FASHION TIPS FOR CHURCH

Tired of panicking about what to wear to church or youth trips and have it be deemed appropriate? Or are you a recent convert and are wondering what's a do and what's a don't? Here's a quick guide which will allow you to dress your style, look great, and still be church acceptable. Alternatively look in the mirror and ask the Holy Spirit to confirm that what you are wearing is OK. If you're not at peace about the way you look then change the thing that is causing you to lose your peace. When you are happy before God that your dress is appropriate go to church, forget about what you are wearing and how you look, and worship Him with your whole heart.

STEPS

 

1

Don't expose yourself. Girls, measure those skirts. If they are short enough that you are flashing people when you sit, don't wear them. Don't wear anything above the knee. Also take into account which kind of church you will be attending, as expected dress can vary between churches. Generally, don't wear anything see-through or transparent. This can be solved by using undershirts or tank tops. Girls, absolutely. no. cleavage. Boys, no wife beaters and even if you're doing to be doing work (such as tiding up church grounds, or anything really), try to keep your shirt on. 

 

2

Wear appropriate bottoms for your church and gender. Girls, wear a dress or at least a nice skirt when you attend services; avoid pants and slacks. Also, be aware of the length. Baptist, Pentecostal, Mormon, and some independent churches expect longer skirts, so a "maxi" or "midi" (ankle length and calf length, respectively) skirt is the rule here. Catholic and Protestant churches, on the other hand, are usually more liberal and just request that skirts reach or cover the knee. Yes, miniskirts and above-the-knee clothing are popular, but save it for the rest of the week. Guys, wear a nice pair of slacks, such as khaki pants or dark jeans. Both genders should avoid wearing shorts. 

 

3

If you are a girl, you may be expected to cover your head. Be sure to know before you arrive at the church whether women are expected to have their heads covered. In particular, this is a tradition and requirement in many Eastern Orthodox churches, more traditional Catholic Churches (especially if you are attending a Tridentine mass), and some Southern Baptist churches. If you are expected to cover your head, wear a hat (not a baseball cap or similar) and wrap a scarf, shawl, or piece of fabric around it so that most of the hair on your head and some of the hair on your shoulders is covered. Be aware that different churches have different requirements and/or expectations on what this head covering should be. In a Baptist church, a hat is okay; in a Catholic Church, a mantilla or chapel veil, and in an Orthodox Church, a more hijab-style covering is expected. Research beforehand! 

 

4

Wear a nice shirt. Both genders should wear a nice shirt. Don't just roll out of bed and put on the first thing that comes out of your drawer. Boys, wear a nice, collared shirt, like a polo or a button-down. In warm weather, a nice dark, solid color tee shirt with no writing on it can substitute for a collared shirt; in the wintertime, a turtleneck is appropriate as well. Ties and slacks are preferable and may be expected if you're high school/secondary school age. Girls, anything that isn't too low-cut is fine. Collared shirts and blouses for young women are nice, but not required. 

 

5

Remember that you do not have to dress like a prep or a Duggar to be a Christian. So long as your clothing is decent and meets the requirement of the church you are attending, it doesn't really matter what you wear.

• Girls, you don't necessarily have to wear a skirt. Although preferable and expected in some churches, if it's twenty below zero, really cold, or not a Sunday service, you can sometimes get away with wearing pants; if you are going to wear them, try to wear nice dark colored jeans or slacks.
• Guys, try to steer clear of caps on Sunday or when attending the worship service. You can wear fedoras, but not caps. It is considered common respect to take your hat off when you enter a place of worship, especially if you're a guy.
• Know that thongs, unless they are dress thongs should not be worn.
• Boys, make sure your pants stay up. Yes, it's fashionable to expose your underwear now a days but it isn't church appropriate. For either gender: No ripped up jeans. You are in the presence of God and you want to show respect.