Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:First time at Mass in many years. Struck by how casual families dress. Growing up, all the men were in sport coats and gals in dresses. Mass was an occasion. And then we’d get breakfast afterwards dressed in our ‘Sunday best’. Is this casual dresscode now the norm at every church? I honestly don’t like it. It blunts the optics of church, to me.

I certainly hope so.

Church is about worship and learning to be the best Christians we can be. It isn't a fashion show, so if you are upset that people's casual clothing "blunts the optics" then perhaps you have some soul searching to do.

No one exists, or gets dressed, to satisfy your eyes.

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Anonymous wrote:IME, Catholic mass has always been a more casual affair than other denominations' church services.

because it is required and no one wants to me there IMHE

What isn't a casual affair these days? Theater, school, church, parties, everybody is just barely put together in any venue.

Exactly. EVERYTHING is more casual. OP, "blunting the optics" sounds really obnoxious. I do like to look nice or at least decent for church, but it really doesn't bother me what other people are wearing.

Anonymous wrote:First time at Mass in many years. Struck by how casual families dress. Growing up, all the men were in sport coats and gals in dresses. Mass was an occasion. And then we’d get breakfast afterwards dressed in our ‘Sunday best’. Is this casual dresscode now the norm at every church? I honestly don’t like it. It blunts the optics of church, to me.

Anonymous wrote:Here is a blog worth reading and deciding what you think.

https://www.corpuschristiphx.org/blog.php?month=201709&id=100763244&cat=&pg=1&title=Does+God+Care+About+What+We+Wear+to+Mass%3F

It's my view that Mass is the most important thing I do every day and most especially on Monday. I dress well (shirt and tie for daily Mass and I put on a blazer or suit for Sunday), because I think it is just that I give God my best. My best is in what I wear, my reverence during Mass, my prayer, and my participation. God gave me His best, His Dearly Beloved Son. I should give my best to Him in return. I get to receive Our Lord in The Eucharist (Body, Blood, Soul, Divinity). I am putting on my best clothes for that opportunity.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:IME, Catholic mass has always been a more casual affair than other denominations' church services.

because it is required and no one wants to me there IMHE

What isn't a casual affair these days? Theater, school, church, parties, everybody is just barely put together in any venue.

Anonymous wrote:I was so happy as a teen when I lived at the beach and church was so much more welcoming and laid back.

Now I am so happy to see kids in their soccer kits at mass, it shows that kids have great passions for things and parents are not stifling them "for god".

God does not care what you wear.

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Anonymous wrote:Life used to be a much slower pace. For many people, Mass was their Sunday activity. So you got dressed up for it, went out after, etc. For most families, this is no longer a reasonable expectation. Mass is one of the many things happening on a Sunday. The Church is smart enough to welcome anyone with open arms, regardless of what they are wearing. They desperately need young parishioners.

Oh please. People aren’t that busy on Sundays, at least with anything of note. If anything they just go shopping more since everything is open. Stores used to be closed on Sundays.

You clearly don’t have a family. Lots of kids activities on Sundays as well as getting ready for the week.

I am married with three kids. What's a typical Sunday? Sleeping in, reading the paper, men golf weather permitting, kids stare at phones for 10 plus hours, mum goes shopping, yard work, laundry and parents might fire up a work laptop and check emails. Is that what you mean by getting ready for the week? None of that absolves you or excuses you from putting a little [more] effort into church appearance at 8 or 9 AM.

Yikes, that’s your Sunday? In that case, yes, you should get dressed up for Mass. Most people I know, myself included, are juggling travel sports, putting in a few hours of work (much more than checking emails), meal prepping for the entire week, grocery shopping, laundry, etc. I guess if you have kids who are not involved in activities (really, you allow them to be on their phones all day?) and you have a job that lets you coast, then your main concern is what to wear to Mass. Most people are worried about more important things.

Instacart your groceries. There, now you have an extra hour plus to get ready for church.

P.S. Needing to work "a few hours" every Sunday teases out you lack an important role, sweetie.

Let me guess: you don’t live in DC. Why do people who don’t live locally post on these forums?

Local, dual income family, 450k hhi. Outside of emails, haven't worked on a Sunday since our 20s. Sunday is a day of rest and worship for Christians. Saturday, if you're Jewish.

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Anonymous wrote:Do American families dress nice for anything today?

Country club

Fascinating that country clubs can enforce a business casual dress code but Catholic mass can’t?

I always dressed nicely for Church and made sure my children and dh looked nice, too. Between the casual atmosphere, hypocrisy and my solidifying atheism, I just couldn't do it anymore. The Sunday obligation and threats of damnation aren't enough to keep me going. My family is relieved and we go hiking on Sunday morning instead.

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Anonymous wrote:I grew up going to Mass in jeans in the 80s. This is not new. God is happy we are there, worshipping together.

that was very different, especially in the 60s and 70s with guitars. NOw is different. show some respect