Culture Clash: Dress Down vs Dress Up

[J.D.]

I had a personal encounter recently with the dress-down vs dress-up culture war.

I attended and preached at the funeral of an in-law who was of the dress down variety. BTW I don't mean that disrespectfully.

As we began dressing (there were many of us in the same house) for the services, a clear split became apparent as some of the family put on jeans and others put on dress clothes.

Fortunately, no arguing broke out over the issue, but some polite conversation did take place. The bottom line was that the dress-downers dressed down because "that's what we do", and the dress-up'ers dressed up because "that what we do".

What do you think? Is wearing jeans and tennis shoes to church okay? If so, why do some people insist on dressing up?

 

[Servent]

I had a personal encounter recently with the dress-down vs dress-up culture war.

I attended and preached at the funeral of an in-law who was of the dress down variety. BTW I don't mean that disrespectfully.

As we began dressing (there were many of us in the same house) for the services, a clear split became apparent as some of the family put on jeans and others put on dress clothes.

Fortunately, no arguing broke out over the issue, but some polite conversation did take place. The bottom line was that the dress-downers dressed down because "that's what we do", and the dress-up'ers dressed up because "that what we do".

What do you think? Is wearing jeans and tennis shoes to church okay? If so, why do some people insist on dressing up?

I wear jeans & tennis shoes because thats all I have.

 

[J.D.]

I wear jeans & tennis shoes because thats all I have.

If you had something more dressy, would you wear it?

 

[swaimj]

The church I attend has membars who dress in more formal attire (suits & ties for men and dresses for ladies) and we have members who come in jeans and t-shirts. I have never heard anything about dress said from the pulpit (except for modesty) and I have never heard a member say anything about dress in private after over two years attending and over 1.5 as a member. Thank God for the unity. This is as it should be.

 

[webdog]

If you had something more dressy, would you wear it?

Not to church. Our church is a casual environment.

 

[J.D.]

Not to church. Our church is a casual environment.

Here's a question for you, and I'm not trying to rile you, but here's how it was put to me: Don't your children think you're a hypocrit when you tell them how serious church is but they see you dressing cassualy to it?

 

[preachinjesus]

What do you think? Is wearing jeans and tennis shoes to church okay?

There church where I get serve has no dress code and the vast majority of people dress way down when they attend. It isn't unusual to see flip flops, jeans, shorts, tshirts, and a great assortment of regular clothes. Just come as you are.

I usually dress appropriately for the group I'm working with. Mostly it is jeans or khakis and a button down shirt. Just my thing. Several other staff members wear jeans and polos. Not a big discussion on our staff.

If so, why do some people insist on dressing up?

No idea. I haven't worn a tie in years. I'll wear an appropriately tailored suit when needed, but usually keep it less formal and more casual. I've never understood the dressing up thing as a requirement or legalistic qualification.

This should be an interesting thread.

 

[J.D.]

There church where I get serve has no dress code and the vast majority of people dress way down when they attend. It isn't unusual to see flip flops, jeans, shorts, tshirts, and a great assortment of regular clothes. Just come as you are.

I usually dress appropriately for the group I'm working with. Mostly it is jeans or khakis and a button down shirt. Just my thing. Several other staff members wear jeans and polos. Not a big discussion on our staff.



No idea. I haven't worn a tie in years. I'll wear an appropriately tailored suit when needed, but usually keep it less formal and more casual. I've never understood the dressing up thing as a requirement or legalistic qualification.

This should be an interesting thread.

Allow me to prod a little bit - when is "an apropriately tailored suit" needed?

BTW just so you'll know I'm not being sly here - I believe people should "dress up" but at the same time I understand why people don't.

 

[webdog]

Here's a question for you, and I'm not trying to rile you, but here's how it was put to me: Don't your children think you're a hypocrit when you tell them how serious church is but they see you dressing cassualy to it?

No...my kids are 3 and 1

I don't see any hypocricy at all, btw. The clothes don't determine the seriousness of something. If it did, the only "serious" thing we would do is get married, as that is as dressed up as you can get. Oh I forgot...the birth of my children was pretty serious, too. You don't want to know what my wife was wearing!

How dressed up was Jesus speaking in the Temple?

 

[saturneptune]

Here's a question for you, and I'm not trying to rile you, but here's how it was put to me: Don't your children think you're a hypocrit when you tell them how serious church is but they see you dressing cassualy to it?

What does the seriousness of church have to do with the way we dress, as long as it is modest? "Seriousness of church" means how we worship God. The Pharisees were dressed in fine clothing and ornaments. I do not think it impressed the Lord.

It is none of my business how anyone else dresses, and it is none of their business how I dress.

 

[thegospelgeek]

If I am in the pulpit I usally wear a suit and tie. Which makes no sense because immediatly after telling everyone what Chapter and verse to turn to the jacket comes off and the tie is gone shortly after reading the verses and prayer.

When not in the pulpit it varies from suits to jeans and polos. Never shorts (Oh my, God would strike me with a lightning bolt. 1 Keith1:1 KDMV) The ladies always wear skirts or dresses except for a couple, who wear pants of some sort (I think).

I do think Christians are better of to wear something respectable for the very reason you would if doing something serious in your life. Such as meeting an important person (G.W Bush, Barak obama depending on your politics). Would you dress like a slob? When teens have asked me about dress I ask them how would they dress if they knew they were about to meet the boy or girl of their dreams? Would they be a slob or dress their best?

I don't care how the unsaved or visitors dress, they are welcome regardless. Would they feel uncomfortable in our church? Maybe. But I don't think I want the unsaved too comfortable in the church, do you?

 

[saturneptune]

Allow me to prod a little bit - when is "an apropriately tailored suit" needed?

BTW just so you'll know I'm not being sly here - I believe people should "dress up" but at the same time I understand why people don't.

It is not for you to understand or not understand how someone else dresses. If you want to wear a tux to church, wear a tux. If you want to wear jeans and a T shirt, wear jeans and a T shirt.

 

[rbell]

If you want to wear a tux to church, wear a tux. If you want to wear jeans and a T shirt, wear jeans and a T shirt.

This is seriously the philosophy at our church. You wouldn't believe the variety in our services. We have 3 piece suits and flip-flops & jeans, and all in between...and folks get along. We let the priesthood of the believer handle that one.

 

[tinytim]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYdD-Qc7lbY

 

[J.D.]

It is not for you to understand or not understand how someone else dresses. If you want to wear a tux to church, wear a tux. If you want to wear jeans and a T shirt, wear jeans and a T shirt.

If I were to wear a tuxedo into a church service, wouldn't people think I was crazy? Is that the testimony I want to have? It does matter what I wear, doesn't it.

 

[patrick]

Well, we could all wear robes nas sandals. That was the norm for the early church. When someone shows me suit and ties are required for Sunday morning attire, I will be the first to comply. Until then I will wear my jeans and polos!!!

God is more worried about the spirit than the body!!!

 

[tinytim]

I have always liked a zoot suit...

I actually almost bought one a couple yrs ago for Easter.. but backed out and got a double breasted suit instead...

I usually wear dress pants, shirt and tie on Sunday mornings...
Minus tie on Sunday night..
And bluejeans tee shirt on Wednesdays in the winter and maybe shorts and shirt on Wednesdays in the summer.

Modesty is the important thing to us...

But I would love to wear a zoot suit just one time in my life!

 

[J.D.]

Well, we could all wear robes nas sandals. That was the norm for the early church. When someone shows me suit and ties are required for Sunday morning attire, I will be the first to comply. Until then I will wear my jeans and polos!!!

God is more worried about the spirit than the body!!!

If I wore a robe and sandels to church, people would think I am insane. So it does matter what I wear, right?

And where does the bible say that God is not concerned with the body?

 

[Zenas]

When you watch the inauguration next week, please note that every man on that platform will be wearing a suit. Nothing casual. Why? Because of the dignity of the occasion and the respect for the high office that Mr. Obama (I can't quite bring myself to say President Obama) is assuming. Now compare your church attire with this. Who is more important, the President of the United States or the King of Kings? That is why I always wear a suit to church.

 

[J.D.]

I have always liked a zoot suit...

I actually almost bought one a couple yrs ago for Easter.. but backed out and got a double breasted suit instead...

I usually wear dress pants, shirt and tie on Sunday mornings...
Minus tie on Sunday night..
And bluejeans tee shirt on Wednesdays in the winter and maybe shorts and shirt on Wednesdays in the summer.

Modesty is the important thing to us...

But I would love to wear a zoot suit just one time in my life!

I like the yellow one! You could get on TBN wearing that.