Hi, Vicki! I happened to read Rosemary Bray-McNatt’s memoir recently, and discovered the following passage, which is such a beautiful articulation of why and how presentation matters–and as I read it, I could hear similar words come out of your mouth. It’s also a really good concrete example of how class, gender & race impact the issue and articulates the “feminist” argument that caring about what we look like is kowtowing to the patriarchy, which, if you ask me, is entirely untrue.

“At the debate that night, Mrs. Schlafly faced Karen DeCrow, who showed up in jeans and a shirt, living up to every stereotype of feminists ever created. I was always a low maintenance woman, myself, and agreed with the notion that looks were often irrelevant. But for me, the operative word was often. I was also an African-American woman who knew that what you wore, how you fixed your hair, even your shoes telegraphed a host of messages. I would never have appeared before a public body in jeans and a shirt to debate an important political issue. Where I came from, the way you dressed was a respect issue: I would have been representing my people as well as myself, and how I looked would matter to those for whom I hoped to speak. For me personally, the way I dressed would also be a strategic issue. I would never allow an audience to be distracted from my message because they were too busy wondering why I didn’t put on appropriate clothes.” (from Unafraid of the Dark by Rosemary L. Bray, p. 166)

Amen and amen!!! Thanks, Lisa. I loved Rosie’s autobiography and you’ve reminded me that it’s high time to give it another read.

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Hi Victoria,
I’m a [Protestant] pastor, age XX, down in Florida, south of XX. I’m planning on hitting the streets this summer in an area that is low education and low income … we might consider inner city. I would like to look professional. Can I wear a collar with shorts and sandals? Remember it is beastly hot here! Also I’m wondering about a hat. Father Sarducci always wore one! I know you don’t do men’s fashion, but i don’t know anyone to ask who might have some fashion sense! Any advise would be appreciated … and I understand if you’re busy or just plain stumped by the question!

Blessings, J.

Dear J.,

Watch out for ‘GATORS! They’re HUGE down there. I’ve seen them with my own eyes. Do not — I repeat — do NOT attempt to evangelize the alligators.
Now, whattya mean, I don’t “do” men’s fashion? Of course I do! Not nearly as often as I advise women clergy, but there’s a whole bunch of archives for my fellas! Just go to the pull-down menu of categories and feast your eyes on my Tips for the Menfolk of the Cloth.

Now for your question.

Yes, I think it’s okay to wear shorts in the climate you’re describing, if not ideal. If you go that route, make sure to get walking shorts in khaki or black and wear them with black clericals. The key to looking professional in shorts is to be very well groomed. This means a good hair-cut, legs and feet that aren’t scaly and dry, and shorts that aren’t flappy and wrinkled but that look respectable (and worn with shirt tucked in and a nice belt). Do consider that men who live in very hot climates do NOT wear shorts, but loose cotton trousers, and consider researching some of those options. I think you could look really great in white cotton or linen pants and huaraches, with a Panama hat, but I’ve never seen you and I don’t know your style.

Here’s a really helpful article about dressing for hot weather. This guy makes a lot of good points.

Let’s look at some garments and discuss. Click on the images to enlarge:

This is a clean and handsome look, but not very professional to my eye. See how the shorts are too sporty and boyish? They seem just a bit too short. Again, very handsome, but not priestly.

Please do not wear cargo shorts on the job. They’re great for all the pockets, but they’re a mess of wrinkles and floppiness once you have them on.

A lot of men in hot climates wear drawstring pants. I don’t think they’d work with clericals but certainly for the times you’re not in your collar, a crisp pair of white cotton drawstring pants and a linen shirt with huaraches can keep you cool and presentable.

These are huaraches, in case you were wondering:

And this is the aforementioned Panama hat:

This is actually a really nice look for a casual day of walking around. You’ve got the black walking shorts, a great pair of classic canvass sneaks, and your clericals. Get a nice pair of sunglasses and you’d be sharp!

This is a look that makes me tremble with fear and horror. It’s all business upstairs, all Dorks Galore downstairs.

THOU SHALT NOT WEAR SOCKS WITH THY SHORTS.

And again, just to give you the full force of how very irredeemable this is:

I’d really recommend that you try to find some nice linen twill chinos. Also, try to be as handsome as this male model, as it will greatly enhance your ability to bring the gospel to Floridians. Just kidding, J! Thanks for writing and send me some photos of yourself in full Rev. City Gator Mode.

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Here is why you must, must, must see it:

Abramovic is the first person I have known to perfectly articulate and exemplify what it is we must bring to worship, which is a particular consciousness. In order to create the possibility for shared consciousness among worshipers, we must first get there ourselves through multiple disciplines: study, prayer, work, rest, self-examination, preparation.

Abramovic refers to her performances in terms of creating charismatic space, and when I heard this phrase I almost jumped out of my skin with a great Ah-ha! This is the phrase I have been looking for all my ministerial life to describe what it is we are trying to do in worship. In all my years of training lay people, seminarians and clergy to craft liturgy and lead worship, I have spoken in terms of “managing energy” and “moving through the liturgy with intentionality.” I have always taught that there are performative aspects to liturgy that we must take seriously as artists; that we cannot simply show up to read something or light a candle and to expect God to make it happen for the community: the “it” being that ineffable sense of time out of time, or what we call “sacred space.”

I have attended countless worship services where the worship leader droned on and on about “sacred space” and used all the right language but totally failed to create charismatic space.

Before you get suspicious of the use of the word “charisma” in this context, may I please remind you of the Greek and Pauline origins of the word. A charism is a gift of the Spirit. It is not merely about personality and star quality. Watch Abramovic bring transcendent presence to the moment she shares with those who stand on line for hours to sit with her, and you will see what I mean. She is not just a rock star performance artist. She is a committed and disciplined woman hard at work in the service of her vocation. You should be able to relate.

Also, if you ever doubted the tremendous power that being fully present to another human being can have in their life, watch “The Artist Is Present.” It will remind you that we may experience salvation through being truly regarded by someone who has devoted themselves to being in our presence.

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Happy graduation day to all our graduates!

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Seriously! Boat shoes!

I grew up in the prep era in one of the towns featured in “The Preppy Handbook,” and was a theatre kid who avoided the preppy look like the plague. Now as a middle aged gal, I am having a lot of fun seeing the resurgence of some of the classics from my youth in New Canaan, Connecticut (say it with a clenched jaw, please, Muffy).

I find myself really yearning for a strand of graduated PEARLS, for God’ sake! If you spot me in a Fair Isle sweater and turtleneck with an add-a-bead necklace pulled out of the top of the turtleneck, please do something drastic, will you?

I don’t have any boat shoes but I am so happy to see that the Oxfords trend continues unabated. I posted this back in September.

I bought these from Zulily and I love them with a pair of black slim-leg pants, black blazer and bright blue blouse. Or with black slim-leg jeans, a cardigan and a scarf knotted at the neck, my hair in a top-knot and my Warby Parker specs.

And look at the fabulosity of these old-school Bass Weejuns done up in metallic! If you order these (and who could blame you?), remember that Weejuns run a bit tight across the instep and take some breaking in. Once accomplished, however, these babies will honestly last you a lifetime. Muffy and Biff still have theirs from 1987! Although not in silver, which would be far too flashy for the country club.

A friend bought me a pair of these Calvin Klein tie-less Oxfords in sand color. I am LOVING them. The nailhead detail and heel make them just a tiny bit tough.

Now, a word of caution. Oxfords and other neo-prep flats require some styling or they will instantly identify you as Suburban Realtor On Her Day Off, Tennis Mom or Boat Mom. I love tennis and boat moms, and I love suburban realtors (especially the one I’m working with right now), but you are a community leader and you need to present with more panache.

Click on all these photos to enlarge.

Also? Need I say? These are NOT to be preached in.

photo by chictopia

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