The church dress code is one of the most debated aspects of dressing for the faithful most especially to those who are members of the clergy. Because of the general perceptions about religion, this has brought questions on whether fashion and the church can go hand in hand – are people allowed to maintain their style while going to church? Yes, the two can definitely meet at a certain point halfway as one can still maintain their style while attending church.
For women who are members of the faith, they can get a style that suits them and generally agrees to the church’s general standards of conduct. It’s like striking a balance between the two and coming up with the best possible outfit for any service or occasion – church-related or not. With several comfortable clergy dresses now available, it’s possible to find the one that fits your preferences and needs.
Clerical Clothing Ideas For Women
Maybe you’ve been accustomed to the long black or white robes worn by the clergy, but there’s more to it. It’s possible, especially for women, to add different styles to their clothing. They can achieve this while still maintaining the standard requirements of how members of the clergy should dress.
Here areas some of the ideas that can be incorporated into clerical clothing for women:
1. Go With A Color Of Your Choice
Unlike traditional attires of back then where people wore mainly black and white robes, people of today made room to allow some tweaks on the color of dresses and robes members of the clergy are permitted to don. This includes using pink, purple, maroon, or any other color of the wearer’s choice as long as it’s within the church’s guidelines.
Additionally, it’s possible to have wear fabric pieces of different color combinations. For example, if you have a black skirt, you can choose to match it with a white shirt or any other color that complements it. This has allowed women of the clergy to explore their style using shades that bring out the best in them through their manner of clothing.
2. Add In Appropriate Accessories
Another way to spice up your clerical apparel is by adding appropriate accessories to it. There is a range of different embellishment pieces from buttons, prints, color patterns, and jewelry accessories that you can choose from. They can help make the piece of clothing look more beautiful and trendier. It also gives you a chance to alter how the clothing looks to fit your personal design.
However, you should be keen not to overdo it as the primary focus should be on the clothing and not the additional embellishments. Taking it out there would overpower attire’s look and overwhelm and draw too much attention towards you.
3. Choose A Comfortable Length
The proper apparel dimensions of clerical clothing have also been a subject of talks on the acceptable length for dresses and skirts. However, the widely used length has always been below the knee to the ankle. Therefore, when wearing skirts, you should choose a length that you’re comfortable with.
For example, if you’re comfortable with showing some skin, you can opt for a skirt or dress that is slightly below the knee. If not, then you should look for long dresses and skirts. The same applies to the arm lengths of blouses and shirts. Choose a full arm-length shirt if you want to stay covered.
4. Explore Different Silhouettes
Whether you’re wearing a dress or a skirt, you have an option to explore different silhouettes styles. The primary consideration when choosing a silhouette should be your body type. For women with a slender body and a long body frame, the main silhouette for the clerical clothing can be mermaid or A-shaped.
For those with a plus-sized body, a round silhouette will suit perfectly with their body shape. The importance of choosing is that it complements your body. It also maintains a modest look which is perfect for a church setting.
5. Be Modest In Clothing
Finally, the most important thing when dressing for the church is to have honor and a sense of decency. When you dress, you’re allowed to add some designs and patterns to enhance your look, but you shouldn’t make it look sexy or attractive as this may draw contrary opinions on some sections.
Moreover, you should avoid wearing lace attires or any form that’ll reveal your body in a vulgar manner when serving in the clergy. Clergy fashion shouldn’t be taken to an extent where people may find it offensive.
Conclusion
As discussed, it’s possible for clerical clothing to have some sense of fashion and style in them. From colors to silhouettes, you have a variety of designs to choose from. As a woman, you should always consider your body, see what fits it best, and then try and balance with the church’s value and the position you hold. This will enable you to keep your style while serving.
Also, you should be keen not to overdo any addition to your clothing. Keep everything modest, and you’ll get it right.