Suit and tie for Mass?

[Parmandur]

I think that ties serve a purpose.  Their purpose is to add dignity to our dress, which better reflects and emphasizes our dignity as men.

By "purpose" the intended meaning is "function."  Ties unlike, say, belts do not have a utilitarian reason to exist.  They are a culturally-based vanity, a fad that is nothing more than "a minor embellishment which is peculiar to a cultural setting with a very interesting quirky history."

[GottmitunsAlex]

I wear a polo shirt and khakis if it's over 70, under 70, dress pants and oxford shirt.  The only time I wear a tie is christmas or pascha.  Never a jacket.

What about Yom Kippur?

[Parmandur]

I wear a polo shirt and khakis if it's over 70, under 70, dress pants and oxford shirt.  The only time I wear a tie is christmas or pascha.  Never a jacket.

What about Yom Kippur?

...

What?

[Joshua]

I think that ties serve a purpose.  Their purpose is to add dignity to our dress, which better reflects and emphasizes our dignity as men.

By "purpose" the intended meaning is "function."  Ties unlike, say, belts do not have a utilitarian reason to exist.

Bad philosophy.

The meaning of purpose is that which an object possesses to attain a certain end.  Not every end is a utilitarian end and pure utilitarianism is nothing a Catholic ought to be pursuing. What is the utilitarian purpose of vestments? What's the use of Baroque, Gothic or Romanesque architecture? In fact, of what utilitarian use is beauty itself? Each of these things have true purposes that are not utilitarian in nature, but of great importance nevertheless. Objects such as ties, or jewelry or any other form of ornamentation are but simple embellishments to one's wardrobe that express the solemnity and formality of the Holy Mysteries. Vanity is not in the object, but in the spiritual disposition. Far from a means of distraction or vanity, they are simply the humble attempts of the faithful to do dignity to the profundity of the Liturgy by making their attire reflect and give homage to the Divine Majesty of our Lord. The wearing of something as simple as a tie brings the wearer into a greater sense of decorum and discipline since it is a symbol of formality. Is it merely cultural? Yes ... and why exactly is that a bad thing? How exactly is this simple cultural practice in discord with Church teachings? How is it an occasion to sin in any way, shape or form? Quite frankly, I find the pretentious sermonizing of Catholics who purposefully dress like Quakers to be more ostentatious and hypocritical than your average-joe sporting a simple suit and neck-tie. I've seen the quest for more and more austerity in one's appearance become just as great a source of pride and vanity. The key here is balance. You wont see me strutting into Mass wearing an ermine-lined robe with full-train. Nor will you see me wearing a potato-sack with Kleenex boxes for shoes.

Here's a fun little activity. Kindly designate anything you see (other than basic supporting structures) that has a utilitarian purpose:

[Jacafamala]

I wear a polo shirt and khakis if it's over 70, under 70, dress pants and oxford shirt.  The only time I wear a tie is christmas or pascha.  Never a jacket.

What about Yom Kippur?

...

What?

 

[Melkite]

What about Yom Kippur?

...

What?

I'm surprised he didn't ask what I wear to gay pride events...

[Rosarium]

I think that ties beards serve a purpose.  Their purpose is to add dignity to our dress visage, which better reflects and emphasizes our dignity as men.

Fixed it for you.

But as I wrote, ties are a small matter. They are a little bit of rather tame cloth which does not have much of a utility (the utility they do have is socially unacceptable). They do not embellish much usually, nor are they generally a problem with modesty.

Wearing them either for certain occasions or for all which are possible is a personal choice which likely has very little bearing on anything.

But, to hold others to them or find others to be scandalous for failing to wear them is a potential pitfall.

It is interesting. My tie, which is rarely worn (and I have not seen it in over two years as it is on a hanger inside a coat I obtained for cheap...I think), is the only piece of clothing I have which is not black. It only comes out for very special occasions and only when the custom dictates it should be worn. I also have a black tie, which is equally infrequently worn and probably with the other.

Despite my infrequent use of a tie, I at least take care to tie it well and evenly.

[Scriptorium]

I think that ties serve a purpose.  Their purpose is to add dignity to our dress, which better reflects and emphasizes our dignity as men.

By "purpose" the intended meaning is "function."  Ties unlike, say, belts do not have a utilitarian reason to exist.

Bad philosophy.

The meaning of purpose is that which an object possesses to attain a certain end.  Not every end is a utilitarian end and pure utilitarianism is nothing a Catholic ought to be pursuing. What is the utilitarian purpose of vestments? What's the use of Baroque, Gothic or Romanesque architecture? In fact, of what utilitarian use is beauty itself? Each of these things have true purposes that are not utilitarian in nature, but of great importance nevertheless. Objects such as ties, or jewelry or any other form of ornamentation are but simple embellishments to one's wardrobe that express the solemnity and formality of the Holy Mysteries. Vanity is not in the object, but in the spiritual disposition. Far from a means of distraction or vanity, they are simply the humble attempts of the faithful to do dignity to the profundity of the Liturgy by making their attire reflect and give homage to the Divine Majesty of our Lord. The wearing of something as simple as a tie brings the wearer into a greater sense of decorum and discipline since it is a symbol of formality. Is it merely cultural? Yes ... and why exactly is that a bad thing? How exactly is this simple cultural practice in discord with Church teachings? How is it an occasion to sin in any way, shape or form? Quite frankly, I find the pretentious sermonizing of Catholics who purposefully dress like Quakers to be more ostentatious and hypocritical than your average-joe sporting a simple suit and neck-tie. I've seen the quest for more and more austerity in one's appearance become just as great a source of pride and vanity. The key here is balance. You wont see me strutting into Mass wearing an ermine-lined robe with full-train. Nor will you see me wearing a potato-sack with Kleenex boxes for shoes.

Here's a fun little activity. Kindly designate anything you see (other than basic supporting structures) that has a utilitarian purpose:

 

Chose your own style, but don't knock those who prefer ties or other embellishments. If a tie is vanity in itself, then so is poetry. One of the biggest arguments against Latin in the Mass and other embellishments, like maniples, is they "serve no purpose". Part of recovering the beautiful starts with our own fashion, our own reverence in our deportment. The flipside of "the habit doesn't make the monk", is that clothing beyond "communist grey boring" does not make the sinner. Now the TIA people make a good case to not going into extravagance, which could probably be debated, but we don't want to go to the extreme that no distinctiveness in dress is allowed. In fact, it doesn't have to be real showy, it can be just a color, or a small jewel on the tie, or nice cufflinks. There's a nice spectrum available to chose what you like. Just make sure that it isn't about showing off, but rather about "showing up", setting the cultural bar high, and adding a little beauty to the day. Add a little beauty to the day if you feel inclined.

[Old Salt]

I wear a polo shirt and khakis if it's over 70, under 70, dress pants and oxford shirt.  The only time I wear a tie is christmas or pascha.  Never a jacket.

Inapropriate for Mass.

[Old Salt]

Neckties or Bowties[or cravats] complete the look of a man wearing a collared shirt to Mass.

A collared shirt without a tie is like a chasable without an orphrey.