Matter of attire

There are several expressions related to matters of attire or dress. There is “dressed for the occasion” which differs from the “dressed”. The former means the person is attired appropriately for the affair while the second the chicken is plucked of its feathers to prepare it properly for the pot, the pan or the grill.

There are people who are “dressed to kill” meaning they are overdressed for the occasion. Of course there is “dressing down” which is similar to “dressing the chicken” which refers to stripping of dignity to show the person's station in life as a subordinate.

It is said that a dress is a statement. One speaks loud with his or her attire as he displays his cultural taste or level of education. The attire identifies the person or his calling. A priest or religious is identified by their habits in the same way that a soldier carries his profession and so with a policeman. Prisoners have distinctive designs and colors to easily spot them in a crowd.

If a dress or attire is a statement, what can one say of a person with the Lacoste design on his shirt? The expensive shirt could be a sign of affluence although one joker said that the name Lacoste (crocodile) as the logo shows, announces where he got his money. If a well-known personality wears a fake Lacoste people believe it is genuine; when a trisikad driver sports the genuine one, people think it is a fake.

People usually judge others by the clothes they wear but more so how they carry themselves with their attire. This is akin to judging the book by its cover and what we see, we use to process in our thoughts.

This makes attire an important element in the way we judge others. Thus we find people dressing up with their best when they come before a person of higher rank. The higher the rank or status the more people consider seriously the clothes they wear. This is intended to impress, as a suitor to the object of his love and the woman who intends to show her best.

As there are proper attires or dress code on occasions, there are also proper attire when one goes to church. The church is a place of worship and thus should be the most sacred place than a king's palace or a president's reception hall.

This is the reason that parishes today urge their parishioners to wear appropriate attires worthy of the divine service. Unfortunately many take going to church for Mass as just going to a mall or a picnic. We see many men, young and not so young wearing shorts as if they are toddlers or going elsewhere than a place of worship.

Of course there are times that they cannot help it, so people reason. But if a person appreciates or is conscious of where he is going, will he not dress accordingly? If one is invited to dinner with the President, will he come in baggy denims and clogs?

I remember going to Mass at the Cathedral last May 31 where the sagalas and organizers of the Santaruzan attended prior to the procession. It was funny that the commentator was listing the clothing to avoid when going to Mass – shorts, sleeveless and, backless dresses. The sagalas wore gowns and sure enough, some had backless dresses. It was good that they started with the Mass but should they have at least given due respect to the Divine worship by dressing appropriately? They could have followed the rules with discreet covers and then expose whatever they like during the public display at the streets. Some gowns were indecorous.

Other parishes ask that women should refrain from wearing dresses with plunging necklines. There is no need to mention this at all if women have reverence for the place of worship. Most of the violators are women who attend Nuptial Masses or weddings. They come with their best clothes but must they show off in violation of church rules? Their designers can do a lot to follow the rules. At the wedding reception they can do whatever they please.

I always enjoy seeing the kids in San Nicolas de Tolentino Church in Talisay in party dresses when they come forward for their blessing after Mass. Surely their parents teach them how to be properly attired.

Proper dress at the proper occasion is the best statement of one's self and it is so easy to do.*

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