Growing up in the Mormon church, I always wore a knee-length dress to church. And guys always wore a suit, or at the very least, a button-down shirt and a tie. (The Mormon church dress code provides guidelines around what is appropriate both in and out of church.) So when I started to go to a non-Mormon church as an adult, I was shocked by how casual it was. Granted, that particular church was incredibly casual, even for a non-Mormon contemporary service, but still, it was a big adjustment.
Now, Tommy, Thomas, Charles and I go to a church with casual dress, but probably less so than the first one we went to together. And I’d say that how I dress for church now is a blend. I always dress respectfully and conservatively, but my dresses are not always knee-length, and I do wear sleeveless items. And there have been days where I’ve worn jeans to church with a nice blouse. The common theme is to dress nicely, appropriately, and conservatively when entering a church, regardless of denomination.
In today’s post, I’m answering a few common questions about how to dress for Sunday, along with some recent outfits and finds I’d recommend if you’re shopping!
What is an appropriate outfit for church?
This all depends on the church you’re attending. Honestly, there’s rarely a true “church dress code” (except perhaps in the LDS church!). As I mentioned above, in the Mormon church (aka The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), it’s inappropriate to wear anything shorter than knee length, and women can never wear sleeveless and a button-up with a tie is typical for guys.
However, the church we go to now is more casual. It’s appropriate to wear jeans and a blouse, and I’d say most men wear a collared shirt and long pants. I almost always wear a dress because I enjoy dressing up. So, what to wear to church truly varies by congregation and denomination.
I haven’t been to every type of church, but I’ve been to Baptist churches, a Catholic church, a Methodist church, a Presbyterian church, and non-denominational churches. I think most churches lean dressier, with the exception of non-denominational ones, which lean more casual. Some church websites will list their dress code, so you could try to look it up before you attend. Or, check out the church’s Instagram account – most post pictures of people attending services, so you’ll be able to get an idea that way.
Generally, it’s always appropriate to dress modestly and respectfully in a place of worship. Here are some options that are appropriate for many churches:
For ladies:
A dress or skirt that hits around the knee (or mid-knee for Mormon churches)
A blouse or sweater that is not low-cut
Tailored jeans with no rips or distressing for casual services
Heels, sandals, or nice dress shoes
For men:
Khakis and a belt
A button-down shirt or polo
Tailored jeans that aren’t distressed
A pair of dress pants or trousers, button-down and tie with a blazer or suit jacket (this is probably less common these days, but would be appropriate at an LDS church, a Catholic church and perhaps a Presbyterian church – just from observation, not from a place of expertise for the latter two).
How to dress casually for church
It’s important to note that “casual” does not mean the same thing at church vs. the rest of your life. If you’re planning to attend a casual church and aren’t sure what to wear, it’s a safe bet to go with an appropriate dress and sandals. I don’t wear thin strapped dresses for church, since they feel more revealing than I’m comfortable with, but I don’t think it’s necessarily inappropriate given the casual nature of our church. If you know that jeans are appropriate there, then you could also wear nice jeans, sandals, and a dressy blouse.
When considering church outfits, even in a casual environment, steer clear of graphic tees, overly distressed or ripped jeans, revealing dresses and athletic wear.
However, while these are all great things to keep in mind if you and/or your church cares about your attire, I wouldn’t let your outfit keep you from attending church. I’ve seen homeless men in our church, and I can promise you that absolutely NO ONE cared what they were wearing.
How to dress for church in jeans
If you want church outfits with jeans, stick to a well-fitting pair and leave your distressed styles at home. I love my distressed straight leg jeans from Abercrombie, but I don’t wear them to church. Instead, I wear a pair of tailored jeans and heels (or sandals) or a pair of white skinny jeans. I think the style of jeans (e.g. mom jeans, boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, etc.) doesn’t matter as much as the distressing — or lack thereof.
I also go for classic, dressy blouses if I’m wearing jeans for church. Here’s a blog post with a roundup of my favorite Tuckernuck blouses.
What shoes should you wear to church?
Sandals, heels, and loafers are my most worn church shoes. I stay away from sneakers (even fashion sneakers like Vejas), since they feel a little too casual for my taste.
Does God care what you wear to church?
My belief is no, he doesn’t. But again, I think this depends on your church and faith.
In the LDS church, your attire (wearing modest clothes) is viewed as a sign of respect to God and yourself. I can’t speak to how other denominations view it, however.
I’m confident our current church would say that God doesn’t care what you wear but cares more about your heart. And I’d love to hear how your church views this topic or how you view it personally.
Casual Church Outfits
Let’s get into some church attire inspiration. Here are a few cute church outfits I’ve worn recently. There is a mix of styles, so hopefully, you can find a couple that work for your denomination.
Church Appropriate Dresses
Most of the dresses I wear for church now are dresses I’d wear in my daily life. I love maxi dresses, midi dresses, and even mini dresses, as long as they aren’t super short.