The reason I say "Main Service is because many Churches have an Evening (Second) Service which is much more casual.
Now this is an extremely delicate topic, especially for the male leadership in the Churches who constantly are giving sermons on what is considered "Modest Dress" for women by Biblical standards. Even though I don't always agree with their interpretations of Biblical standards, I can appreciate their dilemma because many women come dressed to church very inappropriately and that's the word I want to clamp onto.
Appropriate.
This isn't about catering to other people's standards and/or suppressing individuality. It's about considering WHERE you are and WHO you are.
WHERE.
I do NOT wear Flip-Flops to Church anymore than I wear High Heels on a sandy Beach.
WHO
Particularly your age. NOT dressing age appropriate just makes everyone around you cringe 😖, but they are just too nice to tell you.
Lace is appropriate for ALL ages of women, but should be used sparingly on older ladies. They should also tone down the bright colours and busy patterns.
Leave the Foo-Foo to the younger ladies. Think more classic and tailored. Less is more.
Too tight, too short and too much cleavage makes EVERYONE uncomfortable and is rarely becoming.
You need to analyze WHY you are going to church. It is to FOCUS on God and FELLOWSHIP with other Followers of Jesus?
It should be.
It's NOT to draw attention to YOURSELF.
This is NOT your Coming Out, Your Big Debut or your TEN Minutes of Fame ...
... nor should you be there to CRUISE for a HUSBAND!
(Have I made myself clear? 🤨
Good. Let's continue, shall we? 🫱)
I am rather well, uh, hmmm, shall I say, 🤫 "Top Heavy", (so to speak) which has caused me a few embarrassing and awkward moments durkng my 48 years of Church attendance. Usually it's not an issue but in one extremely conservative church I attended many years ago it became a bit of an issue. They actually dragged me over the pavement for wearing a lapel pin because it drew more attention to my chest. For the first tim, after attending Church for almost 20 years, I became extremely self-conscious about how I was dressing for Church.
My mother came to my rescue with some sound and Biblical advice by asking me a few, direct questions.
Are you trying to stand out and get noticed?
No.
Are you trying to impress the Church people?
No.
Are you trying to look pretty and present your best?
(I paused, hung my head and responded with a quiet)
Yes. 😔
(Mom lifted up my head).
Those aren't shameful things, Laura-Lee. You are stepping into the house of the King of Kings. You are His daughter. You represent Jesus wherever you go through all your behavior. Keep those things in mind and all else in your life will flow from it.
Now, let me add some practical advice for new Christians who might be trying to find a Church to attend for the first time.
Go to the Church website and look around. DEFINITELY go to their "Our Beliefs" and "About Us" sections. If they haven't listed an actual dress code, they probably don't have one.
But by looking at their Gallery or Photos or Events sections you'll get a good idea of how they dress.
Some Churches are quite casual and some really go to town.
But in the end, if you are going to be rejected by how you dress, maybe you should look elsewhere for a Home Church.
Let me help you a bit further 🤏 with some pictures which are worth way more than my words.
Here are some definite "Don't s"
Also, don't wear clothing with slogans or writing on them.
And CARTOON characters and MUPPETS are only appropriate for very young children.
Let's finish up with some "Do s" that Run the Gamut in styles and expense, but all are very appropriate for a morning Church service.
Wonderful, my Darlingz. I hope I've been helpful. But always keep in mind when God was discussing His decision for the next King of Israel with the prophet, Samuel.
"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7
The Truth with Love, Always Laura-Lee
