Like other places of worship, churches are hallowed ground, deserving reverence from visitors, including those from other faiths. Although Christianity has existed for thousands of years, acceptable clothing remains a subject of debate among the religion’s billions of followers. That’s why Catholics, Orthodox Christians and Protestants dress differently when attending Mass. Use this guide to learn what to wear when dressing for church.
Ask About Dress Codes
The New Testament hardly says which garments are appropriate and inappropriate for worship. While there are no hard and fast rules, the church you intend to visit may have a dress code.
Religious leaders may encourage mass attendees and casual visitors to dress a certain way to honor God. Some priests, ministers and pastors justify this by arguing that the Lord deserves everyone’s best appearance. Therefore, the local clergy may regulate people’s church attire decisions, recommending getups and banning indecorous apparel.
When entering Christian structures — such as basilicas, cathedrals, chapels, temples and meeting houses — to attend Mass or participate in a religious event for the first time, visit the church’s site or call its office to inquire about any dress code. Regardless of how you feel about it, observe and follow proper etiquette.
Christians visit places of worship to gain spiritual nourishment, not challenge the church leadership’s authority. Bickering over dress code policies can distract you from what matters — spending time with God, hearing readings from the Bible, singing hymns, receiving Communion at least once yearly and offering thanksgiving.
Besides, a dress code can eliminate ambiguity. For example, a church that openly says denim is permissible eases the uncertainty of whether you can or can’t wear jeans.
Value Modesty
“In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy. And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” – 1 Timothy 2:8-10
In the absence of a rigid guideline on dressing for church, self-regulate. As a rule of thumb, you shouldn’t dress to impress. Churches are places where people from various backgrounds come together as equal Christian community members, so dress up for the occasion. Your best bets are dressy casual, semi-formal and business casual.
For men, the safest options include:
- Casual button-down shirts
- Dress shirts
- Open-collar shirts
- Polo shirts
- Blazers
- Sport coats
- Dress pants
- Khakis
- Slacks
- Leather dress shoes
- Loafers
- Dark socks
For women, the ideal church clothes are:
- Cocktail dresses
- Sunday dresses
- Dressy tops
- Cardigans
- Long dressy skirts
- Ballet flats
- Boots
- Kitten heels
- Loafers
- Wedges
While the West has degendered fashion more extensively, looking like your biological sex is vital inside Christian places of worship. Although Jesus would have welcomed transgender individuals with love, compassion, respect and dignity, most church leaders frown upon androgyny.
If you’re a high-net-worth individual, create an outfit that screams humility. There’s a time and a place to wear something status-boosting — when going to church isn’t one of them. Your social position means nothing when inside the house of God.
Regarding accessories, wear something practical, like a watch, or something that rounds out your outfit. It should be as unassuming as the rest of the ensemble to keep a low profile.
Wear a Neutral Church Attire
The church isn’t a venue for self-expression. There’s nothing wrong about celebrate your individuality, but don something neutral to blend in with the crowd and avoid drawing unwanted attention.
Save outfits with graphic descriptions of things that may upset others for other occasions. Clothes with sexual or political statements, sports logos and pop culture references can be eyesores in places of worship.
That said, church apparel doesn’t need to be characterless. With creativity, you can still attend Mass in style. Experiment with colors and patterns — not to mention hairstyle — to balance highlighting your personality and dressing for church accordingly.
Be Comfortable
Comfort is physical and mental. Being worried of how others perceive you can ruin your experience inside the house of God. Having something on that makes you feel good puts you in a positive headspace when going to Mass.
When filling your wardrobe with church attire options, buy items you can wear confidently to keep your insecurities from occupying your mind. Shop in-store to try various garments and find suitable fabrics. Pick clothes that fit your body type and color-coordinate them to accentuate the features you want to highlight and hide those you wish to downplay.
However, your personal comfort shouldn’t cause discomfort in others. For instance, you can show some skin but think twice about wearing something too skimpy. It crosses the line between comfortable and distasteful.
If you insist on wearing something too revealing by conservative Christian standards, add an extra layer to cover yourself. A shawl or shrug can make a tank or crop top church-appropriate. Layering allows you to instantly transform your style when going somewhere else after Mass.
Think About Health and Safety
Dressing for church appropriately shouldn’t jeopardize your physical well-being. Some months may be wet or frigid weather depending on where you live. Church hardscape surfaces and floor sections can become slippery after a shower or snowfall.
More people get severely hurt due to falls than think. Slip-and-fall incidents hospitalize about 800,000 individuals yearly, causing head, brain, back and spinal cord injuries.
Considering the adverse health consequences of falls, wear non-slip footwear to prevent yourself from becoming a statistic. Style options may be limited, so plan your outfits around your slip-resistant shoes to look modest, comfortable and safe when celebrating your faith.
Moreover, protect yourself from the cold. Wear three layers of clothing and choose nylon, polyester or wool as the base fabric to keep you dry. The middle and outer layers must have insulating properties to keep you snug no matter how low the outside temperature drops.
Consider Local Sensibilities
Clothing etiquettes are generally cultural and local. If you’re new to an area and want to fit in, be missional — dress what ordinary people think is church-appropriate. Observing and following the crowd rarely backfires if you wish to attend Mass without causing controversy.
Dressing for Church Is Easy When You Get Your Priorities Straight
Choosing the appropriate attire is about eliminating as many distractions as possible that can interfere with your religious experience in a place of worship. Putting less importance on your personal preferences and conforming to the social norm should render decision-making easier. It’s a small sacrifice for the joy of going to church in peace.
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