I had a movie running on tape, it stopped, and rewound, and clicked back onto regular TV programming (this to explain why I saw this in the first place). So, since it was Sunday AM here in the Rust belt, a church service was being televised.
Now, when I was a child, and was escorted to the local place of worship, we dressed UP, the adults wore what I would think of now as interview clothes. Fancier than everyday wear. men wore suits, or at least a jacket and button down shirt probably a tie, women wore dresses.
So today, I see the camera scan the crowd and I see casual attire. Ok, so not necessarily t-shirts, but certainly fleece, cotton knit pullovers for women, golf shirts or more casual for men. Instead of suit jackets, I saw what I think of as golf jackets (zipper front, 2 slash pockets in the front and cotton material), no ties to speak of that I could see.
Or did I just happen to see the one place where “church clothes” are optional?
I think that nowadays, Churches are having a hrd enough time getting the pews filled, without having a dress code. People don’t much feel like going to church these days, let alone having to dress up for it.
I think that many televised services show a casual crowd because that’s what we have nowadays…
Though I like to dress up for church, and I like to see other people dressed up, too (everyone just looks so much nicer that way, not to say I’d look down on someone wearing a sweatsuit though), as my Pastor Doug comments on older people bashing the younger generation of my church for dressing down, “It’s better to see teens in jeans at church on Sunday morning than teens in pajamas in bed.” I’ll agree with Snoooopy’s statement about God being fussy over neckties: I mean, do you think God really cares? He’s just happy to see people in church to begin with.
I’m sorry - perhaps I wasn’t clear - I don’t ** mind** if people dress down, just wondered if it was standard now. It certainly wasn’t back then. thanks.
Actually, ISTR reading somewhere that church attendance is up these days. Compared to what I don’t know.
FWIW, I wore tan pants and a nice, button-down brownish shirt today. I was so stylin’.
As far as the OP is concerned, I think that dress standards in general, and for church in particular, have relaxed a great deal lately. I, for one, couldn’t care at all. So long as there are butts in the seats.