Precious Peeps (not the marshmallow kind),
PeaceBang received this plaintive query just this very moment.
Easter is one of those times that brings out the contradictions of being a woman in ministry. All my upbringing says Easter is a time to dress like a girl. Lord knows at the end of this winter, I want some color, some print, some fun.
But it’s also the biggest Sunday of the year, the time when I certainly want my attire to speak loud and clear that I’m clergy.
I do NOT want to wear black on this day. I’m pretty much obligated to wear clericals. (And I still haven’t found a well-fitting size 4 clergy blouse). What’s a girl to do?
Darling Easter Priester,
I know. I know. It must be hard to wear those sombre clericals when your Inner Nine Year Old is dying to prance into church in a pretty dress, beribboned hat and black patent leather Mary Janes. One year I gave into this urge and wore purple Burberry plaid pumps with bows on them under my robe. The choir LOVED them! Those shoes have now been sold to a consignment store because that’s pretty much the only time I ever wore them. They served their purpose.
I do think you must leave the black clericals alone, but could you pair them with a great knee-length pencil skirt and pretty slingbacks? Or do a little something subtly festive with your hair? I think headbands can look far too juvenile on female clergy, but a thicker style can be very elegant and pretty.
Here are some ideas grabbed off the Christopher & Banks website (www.christopherandbanks.com):
Would a flyaway cut sweater work with clericals? No reason you can’t wear a bright color for coffee hour, right?
A pointelle sweater has some nice feminine detail and might work with a collared shirt.
This skirt is black but I love the floral detail at the hem. Something like this with a nice fitted white cardie or blazer and your clericals could be lovely — and add a pair of purple ballerina flats to be liturgically appropriate! See what I’m saying? Have fun!
I ordered this suit (in the green color) http://media.redcatsusa.com/is/image/chadwicks/mc/2113_76673_mc_0329.jpg?wid=230&hei=331&qlt=95&op_sharpen=1 from Chadwicks.
I usually wear my black “janie” but for easter I’m wearing a pale yellow clerical shirt with the suit and matching open toed shoes. It’s Easter. I can get away with it here.
Do you have a recommendation for nice hairbands on line? Thanks. [Check the archives under Accessories. I did a huge review of online hairband resources about a year ago. Good luck! – PB]
But what about Easter bonnets??? I know of at least one Episcopal clergywoman who got away with stashing one at the front of the church and putting it on for the final procession out. But she was a seriously classly lady and had definitely earned the right to do it.
I’m not about to attempt something so dramatic in my current position, but I do think it has potential for the future.
PS I’ll be wearing my black clericals with a pale green linen skirt suit. Alas, no visible toes for me, even though they’re nicely manicured. For one thing, I’m in a part of the country where it will be too cold. But more importantly, none of my open-toed shoes are comfortable enough to survive the big day. It’ll be my Dansko “Margots” all the way.
I have a skirt very similar to the one posted, and although I’m not clergy, I might pull it out for Easter Sunday–it will be too cold here for open shoes, and somehow the grey is just not right for bright colours.
But perhaps with my black stretchy boots and an ice-pink velvet blazer, it might just work!
attended a funeral on Wednesday – all day…
Maundy Thursday service
11am funeral on Good Friday
Good Friday Service
Directing the Egg Hunt and party on Saturday
Family is coming for the weekend…
Sermon??
haven’t even thought about what I might wear on Sunday!!!
[Hang in there, little sister! This will all get easier as the years go by, we promise. – PB]
I start planning my Easter outfit months in advance. I like the Easter bonnet thing. I could probably get away with it here. We had tea last weekend and everyone wore hats. They all loved my hat.
Do it, Easter Priester. If you can preach the resurrection without fear, you can also look like a normal lady without fear at the Easter brunch. I’m with PB–Wear the really good shoes, regardless. And don’t worry too much about the clericals. When I was pregnant (twice) I couldn’t find anything that wasn’t tent-like for a collar, so I just didn’t wear one. Not on Sundays, not for funerals. Not for weddings. Not at all. I did wear my alb, or robe, however during actual services. NO ONE, yes NO ONE said anything, and I doubt more than two even noticed. Now I wear my collar most of the time for Sundays and the aforementioned miscellaneous worship services, but not for all. I may very well not wear it Sunday, because my alb will be worn in worship. And I’m in a pretty conservative context. I guess all I’m saying is that you may have more wiggle room than you think.
Wow, although I am not a pre-minister (or a minister) myself, from now on this is where I’m getting all my fashion tips. What a fun blog! Just discovered you from the Alltop Humor blog lister thinggie.
P.L. Frederick (Small & Big)