Between the 4th and 6th centuries, early Christian ministers adopted distinctive attire, setting them apart from the people they shepherded. As long robe-like garments of the Roman and Greek Empires became less popular in civil life, the church retained the attire for clergy, which evolved into what we know today as vestments.
In many Christian traditions, clergy still wear liturgical garments. As a low-church Baptist, I have limited knowledge about the use and symbolism of Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, and Episcopal vestments. However, in many of these churches, the expectations concerning clergy attire are clear. This article addresses the muddied perspectives of dress codes in evangelical churches.
How a pastor dresses is ultimately much less important than teaching sound doctrine and caring for the congregation. But people do notice what you wear. I’m personally into watches and dress shoes. These two hobbies affect my fashion decisions; my church obviously sees these choices when I preach. My Saturday night routine involves polishing shoes and picking a matching watch strap. I tend to dress up more than down.
But a couple of questions come to mind regarding the unwritten dress code of pastors. Should pastors dress up on Sunday since they are leaders? Or should they try to blend in with the congregation and be more relatable?
Dress up or blend in? If you dress up, you tend to be more formal than the typical church member. Since I minister in Southwest Florida, flip-flops are standard church attire. My polished leather shoes and tailored sport jacket stand out as dressier than most. Some pastors dress similarly to the typical church member and are not easily identifiable unless on the stage or behind the pulpit. Why does it matter?
Dressing up signals discipline, preparedness, and respect. Blending in signals relatability and approachability. Neither approach is wrong, but you can’t be both simultaneously. In fact, I suspect most pastors are choosing their Sunday outfits more intuitively than strategically. Or they grew up a certain way and retained the habit. Even if you give almost no thought to how you look on Sunday morning, you still send signals by how you dress.
Age and personality play a role. I enjoy the details of craftsmanship. Omega’s co-axial escapement is one of the most significant advancements in watchmaking in the last two hundred years. The Edward Green 888 last is the perfect blend of modern style and elegance—the finest of Northampton shoemaking. I enjoy wearing watches and dress shoes because they fit my personality. You should feel free to dress in a way that fits who you are.
Not only does personality affect style, but age does as well. There is a cringe factor when watching a pastor “try too hard” with fashion. The goal is often to appear far younger, but the attempt falls flat. Your wardrobe will naturally evolve with age—and perhaps your waistline. It’s ok to graduate from one style to the next as you get older.
Casual attire can be high status. Some sneakers are status symbols, much more so than bespoke oxfords. Forms of casual dress can be a sartorial flex. Just because you are wearing a hoodie and jeans does not mean you are dressing down to blend in, especially if the clothing articles are from limited production lines of desirable brands. Accessories such as fountain pens, briefcases, and even specific Bible editions can project high-status signals.
I have no problem with pastors making consumer choices. I am a free market capitalist, so if you want to spend money on an expensive fountain pen or a nice pair of sneakers, that’s your decision. You may intentionally spend less on a vehicle, for example, to spend more in another area. While I may spend more on a pair of dress shoes, someone who is an avid fly fisherman may pay the same amount for a top-of-the-line rod and reel.
Perhaps some of you believe this subject is trivial when considering the grand work of God’s kingdom. You are correct. But pastors do receive a lot of comments (both positive and negative) about their wardrobe choices. So, be wise about how you dress, but don’t be overly consumed with fashion. You may choose to blend in to be more approachable. Or you may choose to dress up to signal respectability and discipline. I can’t imagine wearing a hoodie to preach (or vestments for that matter), but I think it’s great if you do.
Posted on March 27, 2025
As President of Church Answers, Sam Rainer wears many hats. From podcast co-host to full-time Pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church, Sam’s heart for ministry and revitalization are evident in all he does.
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11 Comments
Interesting article, as a pastor of a rural church in a small town in a semi-arid region in South Australia. So, I tend to wear a dress shirt and Jeans in the Spring-summer season, the temp can reach over 40 degrees Celsius, so a sports coat would be extremely uncomfortable and impractical. In the autumn-winter season, where the temperature can get very cold, at times a high of 13 degrees Celsius, so I wear a sports coat over the dress shirt.
I also consider my congregation in this. Many are people who live in the town, some are still on farmers or farm workers. The usual dress casual in style. They do not ask that I dress a certain why, but i do want to dress in a style that is appropriate for the cultural context that I am in.
This may be an Australian thing, but most pastors do not wear three-piece suits, or jeans and hoodies, but do dress in a manner that is sensitive to the culture that they are ministering to.
To the extent that we wish to model Jesus, there is no indication that he dressed any different than the average person. He certainly did not flaunt wealth as he had none . . . at least not financial wealth, so no designer cloak or sandals. Pastors are not superior to anyone else and should not dress or act in a manner that suggests they are.
Thank you for this very informative perspective, Sam!!
Great comments from everyone! Thank you for reading and contributing your thoughts. I love the different perspectives given.
I’m a little late to this “party,” but my input is this: I feel that God is much more concerned about the condition of our hearts than He is in what we have on our shoulders, wrists, legs, or feet. Remember the stories of the Pharisee and the tax collector at the altar, and the widow’s two mites…
When I moved from Texas to Arizona in 1997, I was appalled at the teens attending church in flip-flops and shorts. After I had lived there for a couple of seasons, my own neckties and sports jackets had disappeared.
And then there is my father. He is a rock-solid Saint of nearly 87 years. When I was a child, on Saturday afternoons, he and I together waxed and polished our dress shoes and arranged our suits for the following morning. I see him today in his jeans, pressed western shirts, and boots worshipping just as fervently as ever.
Of course, there should be a certain decorum observed for certain occasions, but, our spiritual state is much more important than how we clothe ourselves.
Thanks for the article Sam.
I’m 80 now, retired for 13 years (pastor emeritus for 12). I’m concerned about the lack of (essentially) common sense when some pastors do funerals/memorials. A young man shows up in cut-offs to officiate at a service for an elderly man. Men from the retirement community wore coats and ties. A doctor in his 40’s passed away suddenly and his memorial was attended by many medical professionals wearing suit/sport coat and tie. The pastor wore an untucked dress shirt and no tie. I sense a general lack of common sense and respect by pastors and your words are welcome and hopefully read and heeded.
The entire article mentions not one word about coming before the Lord as nicely dressed as you can. This society is greatly marred by the desire to please ourselves, and others, while never considering the seriousness of our profession, and the greatness of our God. It is alright really, because dinosaurs like me, and our experiences matter little in the “let’s make folks comfortable in church, maybe they will come back” attitude. Nothing is more disrespectful to me as to see a minister in jeans, tennis shoes, and his face hidden by a full, long beard. Oh, yes that’s pleasing to all, some say. I wonder how the Lord feels about the way we approach the throne of grace as converted souls. Sinners come as you are.
As a 30 year old pastor in 1992 in a very traditional Baptist church down south, I wore a suit and tie on Sunday mornings, Sunday evenings and Wednesday nights. When I returned to the Midwest 6 years later, I was bivocational and usually dressed “business casual”, even wearing jeans on Wednesday nights. That carried over for several years into our present church, which I planted in 2006. After Covid, I started wearing blue jeans and a collared shirt, my typical Sunday morning attire to this day. I’ve actually noticed that some attendees started “dressing down” after I did. I haven’t noticed any perceptible difference otherwise.
Sam,
A very timely blog. I’ve had mixed experiences regarding this issue, though most of them were positive. Coming from a tradition that has the clergy wearing a Geneva gown and stole, or a white alb and stole, Sunday worship dress has not been an issue. I do not think a pastor should appear slovenly before the congregation. Pulpit decorum and dress has its place. And I’m good with that. I’ve come to a point in my life that I’m comfortable in a sport coat and dress shirt with no tie. I’ve always tried to observe and honor local traditions and not go beyond the level of my congregation’s dress. However, that has not always been the case.
In one church I was told that if I didn’t wear the robe and stole the would not consider me properly dressed. That demand was not offered in a cooperative spirit, but one which indicated a desire to look better than the other churches around. Appearance was everything for this congregation. I was good with that, but resented being told I had to wear it. Since leaving that church, I’ve only worn my pulpit robe for very formal services and to attend a few ordinations. So far, that’s going well.
This topic is a good one to think about. Thanks for the contribution. Larry
I attend a non-denominational Charismatic church in the northern sector of the Bible Belt. I’m in my 70s. Occasionally, I wear jeans to our Sunday service, but usually I’m a bit more dressed up than most. I don’t so much dress to display the fashion, although I do like to look nice. My motivating factor is the temperature in the building. I almost always wear a jacket or a sweater because it’s always too cold for me in the building, and at my age that means a few trips to the men’s room during service. Generally, I’m not in favor of the ‘dress for success’ approach in the pulpit. I believe God is more interested in our hearts toward Him as we come together to worship than he is if my accessories, socks and shoe laces are all coordinated.
Great content as always.