You know who does church right... the black churches... driving by on Sunday morning you'd think you were at a Royal wedding with all the hats, and not just on Easter.
You know who does church right... the black churches... driving by on Sunday morning you'd think you were at a Royal wedding with all the hats, and not just on Easter.
Baby! One the hats were in full effect today. Except for that one lady I mentioned. She needs a fashion intervention.
I can't really speak to dressing up, or not, for church, what with being an atheist now and never having attended church regularly growing up. But this article just feels so out of touch with reality, that it's pissing me off.
Even corporate America isn’t immune. Casual Fridays has morphed into casual every day and even tech tycoons like Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg wear bland T-shirts during public presentations.
To this I ask, so what? Facebook is a social media website that by it's very nature is casual and about screwing around (games, AWing and braggy photos, stupid quizzes, etc.). The tech industry was born in the garages of college drop outs who certainly weren't wearing suits and ties. I work in the tech industry and wear jeans and t-shirts everyday, because there is absolutely no reason for any of us to dress up while we sit working at our computers for 8 hours, with breaks for free soda and ping pong.
It’s a sharp departure from another era in America before the 1960s, when people wore suits, dresses and white gloves in public.
I really hate it when people act all nostalgic about the "good old days" (that in reality weren't actually very good). Would we like to also go back to the discrimination against women and people of color? I'll pass, thanks.
Jennifer Fulwiler, who wrote an article for the National Catholic Register titled, “Why Don’t We Dress up Anymore,” says her great-grandfather would put on a coat and tie just to go grocery shopping.
And why exactly do I need to dress up to buy milk, canned chili, and a bag of potatoes exactly? Oh that's right, I don't. I don't get a better price if I'm dressed up, and if I get all dusty, or meat juice on my jeans, those can be tossed right in the washing machine and don't need to be dry cleaned. I think it's dumb to wear your PJs and slippers out to the store, but this is something that has absolutely no bearing on my ability to buy groceries, so it's really none of my business.
The reasons why people stopped dressing up could fill a book. Yet Fulwiler offers one explanation that’s seldom mentioned – lack of gratitude.
This is my privilege showing, but no, I'm not particularly grateful about going to work, or the grocery store, or flying. But we live in a society of jobs, shopping, and mass transit, and the majority of those things are open and available to the general public. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to word this, but it's weird to me that people get so worked up about how other people dress.
Fulwiler’s revelation came one day as she watched scruffily dressed people board a plane. She flashed back to a black-and-white photo she had seen of her grandparents boarding a plane in the 1940s. Most of the passengers were dressed in suits and ties and dresses because air travel was such a privilege at the time.
“We dress up for what we’re grateful for,” she says. “We’re such a wealthy, spoiled culture that we feel like we have a right to fly on airplanes,” says Fulwiler, author of “Something Other than God,” which details her journey from atheism to Christianity.
Flying in a full suit or fancy dress is my idea of a nightmare. Flying might have been a thing that was a privilege at the time, but I hate to break to this Fulwiler person that we actually do all have a right to fly on an airplane. Planes aren't some special thing for the rich anymore, they are a regular form of mass transit open and available to everyone. Any form of new transit always starts out as being only available to those who are better off, before the prices come down and it becomes available to the masses. This is a *good* thing, and it's the new normal for our society (whether the uptight pinched faced Judgey McJudgersons think so or not).
Post by meshaliuknits on Apr 20, 2014 15:24:05 GMT -5
I'm reading all of the stuff about casual Catholic churches & I'm like what? I grew up going to Catholic churches & I had to wear a frilly, godawful, itchy dress every damn Sunday. Then I got to NitaX & @sousdesfrinado posts. They were always BLACK Catholic churches. Maybe that explains it.
Sous I'm eagerly awaiting a time I can wear dresses like that. I'm thinking the kids weddings. Maybe graduations too.
Catholic Church is a mess. The first time I attended, I was shocked at what parishioners were wearing. I'm convinced it's because none of the sloppy dressers actually wants to be there.
Ouch! What happened to you that you put so much emphasis on appearances?
Because have some respect for where you are going. I get it if you don't have the means to dress to the nines, but some people make no effort at all. There is also a difference between being neat and being sloppy.
"Not gonna lie; I kind of keep expecting you to post one day that you threw down on someone who clearly had no idea that today was NOT THEIR DAY." ~dontcallmeshirley
I'm not really sure how I feel about this issue. I liked casual Fridays at work... until one of the first year associates wore a satiny sequined v-neck tank top with her too tight jeans. And then there was the secretary who would wear shorts. And not like capris or something, but actual fucking midthigh shorts.
People have started not wearing.suits to court, too. And it IS the women who are the worst. That sweater.can be cashmere and designer and the loveliest shade of lavender, and it still needs a suit coat over it. But then the judges are wearing golf shirts under their robes. I don't like that. Anyway, not sure how I feel about the church side of things. If it's a casual service at a church that has people wearing golf shirts and kakhis at the main service, I kind of don't care if people are going in the clothes they wore to the gym. The things I find disrespectful at mass involve people whispering through the service, saving seats for late people, playing on their phones at any point after entering the church, leaving directly after communion, and clapping at the conclusion of the service like it was some kind of performance that they found entertaining.
This drives me NUTS. The first time I saw it, I was in a Catholic church, but have since seen it more than a few times in my (Lutheran) church.
"Not gonna lie; I kind of keep expecting you to post one day that you threw down on someone who clearly had no idea that today was NOT THEIR DAY." ~dontcallmeshirley
You know who does church right... the black churches... driving by on Sunday morning you'd think you were at a Royal wedding with all the hats, and not just on Easter.
Yes, black people can do church. I went to a new church today in black slacks and a cute top, but the black people put me to shame. There was a young man who had on a jacket, shirt, tie, shorts and boat shoes. He looked like he stepped out jCrew. I also saw a pick of a black Mary and Jesus, so many transracial families....I may have teared up. The priest was even black. I feel like someone wqs really speaking to me today and I found my church (it was Catholic, too).
I keep coming back to this pic because it makes me happy. I mean sure, it looks a bit like he raided his mother's linen closet and took both her indoor and outdoor Spring tablecloths to make this outfit, but it's still tremendous in every way.
OMG, I'm such a hypocrite. I wear jeans to church because I walk to church....so I need supportive sneakers and jeans. So, I am a sloppy dresser. I was at Easter Mass this morning and was judging the teen girls wearing such short dresses with no sleeves. 8) As I was walking out of church, I was thinking "they're going to freeze to death in those dresses! It's 50 degrees!"
Hm. I went to church today (I've turned into such a Christmas and Easter Catholic, I keep forgetting they changed the liturgy) and I honestly didn't notice what people were wearing. The man and his sons behind me were all dressed up, and M and I were dressed up... H wore jeans. I kind of gave him crap about that.
But even if I hadn't been wearing a skirt, my FACE looked fabulous! I did several shades of pink eyeshadow. So there we go.
I think the condition of your soul is more important to God than the condition of your wardrobe. We have a very mixed assortment of outfits on a given Sunday from super casual to business casual. I can't remember seeing a sport coat for years. (there was ONE Easter hat today and a number of people in jeans)
You stay at out of black churches then cause we talk to the preacher and clap throughout the sermon and service.
I have no problem with this at black churches. It's part of the ceremony and ritual of it. It really doesn't suit Catholic Mass and it's just weird. They clap at the end. Like it was a show. It's not like they're clapping along to songs or something. Just "Go in peace to love and serve the lord." "Amen" *Claps* Weird.
If that happened, it would on solidify us as bad Christians, ready to leave
You stay at out of black churches then cause we talk to the preacher and clap throughout the sermon and service.
I have no problem with this at black churches. It's part of the ceremony and ritual of it. It really doesn't suit Catholic Mass and it's just weird. They clap at the end. Like it was a show. It's not like they're clapping along to songs or something. Just "Go in peace to love and serve the lord." "Amen" *Claps* Weird.
Happened at my grandmothers black Catholic church. Presumably still does.
Ouch! What happened to you that you put so much emphasis on appearances?
Because have some respect for where you are going. I get it if you don't have the means to dress to the nines, but some people make no effort at all. There is also a difference between being neat and being sloppy.
Gurl, yes Hunty.
Also, I'm going to just say this because this post is all on time for me. I was out Saturday and I saw so many atrocities to looking like you might actually give a fuck about life that I said something about it to my H. It's one thing for me to be in my house in sweatpants and looking a hot mess, but to be out in public looking like a hot mess and 17 halves is just the most.
But then again, if everyone looked nice I wouldn't have shit to trash talk and judge.
No, God doesn't judge your soul by what you wear to church. But he also doesn't judge one sin worse than another. So let's just leave God out of this. WWJD is some horseshit.
This is not a poor people problem, ffs. Most poor people don't want people to judge them for being sloppy as well as poor. So even if it's not the newest, the hottest style, the most fashion forward, poor folks will clean themselves and their children up as nice and possible, touch an iron to the wrinkles, and wear something clean to church. The people who wear sloppy sweatpants with the knees all blown out, those are not poor people.
The only exception I make to that is I've noticed people who show up truly poor and downtrodden aren't members of the church or regular attenders. In fact, I've never seen them in there before and they'll be asking the pastor for some money during the altar call.
No, God doesn't judge your soul by what you wear to church. But he also doesn't judge one sin worse than another. So let's just leave God out of this. WWJD is some horseshit.
This is not a poor people problem, ffs. Most poor people don't want people to judge them for being sloppy as well as poor. So even if it's not the newest, the hottest style, the most fashion forward, poor folks will clean themselves and their children up as nice and possible, touch an iron to the wrinkles, and wear something clean to church. The people who wear sloppy sweatpants with the knees all blown out, those are not poor people.
The only exception I make to that is I've noticed people who show up truly poor and downtrodden aren't members of the church or regular attenders. In fact, I've never seen them in there before and they'll be asking the pastor for some money during the altar call.
Plus one.
Do I go all out every Sunday? No, but I generally dress nice all the time/am put together.
If someone is going to choose between sweats and church or no church then please, choose church. While I know everyone can be judgmental, myself included, of ALL the places you're not supposed to be a judgey asshole, it's church. At least in my church, there is always something to be doing while you're in there be it praying, listening, singing, etc. that you shouldn't even have time to put your judgey pants on.
It goes along with what most of my opinions of others and religion include: don't be an asshole. If your biggest sin is swearing yoga pants to church, I think you're probably in a better place than the rest of us.
I wear jeans, often, to church, but I also look pulled together. Jeans=/=sloppy automatically. Cute top and nice shoes is nice, even cute tennis shoes.
I wear jeans, often, to church, but I also look pulled together. Jeans=/=sloppy automatically. Cute top and nice shoes is nice, even cute tennis shoes.
This. I regularly dress my jeans up. And also you can find nice clothes in Target,Ross,Marshalls,etc. It doesn't take a lot to look pulled together.
Post by karinothing on Apr 20, 2014 20:20:32 GMT -5
I went to a super hippie church back home. One time two girls showed up dripping wet in shorts and bikini tops. They were young, like under 18. Their mom was with them. I have no clue wtf was going on. I mean it is hot in AZ, but really? Put on a top.
They took commune from the priest. To his credit he did not bat an eye.
We had summer services in the "grove" since there used to be no a/c in the building and the church owned some wooded property. So all summer you could dress down which was nice especially as kids.
I think this has more to do with our overly casual dress in general. Remember those girls who wore flip flips to see the President? Before t-shirts were a thing and churned out en masse most construction workers wore button down cotton shirts on the job. My grandpa wouldn't even let a worker on his site unless he was wearing a button down. I wish less casual looks would become more popular. If you go with the right fabrics for blouses, dresses, slacks, etc., it's really not any more work to maintain a nicer wardrobe.
The last few times I went to church I wore jeans and the Tshirt they gave me for being a volunteer. I only judge hoochies with their boobs hanging out or stilletos. I prefer modesty. Most at that church wear jeans or khakis and a nice top. And it is the fastest growing church in the area with mega church following. If people are coming for The Word I say be glad because church attendance is steadily declining. Make it easy.
Flameful - but I think the elaborate hats and dresses turn church into a fashion show-and people tend to focus on what he/she was wearing vs. what they should be focusing on. I'd rather people come in jeans or comfy clothes and focus on what is important.
That said, I don't go to church and haven't in many years, but when I did I was semi-casual for most masses and dressy for the holidays. I was born and raised Catholic and we had all types at mass from the sloppy ones to the fashionable yet casual ones to the little old ladies with their church suits. Those little old ladies used to fondle their rosary beads in the front pew while judging the teenagers for what they were wearing.
"Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes" (Thoreau)? Yes?
I was definitely raised that you look nice for church, no jeans, t-shirts, or sloppy shoes. Polo shirt and khakis are the minimum for guys, dresses required for women on larger occaisions. So on the few times I do go to a church function (usually a grin-and-bear-it occasion for my parents or the in-laws), I go right back to that expectation out of habit. But those dressed less than what I am used to would probably judge me for barely ever going and standing there when I don't believe, so tit for tat
I pretty much always wore skirts/dresses/khakis/button downs/sweaters to church growing up. I remember coming home many times when I was between 5 and 10 years old and taking off my tights and changing into more appropriate play clothes. I had a friend at my church in high school who woke up late, and just threw on the cargo shorts and t-shirt he had on the floor for church one morning. He later mentioned how he felt embarrassed about it, but whatever. It was a one-time deal, or at least seldom. He was a regular church go-er. Everyone knew that he normally looked a bit more put together - and also that his story was pretty plausible. In that case, sure! Better to show up a little scruffy than not show up at all.
But if you're seriously clueless to the fact that you should probably not wear the track pants and sweatshirt to church that you're going to wear while watching the football game and eating wings later, it makes people wonder what else you don't understand about what how you dress conveys. Are you the same person who wears jeans to a job interview? Low-cut tops and mini skirts in the office? People DO form an impression of you and your attitude/seriousness/competency based on how you dress. That's just the way things are. And I don't necessarily think it's wrong. I think brushing your hair before a business meeting and making sure your clothes match is kind of a sign of respect for those whom you are meeting with. "This meeting and your time matter to me." Kind of like being on time and not leaving people waiting, or returning phone calls or any number of similar things. So yeah, looking decent for church tells God that He matters, and tells the other people in church, especially the professional staff, that their time and effort matter and are appreciated in a way.
I'm reading all of the stuff about casual Catholic churches & I'm like what? I grew up going to Catholic churches & I had to wear a frilly, godawful, itchy dress every damn Sunday. Then I got to NitaX & @sousdesfrinado posts. They were always BLACK Catholic churches. Maybe that explains it.
Sous I'm eagerly awaiting a time I can wear dresses like that. I'm thinking the kids weddings. Maybe graduations too.
Sent from my EVO
No. I went to as white as white can be Catholic church growing up and damned if us girls weren't all in dresses every Sunday. My dad would wear a suit and the boys would be in dress pants, shirt, tie and blazers.
Yesterday we went to 8:30 am mass and I was sitting next to a 10-12 year old boy who was wearing sweat pants and an undershirt. Like he'd just rolled out of bed. I confess I was side-eyeing the hell out of his mother. My boys were in matching-ish pink shirts and khaki pants.
Post by cattledogkisses on Apr 21, 2014 11:48:01 GMT -5
I don't go to church these days unless its with my family on a holiday, but we went religiously every Sunday when I was growing up, and we always dressed up. It's still ingrained in me now, and I also just like dressing up. My job rarely affords me opportunities to do so, so when I can I like to get fancy (not quite black church hat wearing fancy though!)
I think the general sloppy dressing phenomenon is partly because most people seem to view dressing up as some kind of unpleasant ordeal.