This is the lovely Elaine, aka “Reverend Chef,” an up and coming pigeon in the PCUSA. There’s not much to say about Elaine except that she is wonderful. Her outward appearance matches her spirit. She is hip, funny, articulate, and very impressive. With apologies to Sir Arthur Sullivan, she is the very model of a modern major minister. Here’s her fun blog.
Those sleeves are so much fun, huh?
Now, Elaine had an event with some of the honchos from the PCUSA the evening after this photo was taken and she wanted my advice on whether this outfit could segue from seminary-student-day to aspirant-evening-event if she changed into black pants (Elaine, did I get that right? Or was it a skirt?). I said, “Nope, it’s a bit too sexy and young. Go with something more classic.”
Skinny jeans or pants tucked into boots are not professional wear for clergy. You can get away with it if you’re an art director somewhere, but it’s too edgy for the Church. How did I come to that decision? The same way I come to all my pronouncements on such matters: by imagining the general reaction to a woman walking into a church meeting room dressed that way. If the reaction would be anything like, “Holy cow, look at what SHE’S wearing,” the outfit gets a PeaceBang thumbs down. If the reaction would be, “Here comes that smart, impressive minister — gee, that’s a great/interesting outfit,” then we’re getting closer to what we want.
Kiss of peace to the wonderful Elaine!
But with black trousers OVER the boots (and the tank tucked in, or with a different color or shorter tank) wouldn’t this work for her for evening?? I get your point about the jeans/boots, but it seems that with opaque hose and a black pencil skirt or trousers over the boots this would go in the “win” category. . .
(great jacket, btw!)
I LOVE the jacket and my boot obsession just perked up, but I think this look would be even better if the jeans actually fit. Skinny jeans/ pants should only be tucked into boots if they don’t wrinkle and gather around the knee/ tuck point. Maybe I’m wrong but that is what I’ve always been told and what I am for with the pant tuck.
I love that jacket, too, and I love her boots, and her hair is totally cute.
If those jeans were tighter, wouldn’t they be too skin tight? I like a bit of wrinkle in my (and other people’s) jeans so I can be sure they are not jeggings, which verily are abominations.
I would also wonder- is there anyway to make that awesome jacket and those boots professional? Would it be okay with the skirt? I’ll listen to Auntie Peacebang on the no-jeans-tucked-in-boots rule if she can salvage that jacket for professional wear. [Oh, easy! Just do a fitted skirt and tights with the boots. Or a pair of slim black trousers and a nice bootie with a heel. Lots of options! But since the top has fancy lines, the bottom half should be tailored. – PB]
AHHH! Thanks for featuring me on the blog, friend! I feel so…affirmed! Just a follow up, I ended up wearing the skirt that matches the blazer & tights, with boots for the professional shindig. It worked out, needless to say…am headed to aforementioned church this weekend for interview stuffs. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do and are. Also, my husband is now a HUGE fan. Now part of our repertoire, “What would PB say?”
Much love to my soul sister. (:
No way, totally disagree, with all respect to you, PB. I love the outfit, and think jeans tucked into boots are okay for the occasional young minister… they just don’t seem edgy to me. But then maybe I’m just being stubborn. 🙁
Either way, PB, I think you’re fab! And it’s helpful to get little reminders to play it safe when I’m not sure. (PS–I’m not a minister-yet!-just in discernment with the UCC)
xoxo!