing. Wearing “dress” clothes does not endanger your health. Sometime look at an old picture of a professional baseball game in a place like St. Louis in the 1920s. All the men wore dark wool coats and ties where the temperature was often 95 with humidity 95+%. The also dressed that way in non-air conditioned office buildings.

You can call it “rationalization” if you want, but I can simply see no point in in wearing all that heavy wool in 95 degree temperatures (or 118 degrees, which is what they’re getting in the Southwest). What does it prove? When it’s 30 degrees below zero in the winter, do you go out in bare feet, just wearing shorts and a t-shirt? Well, wearing wool suits in tropical temperatures doesn’t make any more sense than that. Back in the 1920s, women wore undergarments to completely flatten their bosoms to obtain the “flapper” look – does that mean we should do the same today just because it was done in 1920? I’m not going to comment on the health effects of over-dressing – I’m not a medical expert (maybe you are?) – but I attended a military academy event once – the kids were on the field in their hot dress uniforms, on a very hot day, and they were dropping like flies – an ambulance had to be kept nearby – and these were young, very healthy people.

otto22:

The fact that “everyone” wears casual clothes doesn’t mean much – there are an awful lot of people using drugs and living in various sinful situations – that certainly is not a reason for us to imitate them.

That’s irrelevant – wearing clothes appropriate to the season is not the same as doing illegal drugs. The former is just common sense, the latter is dumb.

otto22:

And to say that “Jesus cares what’s on the inside, not the outside” may be true, but what is important at mass concerning our appearance is what we think of Jesus – how much respect we have for him. One’s dress while visiting an important person is a sign of respect. No one is more important than Our Lord. It may not be wrong to wear jeans, but it is not appearing at one’s best in the presence of the King and Lord of the Universe.

I’m just not getting it – how does wearing clothing appropriate to the season indicate that we don’t respect Jesus? You mean, one can only show respect to our Savior by wearing a particular style of western European clothing, in heavy wool? Our Catholic friends in the Caribbean, Africa, and other hot climates might find that startling. Last Sunday, I wore a lightweight summer sweater and skirt to Mass – would I have been more respectful in a heavy-weight wool suit?

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******Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[Nan_S]

It’s a regional thing. Roll with it, and when you travel don’t let it get you excited. We’re at Mass to worship Him, not to gawk at clothes.

My brother lives in New York. We live in Louisiana.

Kids here wear jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sandals, and tennis shoes to church, and nobody blinks. Adults do, too. I’ve even seen the altar servers wearing flip-flops. If the kids regularly show up for mass, participate respectfully, and are wearing clean clothes in good repair, we all get along fine.

My daughter visited my New York brother. She ran out to the car just in time to go to Mass wearing the same jeans and t-shirt that she was accustomed to wearing in Louisiana (no time to change - they had to choose between letting her go “as is” or making everyone late). She almost caused a major scandal, and I heard about it for a long time afterwards.

 

[mike182d]

CarolAnnSFO:

I’m just not getting it – how does wearing clothing appropriate to the season indicate that we don’t respect Jesus?

If you were going to meet the Queen of England tomorrow, would you dress up? Why?

 

[Giannawannabe]

I say wear your best for The Lord. If that is a pair of jeans, so be it. If you have nicer clothes, then they should be worn to Mass.

 

[JKirkLVNV]

mike182d:

If you were going to meet the Queen of England tomorrow, would you dress up? Why?

Again, Our Lord transcends this kind of thing. He’s beyond it. It is not an absolute lack of reverence to wear jeans nor is it absolutely necessary to wear a suit and tie to Mass.

I’ve taught in two diffent schools, one on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico and the other in a neighborhood that was overwhelmingly Hispanic (from Mexico). When either group “dressed up,” they dressed in nice jeans and shirts, with highly polished cowboy boots in the case of the men or they wore shirts similar to the one depicted above. Never have I seen a coat and tie.

I suggest that if people wish to wear suits and ties, they be permitted to do so. If they don’t wish to do so, they should likewise be permitted. I also suggest that people try to concentrate more on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass than on what their neighbor is wearing.

 

[CarolAnnSFO]

mike182d:

If you were going to meet the Queen of England tomorrow, would you dress up? Why?

I’d probably wear the same sweater and skirt I wore to Mass last week – it’s about the fanciest thing I own. I don’t own any ball gowns or expensive fancy suits; the discount stores I can afford to shop in don’t carry them. You’ll have to cut me some slack there, as I don’t have a hubby bringing in a second salary.

And you can bet your life on this – if it was hot in London, then not even for the queen would I wear a heavy wool suit with everything buttoned right up to the neck – and I don’t think the queen would expect me to.

But that’s a little irrelevant, anyway – I don’t travel in the kind of social circles that ever get to meet the queen!

But somehow, the reasoning seems to be that because “people wore this in the past” we’re automatically supposed to wear it today. So people wore heavy wool suits in 95 degree weather in 1920. Well, what is so sacred about the year 1920? Why not go back to 1870, and dress like Ma and Pa Ingalls? Or for that matter, we could go back to the 1700s, and men could wear those velvet breeches, tights, and lace ruffles again. Or, we could go back to 2000 BC and wear bearskins. OK, that’s silly, but I’m just pointing out that a style of clothing appropriate to one time and place shouldn’t necessarily be the standard for another time and place.

The world covers a lot of cultures and a lot of climates. Are we Amercians the only people silly enough to have adopted a mode of dressy attire that is totally unsuited to the weather? If yes, we should be asking ourselves “why?” Is this some sort of strange way to gain brownie points? I don’t know…

---

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****Carrier of the Angelic Sparkles Sprinkle Bag

 

[BayCityRickL]

James Ch. 2 hasn’t been cited here, or I missed it.

It seems to say there that it is not wrong to dress up or down, so much, as it is wrong to judge others regarding what they wear.

I saw a visiting Franciscan priest wear jeans and sandals under his vestments in a wealthy parish, which throws the thread in another direction than the black-or-white-ness of the question.

Is it just my parish, or do you notice people who are more dressed up usually sitting towards the altar, where more casually dressed people are farther back, as a generalization?

 

[Nan_S]

BayCityRickL:

James Ch. 2 hasn’t been cited here, or I missed it.
It seems to say there that it is not wrong to dress up or down, so much, as it is wrong to judge others regarding what they wear.

The message I get from James 2 says that both the rich and the poor men were bringing themselves “the best that they could”, which is generally what Jesus wants. But the rich man’s “best” also showed his selfishness, and how short-sighted we are to focus on worldly wealth.

I saw a visiting Franciscan priest wear jeans and sandals under his vestments in a wealthy parish, which throws the thread in another direction than the black-or-white-ness of the question.

Aren’t Franciscans supposed to shun wealthy trappings anyway? I’d be more taken aback to see a Franciscan wearing fancy clothes and jewelry with his robe.

 

[prophetdaniel]

Are lectors, altar servers, or basically anyone who can been seen serving in a ministry during Mass forbidden to wear jeans?

 

[CatholicCid]

prophetdaniel:

Are lectors, altar servers, or basically anyone who can been seen serving in a ministry during Mass forbidden to wear jeans?

I believe that would be decided upon the celebrating Priest… As if he allows it at the Mass… Then you’d have to go to his Superior…

Last Mass, I attended in a worn pair of wind breakers and an old t-shirt… I was quite embarrased to attend like that though, as I was going to the gym and realized they had Confession at that time, so went… ran out of time and the Priest told me to stay and wait till after Mass… so I did…
Sat in back and zipped up a fleece jacket… Glad the Church had a/c

 

[mlchance]

alessandro:

Still, it is best to dress up. I believe it shows respect to God and our Faith.

If that is how you show your respect, then, by all means dress up. If that is not how someone shows their respect, then leave them alone. Wearing jeans to Church is not meant as an act of disrespect, and it is improper to assume otherwise.

Repeat after me: “The only conscience I am supposed to examine is my own.”

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[mercygate]

prophetdaniel:

Are lectors, altar servers, or basically anyone who can been seen serving in a ministry during Mass forbidden to wear jeans?

In my blue-collar parish in suburban metro New York those accepting appointments to serve in ministry are asked not to wear jeans when they serve.

The Sunday “dress code” for women is modest skirts or dresses/blouses with sleeves. Suits are common. Slacks are allowed. Men are expected (weather permitting) to wear jacket and tie. Sport coat and slacks are acceptable, although many wear suits. In the summer, we let up a little. Men may wear khakis and polo shirts (though most do not because we’re air conditioned). Women may serve in khakis and oxford cloth shirts or culottes (sometimes without stockings – ew!) and simple short sleeved tops. To my mind, our lay ministers are unpretentious but respectful. You don’t see bra straps, lycra, tank tops or shorts of any description (on either gender) on the altar.

A seasoned reader told me she never comes to Mass unprepared to read nor dressed in a way that would discredit the ministry, just in case she might be needed ad hoc. I thought that was a sensitive and penitential view of the matter: as a commissioned minister of the Church, she is always prepared to serve without advance notice.

 

[kaymart]

Heat, lack of funds ect. is not a reason to dress like a slob. A person can wear a nice golf shirt for example, even a PLAIN t-shirt(no beer or rude sayings) or a woman can wear a light yet covering shift type dress or LONGER skorts and a light blouse or even some of those looser leg (not the tight “peg bundy” style) capri’s all these items can be bought at a Target or Walmart or Kmart. under $20.00, some even cheaper. The point is to look your best possible to Church. As many said before, you would not meet the President wearing worn out jeans and a budweiser shirt or a lady would never wear a tube top and mini skirt.

 

[masondoggy]

I often wear jeans to church, not because I want to. But because sometimes that’s all I have to wear. With fluctuating weight due to 3 pregnancies, etc., most of the time I can’t afford to go buy clothes. I struggle to keep together a halfway decent wardrobe.

So, keep that in mind if it bothers you to see someone at Mass in jeans. They may not have anything else to wear.

 

[jegow]

Ham1:

Clearly, there is nothing immoral with wearing jeans to Church. However, I would say that in our culture jeans are too casual for Mass. In current society, commonly accepted business attire does not include jeans. You don’t show up in a business environment in jeans. You don’t go to a dinner party in jeans. You probably shouldn’t wear your jeans to Mass either. One’s attire at Mass should be a notch above the attire worn to mow the lawn or attend a baseball game.

Exactly! I also think that when jeans are discussed that all forms of dress at Church in general should be too. It has so much to do with reverence for where we are and what we are doing at Mass. The other thing about clothes that I want to bring up is how many of the women dress now. Such immodest clothing makes it really distracting sometimes for the men to pray. So if we are going to pick on jeans – which I think we should – we should also be picking on women’s clothing such as tank tops, shirts 3 sizes too small for their bodies, mini skirts, tight jeans, short shorts and etc. A man’s mind should be drawn toward God during the Mass and not to the body of the scantly clad woman sitting a pew or two in front of him.