Whatcha Gonna Wear?

While I’m in Portland recording new episodes of The Visitation Project, I’ve invited some bloggers to step in and take over Shoved to Them. Today, I’m handing it over to Holly from Fine Linen & Purple.

Hello! I’m so glad to be here in Rebecca’s neck of the woods today. I normally can be found over at Fine Linen and Purple where we talk a lot about Faith, and also about fashion. We also host the long running What I Wore Sunday series, where people link up what they wore to Mass. Let’s chat a little about dressing for Mass shall we?

We have received questions as to why we run a series that is based on clothing. Aren’t we aware that Jesus loves us no matter what we wear? And don’t we know what it’s like to get kids ready to go to Mass? Who has money to buy enough clothes to wear something different all the time? All excellent questions and valid points. And guess what? Jesus does love you no matter what you wear. Getting kids ready for church is hard, and so is wrangling them in the pews! As far as repeat outfits to Mass? If that’s an offense, I’m a repeat offender.

Then why in the world do I write a blog that puts the emphasis on clothing?

Because even though Jesus loves us at our worst, he also loves us at our best. And everywhere in between. Here’s the thing – if I am going to a wedding I follow the dress code out of respect for the couple, at least as much as I am able. If I were going to meet the Queen of England I would also dress in the best possible way. At Mass, we are going to visit the King of Heaven and Earth. I could go to Mass in whatever I wanted to wear and no one is going to ask me to leave. But why not go above and beyond for Jesus? Why not set the blue jean shorts aside and grab a maxi skirt or some dress pants?

Also, women need to know that it’s not a bad thing if they want to dress up! It’s ok to want to look nice – it doesn’t make you vain and it doesn’t mean you lack humility. I’m not saying that some people don’t take it to that extreme, but we’re talking about everyday women, not women that spend six hours in front of the mirror every single day.

Many of us that participate in What I Wore Sunday do so to inspire each other to make the most out of what’s in our closets, not to encourage crazy clothes/makeup/hair product shopping sprees. I have gotten some brilliant mix and match ideas from other bloggers, and found ways to make new outfits out of pieces I already have. And of course, I love the community.

My outlook on dressing for Mass certainly isn’t the only one that matters though. Here’s some thoughts from this guy….