Jeans With Clergy Shirts

I think she may be right, kitty cats:

Dear PeaceBang, I found your blog via Courtney Wilder’s piece in Sightings, and find your musings absolutely delightful! As a young Episcopal priest, I have been complaining for some time about clergy women’s frumpy clothing. Frumpy does not equal professional, nor does it in any way help our cause as women clergy. I do love your blog, and also must comment on one subject on which we may not agree. It seems to me that jeans may not go well with a clergy shirt, regardless of how nice those jeans may be. Far too often I see women clergy wearing “mom” style (high waisted, tapered leg) acid wash jeans (as though those aren’t bad enough on their own) with those horribly baggy black ALMY clergy shirts tucked in. But perhaps even nice jeans are a no-no? At any rate, thanks for your blog, and your wider ministry, too.

The last time I saw a young, hip minister chick in jeans and a clergy shirt, I thought the jeans were too snug by far. It isn’t that she didn’t look great, it’s that she looked somehow defiantly sexy and cool, which I thought created an unsettling and untrustworthy persona. There are so many other options. Why not choose a wise one? Sorry if I sound prim, pigeons, but I should not have aggressive visual access to your pelvis and thighs. It makes me wonder what needs you’re trying to get met with such an outfit. “I NEED TO STILL BE HOT,” is what I read, and that’s not a mature message.

4 Replies to “Jeans With Clergy Shirts”

  1. I concur. Jeans are problematic for anything but our off time for those of us who are north of 50 anyway. But please, no Almy-bashing. I couldn’t do without my poly Almy shell which slips easily under more fashionable looking attire.

  2. I would say that goes for guys as well. Wearing a clergy shirt with jeans is like wearing a white dress shirt and tie with jeans. This is never a good look. You might call it a fashion mullet, business on the top, party on the bottom.

  3. (late to the party as usual)
    At an Ash Wednesday service, one of the local women clergy -not on duty- was wearing her clergy collar with a state university mascot sweatshirt! not sure if she was wearing jeans or khakis, i could not take my eyes off the combo of collar and sweatshirt.
    Gotta figure out how to tactfully suggest she read this blog! [*thunk* I just fell out of my chair. You must be KIDDING ME.- PB]

  4. My concern is that I am a newly ordained minister and want to represent god in a way that doesnt offend I do not own many pants and feel like I am a humble servant of him jeans is what I will typically wear and any comments would be appreciated

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