Dressing for church advice.

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R

Rufus

Puritan Board Junior
When I go to church (I've just started attending a PCA church) I wear what could be considerably called my best clothing, jeans and a monochrome shirt (w/ or w/o a fancy looking flannel). I got 200$ from family for Christmas and other than using some of it to start a banking account I was thinking of improving my wardrobe (cheaply-moderately) for church. I'll be with my grandmother sometime next week and we're going into Boston so I might look there. I've been looking on Art of Manliness but haven't found a good article yet.

Advice ladies and gentlemen?


Side note: I'm looking to eventually improve everything I wear, 3 or so of my shirts are cotton monochrome and a few others are nice. But most likely I won't be buying new clothing until August.
 
I try to wear something with a collar and jeans that are not bluejeans (slacks). Last furlough (2 years ago) I was able to find many cheap slacks at Goodwill.
 
They are correct. You can probably get a very nice pair of khaki slacks or dress slacks at a thrift store for a very good price. I have also found good sales at JC Penney.
 
Khaki pants and single-color oxford button-down shirt. Maybe a modest tie. It works almost anywhere. Jacket can come later, and often nice ones show up at thrift shops.

As Josh said, Ross would work too if one is in your area. You can probably find decent slacks, a shirt, and a tie for around $30-$40.

I used to order all my shirts from LL Bean and Land's End, but in past years they just don't hold up as well. I've found reasonable Oxford shirts at Penny's as well--but keep an eye out for sales. They gouge, and then (like probably after Christmas) they mark down 40-50%.

BTW, you don't have to have Oxford shirts, but I think they go well with my cowboy boots and Acubra hat. . . .
 
Agreed with the thumbs up for khakis. Shirts with collars, of course as well. Kohls or Dillards-ask my wife. You'll get it there and get it at a good price.

It's really good to hear you concerned about your dress for church. While I don't think one needs to wear a three piece suit every time he darkens the door of a church, I do get upset with some of the choices of clothing used by people in the churches I've been to lately. I see guys wearing t-shirts, jeans, and sandals, and I've seen ladies that frankly have the modesty of streetwalkers in their attire. It's something that shouldn't go without comment by pastors and elders, and again, I'm glad to see that you have the forethought to consider your dress.
 
I'm always the poorest dressed church member! Lol! I feel so uncomfortable in nice clothing that I usually just wear tshirt, jeans, nikes Etc.
 
I'm curious...did Calvin give advice on how to dress or what to wear to church?
 
fredtgreco said:
They are correct. You can probably get a very nice pair of khaki slacks or dress slacks at a thrift store for a very good price. I have also found good sales at JC Penney.
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Ditto this. Browse the post-holiday sales at JC Penney. I love the Stafford shirts and ties, especially when you can find get them for pennies on the dollar...

My best purchase of all time: three $7 black suit jackets (after coupon). They were on a clearance rack in a section completely separate from the formal wear. They still had the tack stitching on the edges of the lapel, which must have been why they were marked down so low. My wife quickly removed the stitching when we got home and they look great! I've also picked up more than a few nice silk ties at thrift stores. It pays to browse clearance, Goodwill, etc.
 
VictorBravo said:
Khaki pants
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I recommend dark blue instead of khaki. They can go longer between washings. And for brands, remember to go with something other than Dockers.

And shop the sales if you go to a department store. Penney's (to again promote the local company) has some really good sales, but the regular prices are too high.
 
Dress like it is the most important meeting of your life. It is!

In addition to Ross, you might want to check out the clearance prices at Land's End and Sierra Trading Post. The latter claims Christianity and both can offer great deals on good quality clothes (although I agree, Land's has slipped).

At a store, take a good look at how something is stitched and fastened (buttons, snaps etc.). Natural fibers generally indicate better quality and long-term wear, although the addition of some polyester will help clothes wear well right out of the dryer. (A scrunch test can help too -- grab some of the fabric and scrunch it up in your hand; you want something that comes out fairly smooth afterward.) A poor fit can make the best of clothes look tacky.
 
Didn't the whole sunday dress up tradition start during the industrial revolution? With some churches banning the practice?
 
Edward said:
And for brands, remember to go with something other than Dockers.
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But the thing I like about Dockers is the big pockets. I can carry all sorts of stuff: firearms, Swiss Army knives, keys, money, flash drives, portable soldering irons, etc. (Or, even a small bible).

Some slacks' pockets these days are hardly big enough for my hand to get in.

I like navy, but for some reason I get them dirtier than khaki. Around here the dust is a perfect match for my khaki Dockers (or my dress Carhartts). ;)
 
Last edited:
Thanks to Josh for the recommendation of Ross. How does it compare to Stein Mart?

I second the recommendations for J.C. Penney's for those shopping on a budget. With the rarest of exceptions I've always found them to have better sales than Dillard's. A few times a year they will have big sales on sportcoats and other items. It's been a few years since I've had to shop for dress shoes but in my experience that's one area in which Penney's generally falls short.

---------- Post added 12-24-2011 at 12:03 AM ---------- Previous post was 12-23-2011 at 11:59 PM ----------

Didn't Sears buy Land's End? I wonder if that is the reason for the slippage.

My best all time purchase was probably a brand new $495 Mani blazer for $75. It fit perfectly right off the rack.
 
Pilgrim said:
It's been a few years since I've had to shop for dress shoes but in my experience that's one area in which Penney's generally falls short.
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Last few pair of shoes have come from DSW. It's hit or miss, but when you find something that works on the sales racks in the back, it makes it worth the effort.
 
I personally wear khakis, a nice collared shirt (sometimes go with a buttoned up shirt), belt, and dress shoes.

I could go all-out with a suit, but since it's a general, unspoken fact at my church that "he who wears the tie wields the authority" (which are the two elders and our deacon), I refrain from doing so.

If you shop around, you can find some decent stuff. If you got a Goodwill or a Salvation Army in your area, I'd check them out for some. If you find something there, it is where you'll find the best price.
 
jwithnell said:
Dress like it is the most important meeting of your life. It is!

In addition to Ross, you might want to check out the clearance prices at Land's End and Sierra Trading Post. The latter claims Christianity and both can offer great deals on good quality clothes (although I agree, Land's has slipped).

At a store, take a good look at how something is stitched and fastened (buttons, snaps etc.). Natural fibers generally indicate better quality and long-term wear, although the addition of some polyester will help clothes wear well right out of the dryer. (A scrunch test can help too -- grab some of the fabric and scrunch it up in your hand; you want something that comes out fairly smooth afterward.) A poor fit can make the best of clothes look tacky.
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A tuxedu is a little much, don't you think?

---------- Post added at 07:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 AM ----------
JM said:
Didn't the whole sunday dress up tradition start during the industrial revolution? With some churches banning the practice?
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Interesting, where did you hear that?

---------- Post added at 07:28 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 AM ----------
JM said:
I'm curious...did Calvin give advice on how to dress or what to wear to church?
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I am sure some general principles can be found in the writings of the Reformers.

---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:28 AM ----------
FedByRavens said:
I'm always the poorest dressed church member! Lol! I feel so uncomfortable in nice clothing that I usually just wear tshirt, jeans, nikes Etc.
Click to expand...

I try to dress nice, but church shoes hurt my feet (too much time barefoot perhaps?). So I usually wear nice black slacks and a buttoned shirt with collar...and tennis shoes (especially in winter when my toes get cold).

---------- Post added at 07:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 AM ----------
JM said:
I'm curious...did Calvin give advice on how to dress or what to wear to church?
Click to expand...

Your profile pic is dressed pretty nice.
 
I never understood the aversion to jeans that the generations before me have especially if they are nice properly fitting jeans. I tend to do jeans and a fitted button down because I am skinny and if I were dress pants I will break out one of my bowties
 
I almost always wear the same pair of khaki dress pants with a collared shirt. In the winter time I like to put a nice sweater on too. I also agree with Vic, I love my Dockers!
 
Sean,

Keep an eye out for sales. Don't rush into buying your clothes now, because you will find better sales near Spring. (For instance, I got $2,500 worth of very nice clothes for $300 [granted I needed a wardrobe update, since all my other clothes were too baggy from losing weight] at Belk -- a high end southern department store.) This included 2 suits, 3 sport coats, lots of pants, and a couple shirts.

If you are patient, and keep an eye out, you can get really good deals. Don't rush to spend the $100 or so bucks now, wait for a GOOD after Christmas or Spring sale. Also, don't be too proud to check out Goodwill -- especially look for a Goodwill in a nice area of town (if there is a lot of golf in the area, go to that one). I have seen some really nice tweed coats and dress clothes there. Worth checking out. I have gotten a number of button down shirts from there.
 
A tuxedu is a little much, don't you think?
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That's why I said meeting rather than party. I am thinking about when you have an important topic to work out with someone in great authority and you dress very well, and generally very conservatively, to set the tone for the transaction (not the best word but I can't come any closer).

I never understood the aversion to jeans that the generations before me have
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They have the connotation of being casual, something you'd slop around in on Saturday. If we had a president you'd actually want to meet, and you have an issue of great importance you want to communicate, would you show up in jeans?

But the thing I like about Dockers is the big pockets. I can carry all sorts of stuff: firearms, Swiss Army knives, keys, money, flash drives, portable soldering irons, etc. (Or, even a small bible).
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Oh my word, you sound like my husband! He lives for the moment when someone asks, "would you happen to have...?"
 
I believe in wearing clean and modest clothing. If you wear the same thing daily, use the newest/best of the rotation. Don't let manlaw or snobbery bind your conscience.
 
My advice, Sean:

On that kind of budget, scour the local thrift stores for a couple weeks looking for Khakis, basic neckties, plain collared shirts, and a blazer or two. If you can find a good suit, get it, but it sounds like you don't have much call for that at this point (technically, I don't either, but then again, my daily wear is slightly more formal than most, just by choice). You would be amazed at what you can find.

Lands End is also a good choice---their quality is good for the price, particularly at their frequent sales.
 
jwithnell said:
although the addition of some polyester will help clothes wear well right out of the dryer.
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Which raises the question as to whether Lev. 19:19 and Deut. 22:11 are part of the ceremonial, judicial, or moral law. I've never heard a good sermon on that.
 
Invest in a high quality suit (jacket and pants). Get it tailored to fit you. Shop for that on sale, but the price is worth it.
Wear it mostly to church. Get it dry cleaned once a year.

If you "dress up" it will positively effect you and others.
A good suit will last 10 years+ so it is something that produces value so it's not so important what you pay for it (within reason).

If you can get it totally tailored, save up and do that.
 
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