When did people stop dressing up for church?

Question

I stopped going to Catholic church for years, but when I attend now, nobody is wearing suits? When did the jeans and t-shirt's crowd join the party?

Answer 1

It was in about 1982 at my church. I remember it well ... mom suddenly allowed us to wear jeans. I was really cool in my Calvin Kleins.

Answer 2

I go to a Catholic church, and it does seem pretty casual, though the majority do dress up. I usually wear a skirt, or at least nice pants. I'm not Catholic and just recently started going there, but some of my family is Catholic and I attended Catholic school. It seems like the Catholic Church is becoming more relaxed to try to boost membership - at least our local churches are. The priests are making a strong effort to be welcoming and non-judgemental - I think people are just responding to that - i.e., they just feel more relaxed now and do things like talk before mass and wear blue jeans.

I grew up in the Presbyterian church, and it seems like it is going in the opposite direction, becoming more strict. Maybe it is just our local churches, but Presbyterians dress up more for church than Catholics do, I've noticed.

Answer 3

I'm Christian and attend a Baptist church. We wear basically whatever we want. If people feel like dressing up, they do. If not, they don't. Catholic churches are a little different, but to us its all about being a family and enjoying fellowship. Church is home so it doesn't really matter what I wear.

Not to mention that many outfits comprised of jeans and a t-shirt can be sophisticated.

Answer 4

I don't know, but at my church since I've been attending since 1989. It's a non-denominational church and during the years I've seen people wear minis! I think that's gone too far. I saw a woman wear a low cut halter to church and she didn't bother to cover up! But I don't think you have to dress up for church but just be respectable and modest.

Answer 5

Oh, we've been "casual" for a long time now. I absolutely REFUSE to partake in that. I always wear nice clothes when I go to church - never jeans or shorts. I've only just recently started wearing slacks (I used to always wear skirts and dresses, but it was too cold last winter).
I've seen all kinds of horrible things - alter boys (and girls) wearing flip flops, people wearing tanks, bermuda shorts...this one girl had on a bathing suit and a cover up! I was floored. Her mother apparently thought it was okay. I think we need to start dressing up again!

Answer 6

In order to draw more parishioners a lot of churches have eased on rules of attire. Also, some people just can't afford a nice suit. Some suits are too cheap just to be worn, so it's just better to wear something comfortable (but respectful)

Answer 7

I say to each his own. SO, my kids and I get dressed up for church. It is a simple matter of respect. We also dress a bit nicer when going to a friend's graduation party, wedding, funeral etc.
My guess is that a lot of people who won't "dress" for church take the time to get all gussied up for the bar or a night on the town!!!

Answer 8

They probably switched to get people back to church. They switched about 1986 here when we had a priest wearing jeans. Everyone called him Father Blue Jeans, lol.

Answer 9

It is a good thing that people attend church in what clothes they feel comfortable in.

It was never God who judged what people wore to Church, just the other parishoners that got critical if Mrs Jones had a ladder in her stockings.

Answer 10

Yep it was in the early eighties when people started giving up on life all together. Not long after that grunge hit the scene and body peircings became popular.