What is your "Sunday Best"?

[Bonnie]

Ties are a very odd piece of clothing. Its interesting how widespread in the world they became, due to western influence, as they’re truly worthless and if you ponder them, odd.

But they can be very decorative. Depending on style, fabric type, color, & design, they can be casual, very proper, or in between. Certainly an improvement on the 70s fashion of low cut shirts (on men) with gold chains.

Regis Philbin looked very classy in his color-coordinated suits and ties.

 

[sscott]

Sunday best would be what you would wear if you were meeting the president of your country or the Queen in the afternoon. I know most don’t dress up this way anymore, but that’s what my father always said when I didn’t want to bother to change. That’s a little old fashion now. I don’t dress as much either, but I wouldn’t wear anything torn or immodest.

 

[CradleJourney]

My rule for my family’s attire for mass is simple - would it draw attention?

If so - then it’s a no.

I’ve refused to let my dd wear a fancy holiday dress because it wasn’t a holiday and would draw attention. I’ve refused to let my ds wear things with stains or rips for the same reason (disrespectful clothing would get noticed in our parish).

Sometimes they wear shirts with collars - sometimes not. Sometimes skirts or dress pants - sometimes nice jeans.

Like I said - is what they are wearing (or the way they are wearing it) going to stand out in such a way (positive or negative) that it would distract attention from the mass - if so, then it’s a no. Otherwise, it’s whatever’s clean, comfy, and weather appropriate.

 

[Tigg]

Sunday best would be what you would wear if you were meeting the president of your country or the Queen in the afternoon. I know most don’t dress up this way anymore, but that’s what my father always said when I didn’t want to bother to change. That’s a little old fashion now. I don’t dress as much either, but I wouldn’t wear anything torn or immodest.

I think we need to guard against the culture driven agenda, which these days, seems to be the “grunge” look and showing lots of skin. I don’t care about the old fashion part; I merely dress to show respect for the Lord.

 

[tomarin]

I think we need to guard against the culture driven agenda, which these days, seems to be the “grunge” look and showing lots of skin. I don’t care about the old fashion part; I merely dress to show respect for the Lord.

Grunge is a little outdated, isn’t it? I mean, early 90’s, Kurt Cobain, etc.?

 

[Tigg]

Grunge is a little outdated, isn’t it? I mean, early 90’s, Kurt Cobain, etc.?

I actually had to look up who Kurt Cobain was.

I already told you - I’m not known for my fashion (or musical) sense.

 

[tomarin]

It’s been funny to watch the neck-tie go in the past twenty years or so from necessary requirement of business dress to the accessory of the young urban dandy alone.

 

[tomarin]

I actually had to look up who Kurt Cobain was.

I already told you - I’m not known for my fashion (or musical) sense.

that’s perfectly okay with me.

 

[Sy_Noe]

By casual I mean that people at that Mass are dressed casually, not that it’s an unimportant occasion.

See, I’m convinced that God doesn’t care what fabric my pants are made of when I present myself to Him, as long as they are modest and neat. Being modest, neat and clean is what shows respect in my view, not the fabric of a garment. I’ve heard the analogy of dressing up for other events in life, such as dinner with the President. Yes, I will dress up if it’s expected of me, but I would be doing it for other people at that event who care about these things and would otherwise feel offended or disrespected. I think God transcends beyond our clothing.

The whole dressing up analogy “in the presence of the President or Pope so why not for Christ” never was one to sway me anyway. And then just the other day on EWTN I saw the Holy Father in a Q&A with a group of rather young people dressed casually and I figured there ya go. Even the Pope doesn’t care.

 

[tomarin]

The whole dressing up analogy “in the presence of the President or Pope so why not for Christ” never was one to sway me anyway. And then just the other day on EWTN I saw the Holy Father receiving a group of people dressed casually and I figured there ya go. Even the Pope doesn’t care.

It’s not really meeting the Pope but the formality of the setting, I’d say. I wouldn’t mind meeting the Pope dressed the way I normally do. He’s a down-to-earth guy.

 

[Sy_Noe]

I go to Church in whatever I’m wearing that day. I don’t think God would mind what I’m wearing as long as I attend, have prayerful thoughts, and what I’m wearing is not distracting for others… although having said this, my Mum always makes an effort to dress nice for Church.

You know, I used to attend a Protestant service frequently and always felt most people dressed a little too showy… kinda like going to Ascot Races on ladies day. Btw, this was just an observation with that particular church congregation.

Amen. My outside attire is whatever I’m wearing too. And typically on occasions when I attend it’s a Sat vigil and often I’m in shorts and sneakers that day. For Sun Mass too because then I’m already dressed for my day. So are a lot of others at one parish I’ve attended. Attire runs the gamut there. From dressy to casual. I’ve even seen flip flops. And no one seems to care. I could never be part of a parish where dress shirt and tie were expected. When church shopping I once had a PCUSA pastor tell me men at his congregation wore jackets shirts and ties. I can’t do that. It’s not my outer style and I believe what’s on the inside is what God cares about. Working on what’s in our hearts is what’s best I believe to God’s eyes.

 

[Whipstock]

Sunday best would be what you would wear if you were meeting the president of your country or the Queen in the afternoon. I know most don’t dress up this way anymore, but that’s what my father always said when I didn’t want to bother to change. That’s a little old fashion now. I don’t dress as much either, but I wouldn’t wear anything torn or immodest.

Says who? I know your view is a convenient one put forth by some, but why?

 

[Whipstock]

The whole dressing up analogy “in the presence of the President or Pope so why not for Christ” never was one to sway me anyway. And then just the other day on EWTN I saw the Holy Father in a Q&A with a group of rather young people dressed casually and I figured there ya go. Even the Pope doesn’t care.

Very well said. I appeared in court yesterday as a technical (engineering) expert witness. I dressed the part: conservative navy blue suit, white dress shirt, tie and polished black brogues. It was entirely appropriate for that setting. Do I necessarily think that’s what I would want to be wearing around my bishop or if I had the good fortune to meet the Pope? Nope, not necessarily.

 

[Yeoman]

It’s been funny to watch the neck-tie go in the past twenty years or so from necessary requirement of business dress to the accessory of the young urban dandy alone.

Not alone. At least in some location, ties for male attorneys are required for court appearances.

 

[Yeoman]

Very well said. I appeared in court yesterday as a technical (engineering) expert witness. I dressed the part: conservative navy blue suit, white dress shirt, tie and polished black brogues. It was entirely appropriate for that setting. Do I necessarily think that’s what I would want to be wearing around my bishop or if I had the good fortune to meet the Pope? Nope, not necessarily.

Appearing in a secular civil cause in court requires a more formal set of clothing that meeting a Bishop or the Pope?

 

[Song_Sparrow]

Actually making it to church, honestly.

 

[garn9173]

Kahki shorts and a polo during the warm months, jeans and a polo or long sleeve shirt during the cooler months.

 

[Tigg]

Amen. My outside attire is whatever I’m wearing too. And typically on occasions when I attend it’s a Sat vigil and often I’m in shorts and sneakers that day. For Sun Mass too because then I’m already dressed for my day. So are a lot of others at one parish I’ve attended. Attire runs the gamut there. From dressy to casual. I’ve even seen flip flops. And no one seems to care. I could never be part of a parish where dress shirt and tie were expected. When church shopping I once had a PCUSA pastor tell me men at his congregation wore jackets shirts and ties. I can’t do that. It’s not my outer style and I believe what’s on the inside is what God cares about. Working on what’s in our hearts is what’s best I believe to God’s eyes.

Your argument doesn’t do too much for me. But I do understand the uppermost concern people have is for themselves. Perhaps God doesn’t really care what I wear to church after all, but He is looking at my inward motivation with my choices. If I don’t feel like wearing a skirt, but do so anyway because I believe it brings honor and respect to His Real Presence on the altar, then surely He recognizes my good intent by not wearing the blue jeans I’d much prefer. I don’t care what others wear as long as it’s clean and modest, but I must honor, with my outward appearance, the conviction God has put in my heart regarding the meaning of the Mass, His Action in the Mass and the sacredness of the liturgy itself.

"Take off your sandals, Moses, for the place you are standing is on holy ground."

 

[sudy]

You know, I’m honestly surprised at some of the responses. I’m really not looking to criticise what each person chooses to wear but do you honestly think God minds what you wear? Jesus calls the poor, the hungry, the homeless people to Him. He was criticised at one point for not washing.

Choose what you think is appropriate to wear but remember we must try to avoid looking down on those who are less well dressed or thinking others are wearing inappropriate clothing. Dressing up is not God’s way but man’s. As you all know, when the bible talks about washing your garments clean, it refers to your soul and confessing your sins, not your physical clothes.

Also, pease try to take my comment in the best light as I don’t want to be the one pointing at the splinter in my brother’s eye while having a plank in my own. I have enough sins to confess as it is.
God bless!

 

[Sy_Noe]

You know, I’m honestly surprised at some of the responses. I’m really not looking to criticise what each person chooses to wear but do you honestly think God minds what you wear? Jesus calls the poor, the hungry, the homeless people to Him. He was criticised at one point for not washing.

Choose what you think is appropriate to wear but remember we must try to avoid looking down on those who are less well dressed or thinking others are wearing inappropriate clothing. Dressing up is not God’s way but man’s. As you all know, when the bible talks about washing your garments clean, it refers to your soul and confessing your sins, not your physical clothes.

Also, pease try to take my comment in the best light as I don’t want to be the one pointing at the splinter in my brother’s eye while having a plank in my own. I have enough sins to confess as it is.
God bless!

I’m not surprised. I’ve read other attire threads on CAF. But well said. And Song Sparrow too on saying “making it to church, honestly”. God bless you too.