What about dress code

[PetersBride]

Addendum to my earlier post:

I forgot to mention in my earlier quote that most women (at least 75%) wear a head covering at mass. I do, as well.

Best,
PetersBride

Hi all,

I was concerned about what to wear when I first began attending Latin mass 2 years ago. I noticed that people where somewhat of a range of clothing on Sundays.

In one particular family, the women/girls wear small print dresses, long in length, dressing, in what is considered nowadays, ‘quite conservatively’. Most women at mass wear either dresses or skirts and blouses/tops. In the summer heat some come with short-sleeves. Men mostly either wear chinos and a polo shirt or a suit. There are some folks who come in jeans, but only a handful.

I, myself, wear skirts with a top covered by a cotton sweater or jacket or a dress. My husband wears chino pants and a polo shirt. He used to wear a jacket, but when he realized other men did not necessairly wear one, he was pleased to stop.

Overall, most people make an effort to dress up. Hope this helps!

 

[thequeen]

I don’t go to Mass to people-watch, so I don’t know what most other people wear. I’m either watching the priest, or have my head bowed in prayer. To my knowledge, my parish doesn’t have an official dress code.

I wear whatever is convenient–if I go to Eucharistic Adoration right after work, I’m wearing my work clothes (dress pants and a nice shirt) because I don’t have time to change. If I go on my way to/from the farm, I wear jeans and the nicest shirt I have that I don’t care if it gets ruined or torn. Sundays I usually wear dress pants, but if I’m on my way elsewhere that requires outdoorsy-type work, I might wear jeans.

I always wear a headscarf in public, not just to Mass. I keep all of my hair covered.

I see nothing disrepectful about a nice pair of jeans.

Miz

I am with you I see nothing wrong with a nice pair of jeans especially if you are coming from a farm I go to receive Christ in the eucharist I feel as long as you are dressed modestly and not showing alot of skin then whatever you are wearing is fine we dress very casually at my parish however I do go once amonth to a tridentine mass and there I do wear a dress or skirt and top and a headcovering out of respect because every one else there does

 

[janderobinson]

"The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has a Vatican protocol primer that walks people through what is considered the proper dress code.

For men: black or dark suit, aka business attire, with a dark tie.

For women: black skirt or dress that reaches at least the knees, black top with mid- to long-sleeves, no pants, simple jewelry, dark closed-toe shoes, and a black hat or veil is optional."

Nothing about panty hose.

Female royalty, at one time, wore white rather than black. Not sure if this is still the case, nor what the origin of this practice might have been. Any info?

 

[Student09]

I think there are probably two main reasons we “fight” over everything:

What was once taught as expected behavior is no longer being taught either at home or in church;

Since the advent of VII there has been a relaxing of customs and codes so there is now considerable confusion over what is proper and little clarification has come forth from our teachers and shepherds, the Bishops.

No offense intended. I agree that it is good to talk it out and walk through the confusion, nor did I mean to indict everyone in the thread. What saddens me is things like angry accusations of hypocrisy/racism/class prejudice arising from something as simple as people’s views on clothing. Mainly, I was responding to the OP who seemed disconcerted. If I went about it badly, I apologize.

 

[atassina]

Please describe to me in concrete detail why casual clothing is against the virtue of modesty?

 

[Tomkinst]

I try not to make judgements about clothing–jeans versus slacks. Golf shirts versus dress shirts. Some folks may not have the benefits, of clothing choices. Some may be on their way to work, etc. But I am disheartened when I see shorts and revealing clothing–things I would never have let my children purchase and bring home let alone where to church or anywhere in public.

Sometimes, it is not all *dressing down *either. A priest of my youth once told us, “If you are wearing something to church to bring notice to yourself, it probably should be left in your closet for a more appropriate occassion.”

On a fishing trip to the Bishop, CA area, my son and I showed up for Sunday Mass in jeans and flannel-type shirts. We were immediately taken back by how well everyone was dressed. We, and a few others, were standing out because of our vacation wear. The priest after his homily thanked the parishoners for dressing respectfully for the worship service. I brought dress slacks and a nice shirt on my next fishing trip. He set the tone and the parish responded.

 

[MarkThompson]

I am with you I see nothing wrong with a nice pair of jeans especially if you are coming from a farm I go to receive Christ in the eucharist I feel as long as you are dressed modestly and not showing alot of skin then whatever you are wearing is fine we dress very casually at my parish however I do go once amonth to a tridentine mass and there I do wear a dress or skirt and top and a headcovering out of respect because every one else there does

I personally don’t care what you wear, but I’m curious: if you can wear the skirt and headcovering one week every month, why do you leave them at home the other three weeks? You mention respect, but whose respect, exactly, are you concerned about?

There are three general possibilities: (1) a person is trying to gain respect from the other massgoers by fitting in and looking pious, (2) a person is trying to show their respect for the other massgoers by honoring the prevailing customs of their little community, or (3) a person is trying to show respect for God.

 

[MarkThompson]

Female royalty, at one time, wore white rather than black. Not sure if this is still the case, nor what the origin of this practice might have been. Any info?

All the info you want is here.

 

[ohioszo]

I was just curious about other churches besides the one I attended. The church I went to didn’t really seem to have a dress code except for no tank tops. what is the dress code like at you church? do any of you wear the hair covering?

People should ask themselves what they should wear in front of the Blessed Sacrament, within the Chapel. When the Eucharist is served, everyone feels transended anyway. But, praying before the Sacrament exposed, with barefeet for instance, as someone did tonight, seems disrespectful. Our clothing should be our demeanors, as well. Disrespectful ways are never/should never be at church. The self same woman told me that God was telling her to correct me about something … this thinking that God is their personal God, without regard for others, is not the right kind of clothing either.

 

[Being_Brave]

I don’t know of an actual dress code in my parish. To be honest I’ve seen tank tops with flip flops, and high heels with lace dresses worn by members of the same family walking in together. Some come in from the midnight shift (like me) wearing work clothes, uniforms, or BDU’s (I live near an army base). It’s always nice to see people making an effort to show respect by dressing nicely, but I think that it’s more important that they are attending mass.

 

[Springkeeper]

Female royalty, at one time, wore white rather than black. Not sure if this is still the case, nor what the origin of this practice might have been. Any info?

Winnie Mendela showed up to meet the Pope dressed entirely in bright white lace and her outfit was considered to be incorrect (from what I could find white can be worn by only Catholic kings, queens and other reigning Catholic royalty.). Raisha Gorbachev dressed in a bright red suit and that didn’t go over well either.

One of the Fundamentalists I read stated it is a 4,000 year old tradition stating:“Illuminist Symbolism Dating Back 4,000 Years! White/Black Dress Symbolism Says That The Pope Is God And The Rulers of the Earth Acknowledge It”." cephas-library.com/catholic/catholic_what_did_john_paul_2_funeral_reveal.html Since there is usually a grain of truth in even fanatical anti-whatevers I would guess that the tradition came about because the Pope is the vicar of Christ and Catholics acknowledge that but Protestants do not. White used to be reserved for royalty (maybe they were the only ones that could keep it clean )

 

[GaryTaylor]

As child we were always taught to get dressed up and look neat and presentable. Time has changed and has the economy.

While I still believe you should be clean and presentable. I’ll take your presence over all that any day of the week. JUST COME!

Holes in your sneakers, ripped pants. and dirty clothing? Yes, its difficult and may very well be the only thing owned by a individual to wear? Whats more important is that you come!

 

[Springkeeper]

I like this:
“Clothes say something about what we think, what we value. They also influence how we behave and feel. That our culture has become so casual about everything says something about us. I cannot exactly articulate it but it seems to say, “nothing is really all that important.” But that is not true. Going to God’s house IS important. Being ministered to by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is astounding. Casual attire in these circumstances is simply inappropriate if we really think about what we are doing, where we are going and who it is we will meet. It does not necessarily follow that we must wear tuxedos and formal gowns. But decent semi-formal attire seems wholly appropriate. Sunday is special, God’s House is special. Some things really ARE important and our clothing and demeanor ought to reflect this truth.” blog.adw.org/2010/05/adore-the-lord-in-holy-attire-on-proper-dress-for-mass/

We will all be judged by God one day. He alone truly knows our hearts and minds. If I were to spend my time during Mass criticising others lack of formality (I don’t) then I will be judged for that. Conversely, if anyone were to spend time in Mass wearing casual attire and thinking that they are more holy than the more formally dressed people, they will have to answer for that as well.

One of the great things about a mantilla is that you can’t see others on the side of you so what they wear is not a distraction.

 

[Onegin]

This is directed towards those who find that jeans/t-shirts and the like are appropriate clothing for Mass (not including a one-off event where changing in time for Mass isn’t possible):

Have a drive past your local Lutheran church one Sunday as the service is letting out. Compare the attire of the people leaving the church with that of the people leaving the nearby Catholic (non-TLM) parish. 9 times out of 10 the difference will be palpable.

So - why is it that the Lutherans (and other protestant denominations) whom we already know do not have the Real Presence, still manage to dress nicer for what they see as simply a community worship event and Catholics - whom are supposed to believe that Christ is Truly Present in the Most Holy Eucharist at each Mass - cannot seem to get their act together?

Dressing nicely isn’t a personal, subjective thing. That argument is nonsense. Dressing appropriately (read: nicely) is an outward, palpable sign of respect for where you are and what is going on. It is no different than genuflecting in front of the Tabernacle or kneeling during the Consecration or addressing a Priest as Father. *You do it because you should. *

Also, the argument that people don’t own anything better is nonsense. Unless you’re legitimately homeless (and even then, some of the modern fashions can’t distinguish between this “look” anyhow) the VAST majority of people can afford 1 nice outfit for church. If you can afford to wear nice jeans to the club on weekends, you can afford a skirt for Mass. If you can afford a nice shirt and tie for a job interview, you can afford it for Mass. The percentage of people that show up in jeans and T-shirts can afford something nicer and probably do, in fact, already own something nicer. They just choose not to wear it.

Quit pandering to subjectivism - it’s just another excuse.

 

[benny_f]

We don’t have a dress code unless you consider wearing your “Sunday Best” a standard of dress.

It’s ridiculous but when I was much younger I dreaded going to Mass because I couldn’t afford to buy anything but jeans and maybe a sweater. I was embarrassed I couldn’t afford formal clothes and didn’t even want to attend Mass. I don’t anymore, because I believe that as long as I cover myself up i.e. no skirts, low cut tops, e.t.c…I’m not doing any harm.

Aside from that because I wear casual clothes to Church, I’m not getting caught up in deciding what to wear for Mass, like other members who definitively dress to impress when attending Mass.

I do take exception though to the clothes some teenagers wear, even if I am a teenager myself. There is a certain element of, I need to impress my friends.

Definitively need to re-evaluate what Mass means to people in Ireland, because I certainly think we’ve lost touch a long time ago.

 

[eiram]

Hello,

It was great that someone posted a website that (when opened) shows THE SIGN that is posted out side of St Peter’s Basicila in Vatican City. There are pictures on it showing both men and women what is “PROPER” dress if they want to go into the house of God. The only words are NO for improper dressing and YES for proper dressing. Plus, there are men standing at the top of the stairs to STOP anyone who totally IGNORE the sign.

I have been there and actually saw a woman be turned away because of what she was wearing. I was so happy that she was turned away, but she was clueless and up-set because she was turned away. She was wearing: long pants and a short sleeves sweater that was so shear that I could “see” the little bow on her BRA ! She was clueless that everyone that looked at her could see her bra, plain as day.

I have spoken to a good number of young adults in the area I live in and they have told me that their parents never talked to them about what to wear to church. To them, it was “good enough” just going to church to get it over with. With that type of attitude, I’m not surprised that many young adults could care less what they wear to Mass.

In all fairness though, recently, I have started seeing some young adults starting to dress more respectfully to attend Mass. God works in mysterous ways that we humans don’t understand.

Thank you for reading this,

Eiram

 

[MarysGirls]

So, I used to want to just wear jeans to Mass (cuz JESUS takes me as I am and all). My parents were totally against it. My mom taught me to ask myself this when I am deciding if something is nice enough for Mass: If I were going see the queen of England, what would I wear? Don’t know about you, but I would probably wear the nicest thing I have. That’s just the queen of England. Now, time to go see the King of kings.

Of course, if the best thing you have is jeans and a t-shirt, I’m sure JESUS would rather you come as you are, than not come at all.

 

[giuseppeTO]

Of course, if the best thing you have is jeans and a t-shirt, I’m sure JESUS would rather you come as you are, than not come at all.

If the best you have is jeans and a tee shirt and you also have a cell phone, iPOD, and TV, then I would say that the jeans are not good enough.

I would ask this: if your best friend or sibling asked you to be the maid of honor or best man at their wedding, what are the odds that you will say “Look, all I have is a tee shirt and jeans so you will have to take me as I am if you love me…”

Or would you figure out a way, whatever it took, to dress appropriately?

So, if you believe that Christ is truly present in Body, Soul, and Divinity at Mass, why would you not afford the same respect that would to a friend?

 

[archangel04]

If the best you have is jeans and a tee shirt and you also have a cell phone, iPOD, and TV, then I would say that the jeans are not good enough.

I would ask this: if your best friend or sibling asked you to be the maid of honor or best man at their wedding, what are the odds that you will say “Look, all I have is a tee shirt and jeans so you will have to take me as I am if you love me…”

Or would you figure out a way, whatever it took, to dress appropriately?

So, if you believe that Christ is truly present in Body, Soul, and Divinity at Mass, why would you not afford the same respect that would to a friend?

Yep thrift stores have a lot of nice decent clothes for very very cheap, I don’t think there is any excuse to go to mass looking like a bum, unless you are really a poor person that lives on the street.

 

[atassina]

I’m still waiting for someone to give a reasoned defense of why jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt are immodest, a style of dress that opposes virtue.