Church Outfit Ideas. Once upon a day, wearing your “Sunday best” meant that people only wore their very best dresses and outfits to church on Sunday. This was common for people who may have only owned two or three dresses (in women’s cases, at least) and so, their most formal and special dress was worn only on Sundays when attending a service.

Today, of course, this isn’t really the case. For most of us in the Western world, our closets are stocked with a variety of formal and casual options… and none of us would really consider a floor-length frock outside of a gala or extremely formal event. With so much to choose from these days, knowing what to wear to church can sometimes be a puzzling conundrum. For one thing, there are a lot of factors to consider. Is this church renowned for its specific dress code? Is it considered a very casual church? Is it okay to wear jeans? Is there anything you shouldn’t wear to church? In this article, we will touch on some of these questions and more, as well as offer you 30 beautiful and appropriate outfit ideas that will hopefully bring you some clarity and get you pointed in the right direction.

How to Dress Elegantly for Church Services

Before we show you our top picks for what to wear to church, here are a few tips and things to keep in mind:

• A general rule of thumb that holds true in most if not all cases when attending church is to dress modestly and with discretion. The church is a place of worship, not a social hangout. Be respectful and keep this in mind when planning your attire.
• Most churches in the Western sphere are air-conditioned (not every country is so lucky) and are usually kept quite chilly in the summer. This varies, of course, but having a light cardigan or jacket on hand is always a good idea.
• Avoid overly skintight clothing if possible as it is not usually considered appropriate.
• You don’t have to wear a dress or skirt if you do not want to. However, they are one of the most typical and common attires for women when attending church.
• If this is your first time attending a particular church (or church in general) don’t be nervous or anxious about what to wear! Coming as you are is what matters. Assess your wardrobe choices and try and pick whatever looks nicest but don’t overthink it. When in doubt, a dress is always a suitable option but try and pick one that is not overly short or revealing. (Pro tip: if you are worried about a low-cut front or back, pop a light cardigan or shawl over it! It’s an easy fix and will also keep you comfortable if the church is chilly.)
• Dress comfortably and not too high-maintenance. An outfit that requires constant adjusting or fixing can be an annoying distraction.

Here are our top picks to inspire you on what to wear to church.