What Should We Wear to Church?
Over the past 20 years of preaching and teaching God’s Word, I have noticed a change in the clothing people wear to church. It appears fewer and fewer people are dressing up for church. In fact, our culture has become generally less formal. Men simply aren't wearing suits as frequently, even in industries where they used to. This may not be the same everywhere, but in our part of the country, the only people that I can think of who still wear suits are lawyers and criminals in court. I even surveyed the twenty-three churches in our area and found only one preacher who wore a suit and tie last Sunday.
So that brings us to today’s question, “What should we wear to church?” Should we wear our “Sunday best” or dress more casually? Should men wear a suit and tie to worship? Well, as always, let’s see what the Bible says.
Introduction
In order to answer this question, we must turn to the Bible. Paul wrote,
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17 | ESV)
Worshipping God is certainly a good work, and the Bible can equip us to do so in a way that pleases Him.
It doesn't matter how I feel about the subject, and it doesn't matter what others think–only what God says matters.
Here is how we will approach this topic:
We will look at a very brief overview of clothing worn in the Bible.
Then, we will examine what the New Testament teaches concerning Christian clothing.
Next, we’ll dig into the history of dressing up for worship.
Finally, we will consider five popular arguments in favor of dressing up for Sunday.
Survey of Biblical Evidence
An Overview of Clothing Worn in the Bible
In the beginning, Adam and Eve were naked. But after sin entered the world, clothing became the norm (Genesis 1–3). Throughout history, clothing has reflected a person’s status, wealth, position, and gender.
Here are a few examples:
Royal robes were worn by kings to distinguish them from commoners (2 Chronicles 18:9; Esther 6:8; 1 Kings 22:30).
Sackcloth was worn during times of grief and mourning to symbolize the inner pain someone felt at the loss of a loved one (Joel 1:8), to show repentance (Jonah 3:5), or to mourn a political tragedy (Joel 1:13; 2 Kings 19:1).
Prostitutes could be recognized by their clothing (Genesis 38:14–15; Proverbs 7:10).
Under the Law of Moses, clothing was regulated:
Men and women were to wear gender-appropriate clothing (Deuteronomy 22:5).
They were to make tassels on the corners of their garments (Numbers 15:37-41).
Their clothing couldn’t be made of mixed materials (Leviticus 19:19).
The priests had special clothing that they wore in their service to God (Exodus 28 and 39).
Ordinary Israelites, however, wore their regular clothes. The only requirement seems to have been that they be ceremonially clean by bathing and washing their clothes. Leviticus 11-15 explains many of the ways one could become ceremonially unclean.
In the New Testament, we also see a variety of clothing styles being worn:
The rich and those in king's palaces wore fine clothes.
John the Baptist wore camel hair and a leather belt (Matthew 11:8).
The Scribes and Pharisees wore special clothing to set themselves apart from the regular people (Matthew 23:5; Mark 12:38).
Jesus and his apostles wore normal clothing.
Sandals were the footwear of the day.
The New Testament’s Teaching on Clothing
Don’t Worry About Your Clothing
The first thing we see is that there is no need to be worried about our clothing.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?…But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:25, 33 | ESV)
Clothing is one of life's necessities–like food and water, we all need clothing. However, it is not something that we should be anxious about. Paul said,
“…for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” (1 Timothy 6:7–8 | ESV)
Don’t Dress for Show
Too many people worry about keeping up with the Joneses, about having the “right” clothing, and projecting the right image. But the Christian life isn’t about having the best clothing, being the most stylish, or projecting the best image. These are the things the world goes after. Instead, we should focus on seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness, not seeking to be the best-dressed man or woman.
“They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long…” (Matthew 23:5 | ESV)
“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces…” (Mark 12:38 | ESV)
These verses warn us not to practice our faith to look good. Whether it’s how we pray, how we fast, how we give, or how we dress, we should not be doing it to be seen by others.
The Scribes and Pharisees knew that their clothing made a statement about them, and to appear serious about their faith, maybe more religious, or more holy, they wore clothing that was different from others. They stood out in the crowd, and everyone could see how devoted they were just by looking at their clothing.
Unfortunately for them, Jesus didn't seem to be too impressed.
In some of the epistles, we see that dressing in our best clothing may not always be appropriate.
“…women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.” ( 1 Timothy 2:9-10 | ESV)
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:3-4 | ESV)
In the Greco-Roman world, clothing and adornment were powerful indicators of social class—much like how, today, distinctions exist between blue-collar and white-collar workers, management and labor, or the educated and less educated.
When these women would dress up, it could distract from worship, make others feel inferior, or cause tension among believers. It doesn't appear that these women were trying to look more spiritual or religious, like the scribes and the Pharisees were. It probably had more to do with their social status. If we assume the best in them, maybe they were sincerely trying to give their best to God. Whatever the reason was for them wearing their best, God was not interested in it. He wanted modest clothing, specifically clothing that wasn’t too fancy.
Focusing on our clothing can distract us from true spiritual beauty: a gentle and quiet spirit, modesty, self-control, and good works.
Follow Cultural Norms of Gender-Based Clothing
“Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.” (1 Corinthians 11:4–5 | ESV)
According to the best historical sources, in Corinth, married women typically wore a head covering, and men did not. When these Christians were engaged in prayer or prophecy, they were to dress as they normally did. Women were to keep their head coverings on, and men were not to put one on.
Don’t Show Partiality
“My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? (James 2:1-4 | ESV)
Study after study shows that well-dressed individuals often receive preferential treatment in various social and professional contexts. This is the exact reason why many suggest men should wear a suit and tie.
In James’ illustration, the problem is showing partiality based on appearance. Of course, we are responsible for not giving preferential treatment to the well-dressed and for treating the poor equally. But is there more to it? The poor man could do very little about his situation; he was poor, but had the other man dressed modestly, not wearing his gold ring or fine clothing, this problem may have been averted.
If we are inclined to wear our Sunday best to worship, we might want to be aware that we could become a stumbling block to our brethren who are tempted to give preferential treatment to those who wear a suit and tie. Dressing in simple, modest clothing could help.
Conclusions from Scripture
So, having looked at what the Bible says about Christian clothing, can we answer the question, “Should we dress up for church?” I think so.
The answer is, maybe it depends on your starting point. Some people might need to dress up, others may need to dress down. Some should just come as they normally dress. Sound confusing? The point is this: dress modestly and don’t draw attention to yourself. It is just that simple.
However, the idea that we should dress up for worship is so prevalent in American church culture that, to be fair, we need to look at some of the arguments given for the idea.
But, having seen that there is no command, example, or necessary inference in Scripture that teaches us to dress up for church in formal western attire, where does this idea come from?
The History of Dressing Up for Church
Our modern tradition of dressing up for church or wearing our “Sunday best” came from the Industrial Revolution and people’s worldly ambitions to look like the rich.
Before the Industrial Revolution, tailored garments and fine clothing made from expensive fabrics like silk, velvet, and lace were only affordable for the wealthy and elite. Commoners like farmers, laborers, and tradesmen wore simple, practical clothes made from rough fabrics such as wool, linen, and cotton.
However, after the Industrial Revolution, with the invention of machines like the spinning jenny, the power loom, and the sewing machine, clothing could be mass-produced. Fabrics became cheaper and more available, and ready-made clothes could be sold in stores. The middle-class and even working-class people could now buy nicer clothes — including suits, shirts, and dresses that looked like what the wealthy wore.
Over time, dressing nicely became a symbol of respectability for the middle class, as it had been for the upper class. Church culture, especially in Europe and America, adopted a new middle-class value of “wearing your Sunday best.” This was seen as a sign of moral seriousness and prosperity.
That’s important: People started wearing their Sunday best to show others that they were morally serious and prosperous.
“Dressing up for church” and “wearing your Sunday best” is a cultural tradition started by worldly ambition, not a biblical command. Many preachers who saw this trend taking place in Christianity preached against it.
In 1839, Alexander Campbell encouraged the readers of the Millennial Harbinger to,
“dress himself according to the Christian mirror, in the plainest and most unassuming garb.”
He went on to say,
“To see worshippers appear in church as at a marriage feast, a presidential meeting, a theatre, a dance — either in dress, manners, or general demeanor — strikes all persons of reflection as snow in summer or applause in the midst of a prayer.”
John Wesley also frequently wrote and spoke out against fine adornment, saying,
“Let your dress be cheap, as well as plain…”
Nevertheless, the trend continued until it became an entrenched part of Western culture.
Nowadays, some Christians are disturbed by our modern change in culture to a simpler or more casual style of dress. They think we should continue to dress up for church as we would to attend a wedding or to meet the president. So, let’s look at five arguments in favor of dressing up for church.
Arguments for Dressing Up for Church
#1 We Should Give God Our Best
Many argue that we should give our best to God all the time, which would naturally include the clothing we choose to wear on Sunday. In their minds, our “best” is usually equated with formal clothing: a suit and tie for men, and a dress for women.
While the phrase “give God our best” is not in the Bible, the concept certainly is, and on the surface, this seems to make a lot of sense. At least, until we realize that some of the women in 1 Timothy 2 were told not to wear their best clothing. Their best clothing was too nice.
Let’s think about this a little bit more. What exactly is our best clothing? Is it our most expensive clothing? Maybe, but I would argue that our best clothing changes with our circumstances:
The best clothing for a graduation is a cap and gown.
The best clothing for a black-tie dinner is a tuxedo or formal gown.
The best clothing for a construction site is a hard hat, steel-toed boots, and work gear.
The best clothing for military combat is BDUs, a helmet, and body armor.
It would not be best to wear a tuxedo on the construction site or BDUs to a Black-tie Dinner.
The best clothing to wear to worship is clothing that God has requested, which is modest clothing. Not too fancy, and not too skimpy. The emphasis is on not drawing attention to yourself.
Since God has not required us to wear a specific style of clothing to worship Him, should we require it of others? Should we bind where God has not bound?
Just as a side note, when did God say he wanted us to give him our clothes on Sunday? Wearing clothing seems to be an expedient to fulfill the command to assemble, much like having a building is. We need a place to meet, and we also need something to cover our bodies with when we meet.
#2 We Are Not to Be Conformed to the World
It is often thought that since our culture is becoming more casual in the way we dress, we should resist this change and continue to dress formally for worship.
It is true that as Christians, we are not to be conformed to this world:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…" (Romans 12:2 | ESV)
Is Paul talking about clothing here? Is he concerned with ties or t-shirts? Or maybe with women wearing pants? I don't think so, but for the sake of argument, let’s say he is. My question is, who is telling us that a suit and tie is best? The Bible, or the world?
We already noted that after the Industrial Revolution, common people wanted to dress like the rich to show that they were morally serious and prosperous. That sounds a lot like being conformed to this world, maybe even the lust of the flesh or the pride of life.
I was recently reading an interesting article about why wearing a suit is better than dressing casually. Here is some of what it said:
When you’re dressed in a suit and tie, you’re sending a message that you’re serious and ready to take on any challenge.
Dressing up can command respect from others.
Dressing up can be a powerful way to establish yourself as a style-oriented and dapper individual.
Additionally, dressing up can help you stand out from the crowd.
If wearing simple, modest clothing is conformity with the world, so is dressing up.
A rhetorical question often asked at this point is, “Should we allow the culture to dictate what we wear?” Meaning, because the culture is becoming less formal, we should remain more formal.
Actually, both formal clothing and informal clothing are dictated by culture. I would argue that any clothing style other than the animal skins given to Adam and Eve after they sinned and the priestly garments described by Moses is dictated by culture, ie, the world.
Dressing up in our best clothes might be more in line with conforming to this world than wearing simple, modest clothing is.
#3 We Should Give God the Same Respect We Would Give at a Wedding, Funeral, or to Meet the President
I have never met the President, nor do I know anyone who has. But I would imagine that if I were invited to the White House, I would ask, “What should I wear?” If they said to wear a suit, that is what I would wear. If they said to wear my Boy Scout uniform, I would wear that. If they said to dress casually, that is what I would do. Meeting the president in anything other than a suit is not inherently disrespectful.
It is similar to a wedding or a funeral. If formal attire is requested by the host, it would be disrespectful to wear anything else, but when it isn’t specified, we have freedom. I recently attended both a funeral and a wedding where very few men were wearing suits, and it was perfectly fine.
Another problem with this argument is that it assumes the only time we come into the presence of the Lord is on Sunday morning. What about Sunday night? What about Wednesday night? What about when we pray for our meals? Or sing praises while we are doing the dishes? Are we constantly dressing up for Him when we come into His presence? If not, why not?
#4 We Should Not Be a Distraction to Others
The argument is that if we wear overly casual or revealing clothes, we can distract people by shifting their focus from worship to our attire (or lack of). There is no doubt that we can all recognize when someone is being distracting by their dress. When we discuss this issue, we usually seem to focus on women being too revealing and men being too casual.
But there is another aspect I want to bring into the discussion that I have never really thought about before studying this topic, probably because I’m not a woman and don't think like one.
Multiple studies indicate that women are generally more attracted to well-dressed men:
A survey by Bows-N-Ties.com found that women are three times more attracted to men wearing a suit and tie compared to those in shorts and a T-shirt.
A Men's Wearhouse survey revealed that 91% of Americans believe dressing well can make a man appear more physically attractive, with 78% of women asserting that one of the hottest things a guy can do is to dress well.
A study by King and Allen found that 80% of women surveyed rated men in suits as more attractive compared to those in casual attire.
Just as women need to be mindful of how they dress so as not to distract the men, men need to do the same. A handsome suit and tie may not be your best choice.
#5 People in the OT Wore Special Clothing to Worship God, So We Should Too
People living in the Mosaic age worshipped in a variety of ways that were a shadow of the reality we have in Christ. Their Old Testament worship consisted of carnal (fleshly) ordinances (cf. He 9:1-10), such as:
A physical structure, the tabernacle and temple.
A special priesthood
Special clothing
Lamp stands
Burning incense
Instruments of music
Feast days
Animal and meal sacrifices
None of the above are parts of New Testament worship, and to appeal to the Law as a justification for New Testament worship practices is unwise at best.
Conclusion
None of the arguments given for why Christians should dress up in their Sunday best are very convincing, especially when you take into account what the New Testament says about our clothing choices.
To honor God, we should dress modestly, not drawing attention to ourselves, and not show partiality to those who dress well. Exactly what that looks like may depend on our specific situation and the culture we live in.
If you have any other arguments on why we should dress up in our Sunday best for church, please share them in the comments below.
If you would like to study an overview of the entire Bible, we have this playlist of videos that you might find helpful.
