church attire

[FireDragon76]

What do you think is appropriate attire for church?

I grew up with a coat and tie being normal for men, even in Florida heat. I've really noticed a tendency to dress down in recent years.

I once attended an Orthodox church a few times as an inquirer in downtown Orlando and priest insisted on people wearing long sleeve shirts. He also would rebuke anyone who sat too much during the service. On the other hand, I later went to an Orthodox Church that had more ex-evangelical Protestants and a lot of them dressed relatively casually, with khaki pants and polo shirts. The people that were cradle Orthodox who had family from the Old World tended to wear nicer clothing.

I myself usually would try to wear an old hand-me-down sports jacket and dress shoes, and it just seemed appropriate. I would even wear that except during the worst heat of summer. Then I would wear something like a tropical style dress shirt or guayabera (these aren't too rare in Florida) when it got really hot. For the year and a half or so that I went to an Independent Catholic church, that is also what I wore and it blended in fairly well as some of the people there wore that too: parts of the service were in Spanish (usually the Psalms were bilingual or the Agnus dei was a Spanish folk mass style "Cordero de Dios")

At my current ELCA church, the only people that wear jackets and ties are mostly the readers, or the few African American men we have. One husband and wife from Tanzania wear traditional clothing from their culture (the man wears a tropical style shirt, and the wife always covers her hair). In the recent past, I went to church at times wearing khaki pants and a hoodie or polo shirt, but I'd usually put on some nicer shoes. I really did not have a lot of dress clothes, having no need for them and I don't get the chance to do alot of shopping, nor do I have the money (I go to thrift stores when I can). However, I'd recently tried to rethink what I wear, since I officially joined the church a few months ago, and I've been trying to invest in better clothing. The casualness of a lot of people at church is offputting and it doesn't feel very "churchy" to me. I tried blending in for a while and it just left me feeling like I was treating church too casually.

 

[ExodusMe]

I wear a hoodie and jeans out of respect to poor people who cannot attend with fancy clothing (matthew 23:12)

 

[Willie T]

I think it is important to turn to the page in the Bible that states what is required to be worn when meeting with other Christians, and wear what it tells you to wear.

 

[Philip_B]

Colossians 3.12
As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.​

God would rather have you there in Board Shorts and T Shirt than miss the pleasure of your company. None the less I think there is value in exercising a level of respect for the other member of the congregation. I think the general standard for Anglican Worship in Australia might be descried as 'smart casual' recognising that how that is understood will be different in Melbourne to what that is in Darwin.

 

[faroukfarouk]

What do you think is appropriate attire for church?

I grew up with a coat and tie being normal for men, even in Florida heat. I've really noticed a tendency to dress down in recent years.

I once attended an Orthodox church a few times as an inquirer in downtown Orlando and priest insisted on people wearing long sleeve shirts. He also would rebuke anyone who sat too much during the service. On the other hand, I later went to an Orthodox Church that had more ex-evangelical Protestants and a lot of them dressed relatively casually, with khaki pants and polo shirts. The people that were cradle Orthodox who had family from the Old World tended to wear nicer clothing.

I myself usually would try to wear an old hand-me-down sports jacket and dress shoes, and it just seemed appropriate. I would even wear that except during the worst heat of summer. Then I would wear something like a tropical style dress shirt or guayabera (these aren't too rare in Florida) when it got really hot. For the year and a half or so that I went to an Independent Catholic church, that is also what I wore and it blended in fairly well as some of the people there wore that too: parts of the service were in Spanish (usually the Psalms were bilingual or the Agnus dei was a Spanish folk mass style "Cordero de Dios")

At my current ELCA church, the only people that wear jackets and ties are mostly the readers, or the few African American men we have. One husband and wife from Tanzania wear traditional clothing from their culture (the man wears a tropical style shirt, and the wife always covers her hair). In the recent past, I went to church at times wearing khaki pants and a hoodie or polo shirt, but I'd usually put on some nicer shoes. I really did not have a lot of dress clothes, having no need for them and I don't get the chance to do alot of shopping, nor do I have the money (I go to thrift stores when I can). However, I'd recently tried to rethink what I wear, since I officially joined the church a few months ago, and I've been trying to invest in better clothing. The casualness of a lot of people at church is offputting and it doesn't feel very "churchy" to me. I tried blending in for a while and it just left me feeling like I was treating church too casually.

I know what you mean. But also there are trends which can change in perception over the decades. For example, sometimes younger women women - and older - will wear denim jackets, which many decades back would have looked casual but today can look quite smart and restrained. It used to be also that women only wore earrings to church but today young men might do so also. So I think you have somewhat of a valid observation but it's hard also to make hard and fast rules, I think.

 

[FireDragon76]

I wear a hoodie and jeans out of respect to poor people who cannot attend with fancy clothing (matthew 23:12)

Is this really humble? People can spend money and attention on casual wear, after all, in this day and age. I remember kids doing this all the time in highschool, decades ago.

We can encounter God individually potentially anywhere, but is this really what corporate worship should be about- our own individual experience of God?.

 

[All4Christ]

My own personal opinion:

If I dress up for a meeting with my boss, for going out to a restaurant or to a special occasion, why not at least dress up some for going to a House of God - out of respect for our Lord and Savior?

This doesn't mean you have to wear a fancy dress or a tux, but I do think it is good to wear a respectful outfit...for an example - I tend to wear a modest skirt and blouse, for my husband a sports jacket (occasionally just a button down shirt) and dress pants (at times, nice khakis). For Vespers (Saturday night service), I may be more casual, but I still dress neatly and as well groomed as possible. It doesn't have to be an expensive set of clothing, but it is good to dress to the extent you can with your financial situation and wardrobe. There are some very low priced skirts and shirts...though I don't know prices for men I also think modest attire is important. I wouldn't want to wear a mini skirt or anything like that! I prefer knee length or lower when I am at church personally. No plunging necklines either.

 

[All4Christ]

Another personal opinion...

The same goes for bringing in food and drink to the sanctuary. Out of respect for God, I believe the only "food" that belongs in the sanctuary is the Eucharist or any food that is being blessed (i.e. koliva). Again, I'd say the same about texting or playing with a phone in church. (Yes, I know there are some helpful apps to use in church - and there can be valid uses for it, but generally speaking, it is a temptation for distraction). All our focus should be on worshipping Him.

I get the reasons behind it...but I still disagree with it.

 

[FireDragon76]

The younger vicar (a pastor without a congregational call) sometimes preaches using a tablet instead of pencil and paper for notes. The pastor a few months ago joked to me that St. Peter at the Pearly Gates should probably be depicted with an iPad as the Kingdom of God has no doubt caught up with the latest technology.

 

[All4Christ]

An example of modest yet inexpensive attire for women:

$35 full price (much less at a thrift store)



Dressing up modestly doesn't have to be expensive...in fact, it probably shouldn't be glamourous if we go by Scripture.

(Also, I use something like this in our Tradition, though it is a personal choice):

 

[All4Christ]

The younger vicar (a pastor without a congregational call) sometimes preaches using a tablet instead of pencil and paper for notes. The pastor a few months ago joked to me that St. Peter at the Pearly Gates should probably be depicted with an iPad as the Kingdom of God has no doubt caught up with the latest technology.

There is a use for it...but I think there can be abuse as well. I have debated using my tablet for all the Holy Thursday gospel readings! I probably will just use the service book though.

 

[ExodusMe]

Is this really humble? People can spend money and attention on casual wear, after all, in this day and age. I remember kids doing this all the time in highschool, decades ago.

We can encounter God individually potentially anywhere, but is this really what corporate worship should be about- our own individual experience of God?.

My point is that God cares about our heart; not what we wear to church. If you wear nice clothes good for you man, but do not judge me as if you know my desires. I could say wearing fancy clothing is self-righteous and only meant to puff yourself up, but that would be foolish because I don't know your intentions which is the error of your OP. You sound like you are judging your fellow members based on what they dress.

 

[FireDragon76]

My intention by wearing "nice" clothes is not to puff myself up, but to honor God.

I think All4Christ understands this, in some churches it's not just about "what's inside your heart", there's supposed to be a connection between what we feel in our hearts and what we do, and what we are nonverbally communicating about what we believe about God.

 

[ExodusMe]

That is great if you two want to honor God by wearing nice clothes.

Consider a different example. Imagine a very good looking individual that came from a materialistic background. They are later saved and find a type of hatred for who you used to be. Would this person be wrong to dress down in the congregation because of their past idolatry of materialism & looking beautiful all the time or whatever we want to call it?

I'll answer my own question. Absolutely not. It would be encouraged for them if it helps them not focus on how they look. So this person would then wear whatever they feel is 'appropriate' for church. Important point here *what they feel is entirely relative to the individual*.

A person can dress in jeans & a hoodie and feel like this is me respecting God because they want to honor poor people. A person could wear jeans & a hoodie because they want to be fashionable. A person could wear jeans & a hoodie because they want to respect the other members who also wear jeans & hoodie.

As Paul would say, you just have to wear it to the Glory of God.

Hope this helps

 

[FireDragon76]

Mostly, I was just wondering what are the norm for nice clothes now days, in traditional churches, so I am not engaged in undue vanity.

I actually wear a Luther Rose lapel pin a lot of the time now days at church, and I bought my partner a similar necklace as well. We are probably the only folks at church wearing something like that, but it's the 500th anniversary of Lutheran Reformation, so... I think that is appropriate. Other people are celebrating that in their own way (some are even going around with little plastic Martin Luther images and doing cellphone "selfies" of Luther at various places). Again, it's about communicating gratitude, not pride.

 

[ExodusMe]

Yeah funny story. My wife gets to dress up before church. I mostly hang out with our infant daughter. I get like 10 minutes to change into something and get ready. I know I offend people in my jeans & hoodie as we attend a baptist service where the majority are elderly people, but hey that is what community is for. To shine a light on our weakness and move towards the love of Jesus.

 

[gordonhooker]

I believe there is a lot more we should be focusing on in this broken world then what the person sitting next to us in church is wearing.

 

[FireDragon76]

I believe there is a lot more we should be focusing on in this broken world then what the person sitting next to us in church is wearing.

That picky priest I mentioned earlier, at the downtown Orthodox church here in Orlando, has a reputation for defying the ethic of this city; that homeless people should be invisible and even criminalized. So I think that is an example of how emphasizing dress and decorum isn't incompatible with caring about a broken world.

 

[gordonhooker]

That picky priest I mentioned earlier, at the downtown Orthodox church here in Orlando, has a reputation for defying the ethic of this city; that homeless people should be invisible and even criminalized. So I think that is an example of how emphasizing dress and decorum isn't incompatible with caring about a broken world.

I will leave that with you...

 

[seeking.IAM]

My own personal opinion:

If I dress up for a meeting with my boss, for going out to a restaurant or to a special occasion, why not at least dress up some for going to a House of God - out of respect for our Lord and Savior?...

This is so much how I think, I could have written it myself.

Immodest clothing aside, I personally do not care what others wear to church. I suspect God does not care either. As for myself, however, I consider it an issue of personal devotion and respect. I dress in suit and tie for work. So I think if I dress for a meeting with key stakeholders of my business, I should also dress when going to meet the King of Kings. Who among us would show up in casual attire if invited to a state dinner at the White House? Dressing for church is my choice, and I tend to do so even when visiting churches where I stand out as over-dressed in comparison to the rest of the crowd. It doesn't mean others have to do that, but it is what I do.

A cute story: when I was first married I was invited to go pheasant hunting with my wife's grandfather. When I saw him putting on a tie, I thought our hunt was canceled. My wife explained, "He always wears a tie when he pheasant hunts to honor the bird."