What the heck do I wear?

[Graham]

I can see that this thread has divided us into two camps:
1. Kilted and Tied
2. Kilted and Tieless

Perhaps we need a couple of new forums, what do you think Hank?:rolleyes::mrgreen:

[jfellrath]

Graham (and all),

I am among the tie-haters camp, though I do have plenty of them that I've had to wear for previous jobs. I generally made the best of it and tried to find interesting ties with themes - history, animals, etc. It made it fun.

Generally, in the US, you won't go wrong if you decide to wear a tie. If worse comes to worse and no one is wearing one, you can slip it off and put it away if you want.

I agree with Muddy - I used to hate ties a lot more before I got some shirts that fit my neck well (I have a larger-than-normal neck).

At most church functions I go to these days (not many, but a few with my wife) the younger men generally don't wear ties or jackets, the older men do wear them. Generally the younger men wear "business casual" clothing. This is a rather liberal Episcopal Church in a major city in case you'd like some reference.

[Muddy]

Typically in the USA one wears a business suit with a four in hand tie to church. If that is not possable, I would wear a nice shirt and tie.

Wow, not in my church man! What denomination are you talking
about there? Just curious. Not trying to stir anything up (or anyone).
My "non-denominational" church is very, very laid back. The pastor
wears shorts when it's sunny. I'm pretty sure Jesus and the apostles
wore whatever everyone else wore at the time. No suits, ties or big
pointy hats.......I've worn a suit and tie to church before 'cause I just
felt like it and everyone wondered who died............

[Doc Hudson]

Wow, not in my church man! What denomination are you talking
about there? Just curious. Not trying to stir anything up (or anyone).
My "non-denominational" church is very, very laid back. The pastor
wears shorts when it's sunny. I'm pretty sure Jesus and the apostles
wore whatever everyone else wore at the time. No suits, ties or big
pointy hats.......I've worn a suit and tie to church before 'cause I just
felt like it and everyone wondered who died............

I believe Sir Robert is an Episcopalian as I am. And we do tend to wear coats and ties in Fall, Winter, and Spring, but during the Summer, things tend to loosen up. Most of us still wear ties, but leave the jackets off, but some will leave the ties off, and some of the younger folk will even wear shorts. But even in Summer, the priest wears his vestments.

I can well remember one Confirmation Service held at an outdoor church at Kawliga Park in Alabama. The only people not wearing shorts, and short-sleeve shirts in the August heat were the priest and Bishop Stough. They were in full vestments and came close to collapsing in the heat. Our priest later told me that he'd tried to get Bishop Stough to dispense with the vestments and perform the service in shirtsleeves. The Bishop declined on the grounds that the young people being confirmed would feel short-changed if they were denied the full service complete with vestments since that was the customary service. Bishop Stough was a tough old gent.

[macwilkin]

I believe Sir Robert is an Episcopalian as I am. And we do tend to wear coats and ties in Fall, Winter, and Spring, but during the Summer, things tend to loosen up. Most of us still wear ties, but leave the jackets off, but some will leave the ties off, and some of the younger folk will even wear shorts. But even in Summer, the priest wears his vestments.

I can well remember one Confirmation Service held at an outdoor church at Kawliga Park in Alabama. The only people not wearing shorts, and short-sleeve shirts in the August heat were the priest and Bishop Stough. They were in full vestments and came close to collapsing in the heat. Our priest later told me that he'd tried to get Bishop Stough to dispense with the vestments and perform the service in shirtsleeves. The Bishop declined on the grounds that the young people being confirmed would feel short-changed if they were denied the full service complete with vestments since that was the customary service. Bishop Stough was a tough old gent.

Sounds similar to our parish, Doc, although you don't see very many shorts, even on the young ones. We still have "society ladies" that wear hats! To keep this message "on-topic", we have at least four kilted gentlemen at St. John's, and our rector was stationed at the US Navy base at Holy Loch and is very supportive of our Scottish society. We usually use the parish hall for meetings, and hold our annual St. Andrew's Day service there.

I've been in vestements in July with no A/C -- "character-building" is the phrase I would use! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd