What not to wear to church in 2025? Is it appropriate to wear false lashes and makeup for the church? Can you wear sandals and skirts for Sunday mass? Do you need to cover your hair and put on a hat when going to the Christian church? Do you know the right answer to all these Church Dress Code related questions? I do! And by the end of this post, you will know them too! Here are all the dressing rules you need to follow when going to Sunday mass, church wedding, or simply nosing around the church as a tourist. And yes, I made the list of all the things you should not wear to the church to follow the Church Etiquette.

HOW NOT TO DRESS FOR CHURCH

Indeed, you might see me in church for Sunday mass or you might not (none of your concern), but I do know all the Church etiquette rules. After all, I like to nose around European churches wherever I go. And I always make sure to blend in and be a humble tourist who isn’t disrespectful to anyone. Admittedly, I wouldn’t want to be thrown out of the church because I wore the wrong outfit. Would you?

If your answer is no, too, then you know what you need to do. Check the Ultimate Church Dress Code Guide that you can get on Brunette from Wall Street substack. Also, scroll down to the list of all the things you shouldn’t wear to the church. Like ever!

Ps. Be sure to read the entire copy if you want to know why something is not church appropriate. Trust me; you will be surprised when you come to No. 4.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR TO THE CHURCH

Now let’s have a look at the rules. By the way, this is the Roman Catholic dress code I’m writing about and there are no rules regarding the colours you shouldn’t wear to the church.

So what is the underlying Catholic’s Dress Code for women?

LIST OF ALL THE THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T WEAR TO CHURCH

Here is the list of all the things you shouldn’t wear to the church even if you are there just nosing around as a tourist.

1 SLEEVELESS TOP

Firstly, don’t wear a sleeveless top or a sleeveless dress. Not that this would be any problem if you went to the Sunday mass only for the holidays as most of them are on the coldest days anyways. But in case you go to the mass on Sunday morning in summer, remember to cover your shoulders.

Meaning, you shouldn’t wear slip and tank tops. And God forbade off the shoulder tops. Well, unless you cover them with a large scarf. Still, better to opt for short sleeves.

See what to wear for the church in summer instead.

2 MINI SKIRTS OR MINI DRESSES

It’s not just the shoulders that you shouldn’t expose. The same rule goes for the knees too. Anything, either a skirt, dress, or shorts, above the knees is not appropriate to wear for the church. Especially not for the Sunday mass.

3 DEEP CLEAVAGE

I guess this is quite obvious, don’t you think?

4 TROUSERS

Since wearing trousers used to be a sin for women, a trouser policy is not of a surprise at all. No, you shouldn’t wear trousers to Sunday mass.

The church doesn’t think women should wear pants. Yes, wearing trousers used to be sin for women. Merely because with a cloth in between their legs, they weren’t able to fulfill their marital responsibilities at all times.

Whatsoever this church dressing rule is outdated, and no one will judge you for wearing pants to the church today. As long as you don’t wear jeans, leggings or shorts, of course.

5 LOGOS

Logomania might back in fashion. But not for the church.

6 PLATFORM SHOES

Platforms you just bought might be your best shoes, yet they don’t fit into Sunday’s Best dress code. Platforms and extremely high heels are not modest nor elegant enough to pass this dress code. Just ask the Queen.

7 FLIP-FLOPS

You didn’t think you could wear flip-flops to the church, did you? While you can wear sandals to church, you shouldn’t wear flip-flops. After all, the Church dress code is not that different from the business formal dress code.

However, as said, you can wear sandals. But only like the ones I showed you when I showed you fashionable summer church outfits.

8 PRINTED LOGO TIGHTS

If you wanted to ask: “Can I wear logo tights to the church?” let me tell you one thing: Absolutely not. Remember, if it’s not good for the business world, it’s not suitable for the church either. Even though so covering, logo stockings are far from formal dressing.

9 FALSE LASHES AND COFFIN NAILS

No, you can’t really wear full makeup to the church. At least not if your full makeup includes extra-long false lashes, exaggerated smokey eye, glossy pumped lips, and coffin nails.

10 ARTIFICIAL FRAGRANCE

Another thing you shouldn’t wear to the church is the artificial fragrance with very strong scents. Sure you are right, this rule is not on the list of the things you shouldn’t wear to church written by the Church. I made this on the list by myself. But sure it should be. Imagine the room full of people wearing all sorts of fragrances; cheap perfumes and aftershaves, hairsprays, and deodorants. Who can breathe in space like this?

I know I can’t. And there is also that church smell. You know of the smoke, plants, and humidity.

11 BASEBALL CAP, FEDORA HAT, AND COWBOY HAT

The last thing on the list of things you shouldn’t wear for the Sunday mass are a baseball cap, fedora hat, and cowboy hat. These are not the hats you should wear for the church.

12 JEANS

MORE TIPS ON GETTING DRESSED FOR THE CHURCH

Eager to find out more about how to dress up for church? Yes, there is more. Check the Ultimate Church Dress Code Guide that you can get on Brunette from Wall Street substack and the tips on how to dress up for the church if you only go there for the holidays. And take a look at the most fashionable church appropriate outfits that you can wear for Sunday Mass any time of the year. By the way, what thing from the list of the things that aren’t appropriate to wear for Sunday mass surprised you the most? I found the church trouser issue quite surprising. Also the sandals.