The old mentality of being prepared for Communion in body, mind and spirit is now "overscrupulous" and nothing more than making up silly little rules. So sayeth a post-conciliar trad and deacon. That is how far we have fallen.
That is not traditional, nor is it even the N.O. Catholicism I was taught in the 70s.
I never said that!
I very much support dressing nicely and being clean for attending Mass. However, there is no obligation, no rule, and no sin forcing one to do so as you have described. This is something that is a matter of one's personal taste in dress. I think it is good if men wear suits to Mass. But it is not bad if they do not. Dress at Mass is not and should not be dictated by current trends in men's and women's fashion.
Christ has laid just one obligation upon Christians in their attire - dress modestly. That's it.
And in fact, Sts. Peter and Paul condemn dressing up in costly clothes and jewelry and with fancily done hair (which I assert includesthe dyeing and bleaching and fancy salon work most women so love although I'm sure you can find some moral theologian to twist things around on such a frivolous waste of money so as to permit it).
Whose adorning, let it not be the outward plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or the putting on of apparel: But the hidden man of the heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek spirit which is rich in the sight of God. (1 St. Peter 3.3-4)In like manner, women also in decent apparel: adorning themselves with modesty and sobriety, not with plaited hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly attire: But, as it becometh women professing godliness, with good works. (1 St. Timothy 2.9-10)