The safe choice anywhere
Smart casual works at almost every church in the United States: trousers or chinos with a collared shirt or a neat sweater, or a dress or skirt of knee length or longer, or smart trousers and a blouse. Avoid very short hemlines, low necklines, beachwear and clothing with slogans. If you are unsure, look at the photos on the church's website or social media: they show you exactly what people wear on Sunday.
By tradition
- Non-denominational and contemporary churches: jeans, T-shirts and sneakers are normal, and the pastor may preach in jeans. Dressing up a little is fine too.
- Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian: anything from smart casual to "Sunday best", depending on the congregation. Traditional and rural churches tend to be dressier; city and contemporary services more relaxed.
- Historically Black churches (National Baptist, AME, COGIC and others): many members dress up, in suits, dresses and often hats. Visitors in smart casual are still welcome.
- Catholic and Episcopal: modest smart casual. Bare shoulders and shorts are better avoided, especially at older or cathedral parishes. Some women wear a head covering (mantilla) at traditional Latin Masses; it is not expected of visitors.
- Orthodox: the most traditional. Men wear long trousers and remove hats; women usually wear a skirt or dress below the knee with covered shoulders, and in some parishes cover their hair with a scarf. Many parishes keep spare scarves at the entrance.
- Latter-day Saints: members dress formally (a white shirt and tie for men, a dress or skirt for women), but visitors are welcome in whatever they have.
- Synagogue: smart, modest clothing. Men, and in many congregations everyone, cover their heads with a kippah; one is offered at the door. In Orthodox synagogues women wear skirts and covered shoulders.
Weddings, funerals, Christmas and Easter
For a wedding, follow the invitation's dress code. For a funeral, dark, conservative clothing is still the norm. On Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday churches are at their fullest and most people dress up a notch, even at casual churches.
Children
Comfortable clothes they can sit, kneel and play in. If your child will go to a Sunday school class or nursery, expect crafts and play time and dress them for it.
What nobody minds
Churches would much rather see you in work clothes or jeans than not see you at all. If you come straight from a shift, or don't own formal clothes, come anyway: every pastor will tell you the same.