Whatever happened to dressing up on Easter Sunday?

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review ^ | Saturday, April 10, 2004 | Alyson Walls

[Willie Green]

Although famed musical composer Irving Berlin thought them lovely enough to write a sonnet, nowadays few women are donning Easter bonnets.

In fact, you're more apt to see wrinkled khakis and rumpled polo shirts than pressed suits and pastel pumps at church on Sunday.

While Easter Sunday has traditionally been the day to show off your new spring finery, America has become a nation that dresses down, and not just on "casual Fridays" in the office.

[threat matrix]

[threat matrix]

Usually Jenna is the one that goes casual..not today!

[kittymyrib]

Hmmm...in the Old Testament God gave the Israelites specific rules about what to wear for worship and required that they bathe, in the middle of the desert! The priests were told just how their vestments were to be designed and covered with golden embroidery. The even the floor of the tabernacle was to be covered with gold...a pretty exacting requirement for a nomadic people in the middle of the desert. God has not changed. He still expects the best we can offer him in our worship, and most of us can afford better clothes than a tee shirt or tank top. This "God will love me even if I am a slob" is a convenient excuse for laziness.

[Dante3]

In DC also the congregation at least at one black churches dresses well and not just at Easter. It is a sign of respect. Surely people have the time and money to have one nice outfit for church or synagogue.

The other day we went downtown and we all remarked that the grunge look has taken over. Made one wonder where do all those ugly clothes come from?

[cyborg]

She's my favorite first lady.

[CindyDawg]

Jenna the one that needs the jacket. :')

[Dante3]

I agree.

[Former Proud Canadian]

Funny you should mention that. I went to a black church today and EVERYONE was scrubbed and fairly well dressed. Most were dressed in what we used to call "Sunday best".

[threat matrix]

Condi works the press line..

[cyborg]

Classy as always

[Willie Green]

With those heels, she oughta be walking on the pavement instead of the turf.
She's gonna get herself stuck.

[threat matrix]

Wait let us in too, just for communion! (probable barf alert)

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

god doesnt care what kind of clothes you wear

[cyborg]

I'm having mean unchristian thoughts.

[threat matrix]

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

The perception today is that polo shirts, khakis, and dress shoes are what passes for formal these days. exactly...I dont remember anything in the bible that mentions anything about a dress code

[Mr. Jeeves]

Not just Easter - I can't believe what people (especially men) wear in public these days. T-shirts, shorts and Birkenstocks, unshaven with uncombed hair in nice restaurants? Maybe I overdress, but I wouldn't be caught dead in public without at least decent slacks, brown or black casual shoes (never white tennis shoes!), a short or long-sleeve collared shirt, and a sport coat or at least a high-quality waterproof jacket when coats are necessary.

[threat matrix]

Jenna looks cute today!

[SamAdams76]

Could somebody here please explain to this Jew what bunnies, eggs and bonnets have to do with the resurrection of Christ?

I wish I had an answer for you. All I can think of is that some well-meaning but dopey people wanted to come up with ways to make these religious holidays more palatable to children. Hence the Easter Bunny on Easter and Santa Claus at Christmas. I don't get the "egg" thing because the only eggs I see my kids eating are the chocolate kind. Might as well just get them a Hershey bar for crying out loud.

As a result of this, these serious religious holidays are now seen by kids as an opportunity to stuff their faces with candy and have fun playing with all their new toys. Not that I'm the most religious person in the world, but even I see that it is a shame that our kids have no sense of what these holidays really mean anymore.

As for the original article about how people are dressed, I really couldn't care less about that. I mean, jeans and sneakers are definitely not appropriate for church-going, but I don't see the need to wear suits and fancy dresses either. Especially here in New England where it is still cold, damp and muddy.

[Dante3]

Dressing in sloppy or ugly clothes can represent disrespect or considering religion unimportant. It can also represent lack of any sense of aesthetics. Just look at all the ugliness around us -- ugly, bland buildings; ugly lawns; urban sprawl; ugly 'art'; ugly clothes.