On this momentous occasion in history this past week, now that we have a new pope, even in the fashion world of work, it's necessary to be conscious about how to show respect by how we dress to attend mass. Around the year 1960, the custom was to wear dressy clothes, and for ladies, a hat was required when attending one of the Roman Catholic Churches. The leadership of the Roman Catholic Church has now responded to the types of clothing parishioners should wear to mass, requiring a more modest approach to choosing clothes to wear there. Will they tolerate more casual and revealing clothes in Chicago? Probably not.
For some time, some parishioners have worn shorts and sandals to mass. The dress code required to attend mass is already changing with the recent election of the new pontiff. It will not permit sleeveless tops, and miniskirts will not be allowed, according to a recent report by a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church. In response to the many years in which casual dress was permitted and tolerated for parishioners when attending mass, according to The Huffington Post, Deacon Greg Kandra has voiced disapproval regarding the attire, a Hooter's shirt, which a women wore to mass recently. Indeed, it appears that we can expect a more conservative attitude towards permissible dress, not only for parishioners but also for priests, deacons and nuns, now that we have a new pontiff. For some time, many nuns have abandoned their habits in favor of clothes that was similar to what secular people wear. Will our new pontiff address that issue?
With the problems with the Roman Catholic Church, perhaps the new pope will give all existing clergy more specific guidance about such situations. Since the 1960s and 1970s, women have stopped wearing dressy hats to church, opting out of traditional attire for mass. Within the past ten years, pious women in Mexico have insisted on wearing longer skirts to attend mass. In Chicago, the dress code for mass has been far more casual, but the tide seems to be turning towards a return to dressier clothes. Don't misinterpret this tide to mean you need to wear formal wear to church, but do take a look at your wardrobe. Be ready to wear one of those boyfriend jackets to church over a sleeveless blouse or dress, and be careful about where and how to wear skinny jeans or leggings. Those tunics that have been for sale in many stores create a much more comfortable, carefree, sensible and chic way of dealing with skinny jeans and leggings.
Chances are they will be discouraging catholics from wearing such casual attire as halters and bare midriffs. Undoubtedly this will also be a return to much more modest outfits when going on dates. There has been a trend towards wearing layers like wearing loose sweaters and other loose outerwear instead of tight, revealing necklines and sweaters, as well as sheer dresses without suitable underwear. You'll probably need to buy a slip or two if you want to wear certain skirts and dresses. Dignified men will probably be discouraged from wearing low rise jeans, especially, but not limited to attending church. It is likely to be a relief for conservative men and women who have shaken their heads in church when seeing someone in shorts or a very short miniskirt there.
So before you decide to round out your wardrobe with a new miniskirt or a pair of tight pants, be realistic. Where will you wear it? If you decide to buy it and wear it, will your favorite aunt or uncle tell you to change into a longer dress or a looser pair of slacks, especially to attend mass? Think about it. Won't the new trends make life easier for you?
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