Can You Wear Leggings to Church?
No matter the setting you want to dress in a manner that is comfortable and stylish, which is why leggings are more popular today than ever before.
They’re a versatile garment for casual settings, but can you wear leggings to church? More specifically, when are leggings appropriate for church, if ever? Our opinion is that leggings do not have a place in any church setting, except for those casual weekday bible study sessions.
Anytime you’re entering a Sunday Service and especially a more significant church event such as a baptism, wedding, funeral, or holiday service, we encourage you to put a bit more effort into how you dress. We’ll explain why below.
You’ll also discover a few alternatives to leggings if you’re now wondering what you can wear instead. From church suits for women to church dresses for women, skirt suits for church, and even ladies pant suits for church, the possibilities are endless.
Here at Designer Church Suits you’ll gain access to the latest and greatest styles from your favorite designers, all of which align perfectly with any church setting. Shop today and you’ll never want to wear church outfits with leggings again!
Why Your Church Attire Matters
So, is it ok to wear leggings to church? Not so fast. To understand whether or not leggings are considered inappropriate church attire, let’s first take a step back and explain the significance of how you dress when you enter the house of the Lord.
Reflecting Reverence for the Worship Space
As you are well aware, the church is a place of worship, reflection, and community. The way you carry yourself in this sacred setting speaks volumes about your respect for the space and those around you. That starts with your attire.
The Importance of Modesty in Church Settings
The overarching theme of how to dress for church is actually fairly simple, despite how complex and convoluted many have made it seem. Modesty is the primary priority.
The truth is, this isn’t limited to how you dress. Modesty is emphasized throughout the bible as a core tenant to live your life by. There’s no better way to demonstrate modesty than in how you dress, though.
This keeps the focus on worship without causing distraction to others. It doesn’t mean you have to compromise on your personal style expression, rather, you should choose garments that align with the sacredness of this space.
Setting the Tone for a Fulfilling Worship Experience
What you wear to church has a direct impact on how you feel and interact during the service. Choosing outfits that balance comfort, modesty, and respect will make you more likely to feel engaged and focused.
This should be one of the most important parts of your entire week, and just as you’d dress well for work or a date night, you should give the Lord the same level of effort. So, can you wear leggings to church?
Can You Wear Leggings to Church?
We made our stance clear from the start, but we do recognize that our unique specific church experience may be very different from your own congregation. So, let’s provide a bit more context, first focusing on why you’d even want to wear leggings to church.
Why Leggings Are So Popular
We won’t pretend that leggings aren’t the easiest, most comfortable garment in our wardrobe. Whether worn casually, for fitness, or even dressed up with the right top for a more formal setting, they let you move freely and comfortably.
It’s no surprise they’ve become the go-to choice for many women thanks to this balance of practicality and comfort. They can also be very affordable. But let’s address the elephant in the room. Can you wear leggings to church?
Are Leggings Appropriate for Church, Though?
Technically there is no concrete dress code in church. One of the most common phrases you’ll hear in this setting is to “come as you are.” So, let’s phrase the question differently. Are leggings APPROPRIATE for church?
We believe they are not, and there’s a fairly simple reason why. The same feature that makes them so popular is also why they shouldn’t be worn in religious settings. Their form-fitting nature can be distracting and inappropriate.
They draw attention to the body’s shape, which might be why you love them so much. We totally understand the desire to show off your curves. But is church really the right place for it?
Even congregations that don’t consider themselves “traditional” or “formal” tend to agree that leggings aren’t quite in alignment with the standards of church attire.
They may be distracting to other members of the congregation, and ultimately, that’s reason enough to leave them in the drawer for Sunday services. So, is it OK to wear leggings to church in any scenario?
When is it OK to Wear Leggings to Church, if Ever?
Now, we aren’t here to tell you that you can never wear leggings in a church setting. There may be situations where they’re perfectly acceptable, such as a casual weeknight bible study - especially if you’re not meeting in the chapel itself but in a separate venue.
Even still, the way you wear them matters. Our advice if you must wear church outfits with leggings is to style them with a long tunic, dress, or oversized sweater that provides adequate coverage.
Another good rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you’re the only woman wearing leggings in your church congregation. If so, there’s probably a reason nobody else is wearing them, and you should give the same level of respect or look for a more casual church to join.
Alternatives to Wearing Leggings to Church
The truth is, there are far too many great alternatives to wearing leggings in church settings to even bother with them - from skirts and dresses to pant suits.
We encourage you to reframe your thinking and look at your church attire as an opportunity to dress to the nines and really put your best foot forward. Here are some other popular garments you can consider wearing instead of leggings.
Modest Dresses and Skirts
Nothing says church quite like a fun, flowy dress or skirt. Find styles that fall at or below the knee to maintain both modesty and elegance in the church setting.
Fabrics like cotton, chiffon, or light wool provide both comfort and style. A midi or maxi dress paired with a cardigan or shawl creates a polished look for formal and casual services alike.
Modest dresses and skirts allow you to move freely much like leggings would, but you will look far more respectful and refined. From black church dresses to white church dresses and patterned styles, there are so many different directions you can take your look!
Pant Suits and Tailored Trousers
Women who want more formality and structure in their looks can’t go wrong with elegant church suits. Wait, why do people wear suits to church? And should YOU wear a suit to church?
These empower you to put on a sleek, professional appearance that aligns perfectly with traditional church attire. We absolutely love tailored trousers as well, as these strike a balance between comfort and sophistication.
Whether in classic black, neutral tones, or soft pastels, they offer a polished look that can be paired with a modest blouse or blazer. Pant suits and trousers are versatile so you can dress for both formal and contemporary church services without compromising on respect for the setting.
The possibilities are endless in our church suits catalog, where you’ll discover a wide array of white church suits, black church suits, special occasion church dresses, and more!
Dress Pants for Casual Church Services
Want to wear something a bit more casual and mellow, but don’t want to disrespect the sanctity of the service? Consider dress pants, which are a great happy medium.
These are slightly more formal than jeans but still keep things casual enough for less traditional settings. They can be paired with tunic tops, blouses, or sweaters for a balanced and modest look.
Whether you're attending a mid-week service or a more laid-back congregation, you can effortlessly balance comfort, coverage, and style with dress pants.
More Church Style Tips
Maybe you still have questions about dressing appropriately for church. Can you wear black to church? Why do women wear hats in church? Our blog has plenty of great church style tips to help you look and feel your best without compromising on the primary purpose of the service.
Layering can be a great way to add both style and modesty, whether it's adding a blazer to a dress or pairing a longer sweater with tailored pants. As far as color choices, we suggest keeping it safe and respectful with neutral colors.
If you do want to add a bold touch to your outfit, let your accessories do the talking - you can learn how to wear a church hat and explore the various types of church hats here in our catalog. Or, use scarves or handbags for a bit more personal flair without distracting others.
If we had to leave you with one final piece of advice on dressing for church it would be this: prioritize modesty and comfort and you really can’t go wrong!
Upgrade Your Worship Wardrobe at Designer Church Suits!
You don’t have to choose between style, modesty, and comfort in how you dress. You can have it all when you shop at Designer church Suits.
For more than 30 years and counting men and women of the church have trusted us to provide comfortable, high-quality dresses, skirts, suits, and accessories from world-renowned fashion designers, including:
When you shop with us you can rest assured you’re getting comfortable, quality, and respectful garments that will last a lifetime. From light airy dresses for summer to comfy, cozy pantsuits for winter, there is something for everyone here in our catalog.
We are committed to exceeding your expectations and providing the most incredible shopping experience online. With inclusive sizing options that cater to all body types and plenty of women's church suits under $100, we’re making church fashion more accessible for everyone.
You’ll enjoy world-class customer service every step of the way, whether you have questions about sizing or returns or simply want one-on-one assistance picking the perfect outfits to elevate your worship wardrobe. Don’t hesitate to reach out.
From church hats for women to first lady church suits on sale and even men’s church suits, this is your one-stop shop for all your Sunday best. So, browse our catalog and bring out the best of any service by setting the tone with thoughtful, comfortable attire at Designer Church Suits.
Parting Thoughts on Church Outfits With Leggings
So can you wear leggings to church? Technically, there is no set-in-stone dress code for church settings. That’s why a better question is are leggings appropriate for church? The answer is a clear no.
Despite their comfort and versatility, they are form-fitting and this can be seen as distracting for other members of the congregation. There aren’t too many rules for how you dress for church, but maintaining modesty and respect for the setting are of the utmost importance. We believe leggings fall short in both regards.
Fortunately, there are plenty of alternatives you can rely on to look and feel your best for any church event, be it a casual Sunday Service or more significant occasions like Easter Sunday, baptisms, or weddings.
So, step into your next service with confidence - shop our curated collection of modest and stylish church attire that’s perfect for any occasion today!