Beauty Tips for Ministers

“Casual July”

July 10, 2009 on 2:06 pm | In Clergy Image, Fighting Frump, Pastoral Fashion Emergency, Or "PeaceBang, Help!" | 7 Comments

My dear doves! A hot, sweaty clergywoman writes in with this query,

It’s hot & humid here in Large Midwestern City, and my parish administrator has declared “Casual July” in our office. She and others on staff are dressing in jeans and dare I say it SHORTS. As a clergy person, I would never wear shorts, of course, but can I participate? On days I know I won’t be doing anything liturgical, might I wear jeans?

My dear, warm colleague,

First of all, let PeaceBang applaud you con mucho gusto for your commitment to NOT WEARING SHORTS. Brava! As far as jeans go, absolutely wear them! Just don’t wear faded frumpy jeans. Click on my special “The Jeans Debate” category on the right margin over there for guidelines.
I also would stay away from the popular “skinny jeans” for professional wear. Even if you have the figure for them, they’re a bit racy for clergywomen. What you want is classy, nice jeans.

Some other ideas for humid days — a light cotton sundress with a cardigan over it, a polo shirt and cute cotton skirt, a lightweight tunic, jeans and sandals. If you work in an office that’s hot as Hades, it’s fair to have shoulders uncovered when it’s just you and your staff, but pop that cardigan or sheer pashmina wrap over you if parishioners stop by. No one should be seeing us in strappy tops. Crisp sleeveless shirts are fine if they have buttons and a collar and you have presentable arms, but sleeveless T’s are too undressed for office wear.

Thanks for the question, dear, and stay cool. What your administrative staff probably doesn’t know is that it’s actually cooler to wear a loose and light cotton over their legs while they work. Bare legs sweat more and stick to chairs.

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1. Can I make a suggestion for sleeveless tops? Get some skinny elastic tape (maybe 1/4″ wide) and snap fasteners, and make little safety belts for your bra straps. Sew the end of a piece of elastic to the neck edge of the shoulder seam, and one part of the snap to the inside of the top, the other end on the free end of the piece of elastic.

   It keeps the top anchored to the bra straps, and the straps never show. It takes only a few minutes per top, and is really worth the (tiny) investment in time and money to feel more modest and appropriate.

   Comment by Wendy in England — July 10, 2009 #

2. Oh, yes–you slip the elastic around the bra strap and then fasten the snap. They used to be called ‘lingerie straps’, and came in pretty satin ribbons on fancier garments. Mine are very un-fancy, and they act like the ’safety belts’ I call them!

   Comment by Wendy in England — July 10, 2009 #

3. a flowing print skirt, with a cotton culotte slip underneath is very professional and way cooler than jeans! I found my culotte half slips on amazon.com, sold by someone thru amazon.

   Comment by Carol — July 10, 2009 #

4. Chinos are cooler than jeans. Denim is thicker,
   unless it is so worn out it’s inappropriate for
   presentation in public. [Yep. I just think that chinos are often frumpy unless the person wearing them has a very slim, uncurvy figure. Jeans come in so many more flattering styles. - PB]

   Comment by S J — July 10, 2009 #

5. Ok, but what if you are under 40, and are wearing tasteful long black bermuda shorts with a non T-shirt top (for example)? I’m not talking frumpy walking shorts, but long professional-type shorts. Particularly if your day includes VBS? Skirts and rowdy children don’t often mix well! [Sounds cool to me! - PB]

   Comment by Stacy — July 12, 2009 #

6. How about trousers with linen and blends? Yes, I know it crushes, but the wrinkles do fall out, especially if it’s humid.

   Soft, cool, comfortable. Floppy linen trousers, paired with a cute (more fitted) top and nice sandals or flats, are really popular here.

   England isn’t as hot as some places in the US, but the truth is, we also aren’t routinely air conditioned. So, on our rare really hot days, a few cool outfits are very appreciated!

   Comment by Wendy in England — July 13, 2009 #

7. I’m entertained by Wendy’s comment – she’s describing what I’m wearing right now! Black linen trousers, teal fitted sleeves sweater. Black sandals. And a sweater, because it’s actually COLD in my office today.

   Comment by beachpsalms — July 15, 2009 #

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