What to Wear – Appropriate Clothing for Church

Clothing for church should be an important consideration for every Christian. The most important thing to consider when going to church, whether during regular attendance or even on special occasions is, “Is my God big enough to dictate what I should where to His house?”

Going to church should be a regular practice in every Christian’s life. When going to church, like attending any other place or event, there are considerations as to what is appropriate to wear. Dressing appropriately for church is part of knowing how to properly behave in the house of God, and God expects good behavior in His house.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 3:15 writes,

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (KJV)

Attending church is mingling with God’s people and is a place to meet with God Himself. The house of God should command the highest respect from His people. A person can look good to others while pleasing God, and that is one of the goals in choosing the appropriate clothing for church. God sees us in the shower and in other places where we are not fully clothed, and for good reason, but when we publicly meet with God’s people to worship God in His house we should strive to dress appropriately since our focus should be on worshipping God. Dressing respectfully to please God should be our goal, regardless of what church denomination we attend.

Most churches don’t have a specific dress code, but God does expect His people to honor Him and His house. Just like there are different types of outfits to wear to the office, to work, and to clean the garage, so, too, there are guidelines as what to wear when attending church services.

The way you dress for church reveals much about you, and your attitude toward your house of worship, and even toward Jesus Christ Himself. The Bible speaks in 1 Timothy 2:9 on the standard for clothing when it comes to Christian women, and that such should be both modest and not costly.

Clothing for Church – What To Wear for Women

The house of God is neither a fashion runway nor your living room. Under the broad categories of modest and inexpensive attire, consider your own personal style, and the various colors that look good on you. Dressing modestly does not mean dressing ugly or looking frumpy!

A woman cannot go wrong wearing a dress or a skirt, as both are feminine garments. However, the hemline should come to the knee at its shortest length, and the top should not be so low cut as to expose breast cleavage. Skirt suits are great options since they have a modest, yet professional look. Add a delicate necklace and simple ankle boots and you have a modest, pulled-together outfit suitable for church service.

If you are looking for the perfect dress and conduct an internet search for modest church dresses, you may find some under the designation of “maxi” and “midi” dresses. The only difference between maxi and midi dress is where the hemline falls. Maxi dresses are long, usually ankle length, while midi dresses fall to mid-calf. Either style could be the perfect dress for church events, but while the hemline is modest, sometimes the top of either type of these dresses can be too low cut. Breast peeking or hinting at cleavage is immodest.

Other good ideas, especially for late spring or summer on Sunday morning church services are a summer dress, floral skirts, or wrap dresses. These outfits can also be considered casual clothes, but are also modest and feminine.

Does it go without saying that part of a woman’s modesty is wearing appropriate underwear. A bra is a necessary part of a women’s clothing ensemble, especially when she is large breasted. Some type of tops worn by small breasted women or young ladies can be modestly attired without a bra, but I caution that it is a good idea to include this part of women’s wear as a part of her church clothing.

Dressing modestly does not mean a woman cannot be fashionable and pretty. In fact, a Christian woman should strive for both modesty and beauty in her personal attire.

Clothing for Church – What NOT to Wear for Women

Dresses that are body hugging with a high hem and/or cleavage being revealed is not modest and inappropriate for church. Also, tank tops, skinny jeans, graphic tees, shorts, midriff-baring tops, spaghetti straps and/or backless tops also fall under the heading “inappropriate.” Some people even shy away from wearing sleeveless tops to a worship service, thinking they may show too much male-alluring female skin. Sheer and see-through clothing needs to be shunned. Sheer materials may cover the body, but at the same time they may provide enticing views of female parts. Are you trying to win a beauty contest or worship God?

Immodest clothing is a distraction to the other church members since it may tempt male members’ eyes and mind away from the worship of God and focus on the beauty of His creation. Skirts that reach the ankle may be modest, but add a long, thigh-high slit and instantly the skirt becomes an immodest garment.

Even dressing for special occasions, such as weddings, and even in choosing a wedding dress, should be modest. Save the breast peeking and bare shoulder look for the honeymoon.

Shorts, even knee-length ones, are not appropriate. When women get into the habit of wearing shorts to church, even during casual church events, it can be considered a distraction since it shows too much leg.

Skinny jeans, though they cover the body, also show off the curvaceous silhouette of a woman, and are not modest since they entice the viewer to examine her figure, distracting from the worship service. Sneakers just don’t pair well with church outfits.

Graphic Tees, for anyone over the age of five, are juvenile, especially for a church service. Even if they have Christian logos, it screams “Read my shirt!” Seriously, if that is your only way to get attention, and if you have to wear them, save them for more casual church events, like picnics. Also, avoid wearing sneakers to church.

Denim skirts are modest, but denim has the look of dressing down, and bordering on the sloppy. It is best to save your denim for some casual church event rather than a formal church service.

Know your figure and wear your size. Clothing that is too large looks sloppy. Stuffing your large assets into a dream-sized dress, rather than your true size, only emphasizes your largeness and will be noticeable in a negative way to others.

The Bible also warns against women wearing costly attire. When you show off your money by way of your clothing, such a thing can very easily become a pride issue. So save the designer labels, such as Giovanna and Tally Taylor dresses. While they may be modest church apparel, it can become inconsiderate of the financial condition of others in your congregation.

Extremely high heels have a sexual connotation. It is better to choose a shoe with a kitten heel, as they are more comfortable, and again, modest.

Back to underwear once again. Some of Victoria’s Secret lacy bralettes were made as underwear and to be shown off as outerwear. A bra, no matter how covering or lacey it is, is still underwear. For modesty’s sake, keep the underwear under some sort of outerwear covering.

The respect and the styles of proper clothing for church services needs to be taught to the young ladies in the church, with words and by the example of older women in the church.

Clothing for Church – What to Wear for Men

Suits are always a safe bet for men to wear to church. However, many men don’t want to go to that extent every Sunday morning, and so they opt to save this apparel for more formal occasions. A man should wear a dress shirt, and one that is tucked into his pants. If a man does not want to tuck in his shirt, then he should opt for a polo shirt.

A tie, while not necessary, is a finishing touch to a dress shirt, and adds a measure of self-respect for the wearer, and silently commands respect from others. Also, sneakers don’t pair well with dress pants, so wear dress shoes. The color of socks should match the color of the pants, but if not, wear black dress socks. Avoid wearing white socks with dress shoes, as it can make a younger man look like an old one rather quickly!

Clothing for Church – What NOT to Wear for Men

It is expected that women dress up for church, but sometimes it seems that men want to attend church dressed very casually. Men should have proper church attire as well as women. Just like with women, when men dress down instead of putting effort into wearing respectable apparel for the house of God, it shows a lack of respect to God, His house, and the activities involved in worship. Some of the same rules of what not to wear to church apply to men as well as women.

Men should not come to church, especially on Sunday mornings, dressed like they were on their way to a baseball game or to fix their buddy’s car. Jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, tank tops, graphic tees, hoodies, baseball caps, and shorts are not proper or respectable church attendance attire. This type of clothing should not be worn by men in church worship services. If a man is planning on going from church to an amusement park, bring casual clothing, and when services are over, use the church’s bathroom to change.

Shorts, even dress shorts, should not be worn to church. Shorts are casual pants, even when fashioned from high-quality dress pants material. Regardless of whether a man’s shorts go to the knee or below it, shorts are an inappropriate choice of clothing for a church service.

The only exception in dressing down should be is when a man is working late at his job and he does not have time to go home, shower, and change, and yet he knows he needs to be in God’s house. Under these conditions, it is perfectly acceptable to show up at church in normally inappropriate clothing, as the reason for being dressed down is valid. It is better for him to come to church in work clothing, rather than church clothes, than to miss being in God’s house altogether.  

Clothing for Church Leaders

 For those who serve openly in their church, they are leaders in the house of God. Serving God in a church office makes you more visible, and therefore, you need to put thought into what you wear. If you are unsure of what is appropriate to wear in your position, ask your pastor what he expects. It is totally appropriate to inquire of your boss as to what type of clothing is expected at your job, and working in the house of God should be no different.

The Most Important Thing

Clothing for church is an important subject. However, what is more important is that you make it a habit to go to church. As you walk with God, and seek to please Him, allow Him to direct you as to what you should wear that pleases Him — both in and out of church.

Now that you have the issue of appropriate clothing for church figured out, check out more church stuff at: Some Considerations of IRS 501c3 Rules for Churches.

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