appropriate clothes for cathedral visits
Aug 7th, 2001, 05:15 AM
#4
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Will I be fine going into cathedrals if I wear sleeveless tops but bring a silk scarf to cover my shoulders? We are leaving this Friday and I know it is going to be very hot so I prefer to wear skirts (covering knees) and sleeveless tops. I would hate to be turned away.
Aug 7th, 2001, 05:21 AM
#5
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The strictest I found was St. Peters in Rome. They would turn away both men and women if shoulders and knees were visible. For women, if you do wear shorts, you might want to bring a long wrap skirt. Just put it on over top the shorts and after the tour is over, fold it back up and put in your daypack. That's what I did and it worked out great. Sonnie, you should be fine wrapping the scarf around your shoulders.
Aug 7th, 2001, 06:04 AM
#6
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I'm honestly not trying to be funny, but I'm interested. <BR>How do Americans dress these days when they go to church on a Sunday? <BR>There have been several of these questions about how to dress when visiting churches. Americans have the reputation of being greater churchgoers than most Europeans. Do people go into Christian churches in shorts and do the men now keep their hats on? <BR>I lived in New England in the sixties and then people dressed very smartly when they went to church.
Aug 7th, 2001, 06:10 AM
#7
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Dear Justasking, <BR>There's honestly a great deal of variability in America. I drive past a church that literally has a sign out front stating it's okay to attend services held there if you're wearing shorts. The members of another church (of a different denomination)in the same town really dress up to go to church; the women wear dresses, suits, or nicely styled pantsuits, and all the men are either in suits or nice slacks with sports coats & ties. <BR> <BR>Go figure & welcome to America, the beautiful "crazy quilt" or mixed salad! <BR>BC
Aug 7th, 2001, 06:11 AM
#8
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I lived in New England in the 60s and would see people going to church on Sunday. They were all smartly dressed. <BR>Have times changed? Americans are greater churchgoers than most Europeans. Have you now started going in shorts and is it now the custom for men to keep their hats on in church?
Aug 7th, 2001, 06:17 AM
#9
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I think most of the people with questions regarding how to dress in churches are not contemplating participating in services, or even entering while a service is in progress, but rather simply to observe the artwork, architecture, etc. In my view, a different scenario entirely, if you are simply sightseeing vs. worshipping.
Aug 7th, 2001, 07:30 AM
#10
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I agree with Barbara. Most of us are just going to view the beautiful artwork of the churches, not to attend services. At home I dress very conservatively for church, dress or suit, hose, heels, etc. However I can wear a sleeveless dress or top and look appropriate in my church.
Aug 7th, 2001, 07:45 AM
#11
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Haven't we beaten this enough? You must cover your shoulders and legs and arms when visiting a church. What needs to be any plainer than that? Is this such a hard concept to understand? How do Americans dress when they go to church, you don't want to know! It's shocking. Utterly disrespectful.
Aug 7th, 2001, 07:49 AM
#12
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Actually, the strictest we found was the Abbezzia at Montecassino. <BR>We saw shorts and tanktops at the Vatican. <BR> <BR>Wrap skirt is a great idea! <BR> <BR>My daughter and I used scarves that covered our shoulders, and never had a problem. <BR> <BR>Something to keep in mind when visiting churches and cathredrals; <BR>At times there iare actual services going on when one walks in, <BR>So, try to view this as a parishioner might; <BR> the church /athedral being a place of worship, not just a stop on a tourist's list.
Aug 7th, 2001, 08:06 AM
#13
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The question about how Americans dress at church is an interesting one, because it assumes that there's some sort of guide about how Americans dress (and eat and talk and drink, etc., etc., etc,) Fact is, there isn't any one way Americans do anything -- least of all speak English!
Aug 7th, 2001, 08:19 AM
#14
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It's a well-worn topic, but even if you are just visiting a church to look at the architecture, it's still a place of worship. Salisbury Cathedral for example tries to bring this home to people by having prayers at intervals. <BR>It's just a matter of respect. If you enter a mosque, you remove your shoes and make sure that you are dressed modestly. If you enter a synagogue, you cover your head. Churches are not museums, they have congregations and priests and it is arrogant and rude to behave or dress in a disrespectful manner. <BR>
Aug 7th, 2001, 09:30 AM
#16
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Barbara and Sonnie - it doesn't matter that you are simply entering a church "to observe the artwork". it is a CHURCH - it isn't an art gallery or museum. They are kind enough to let you enter - be kind enough to observe a little respect for their place of worship. <BR> <BR>If one has to ask how little can be worn to enter a church/cathedral, it is best they don't go in at all - go to the beach instead.
Aug 7th, 2001, 09:32 AM
#17
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IMHO, I can't see how wearing shorts is a automatic sign of disrespect. Disrespect is an attitude not a fashion statement. Our congregation (in the US) welcomes people in shorts although members of other congregations dress less casually. I can understand how local customs should dictate respectful behavior which is what this thread should be about. Nice job of trolling, though!
