The Attire of Women at the Traditional Latin Mass

Update - 5-7-2014:
Another version of a Latin Mass dress code from a traditional Catholic chapel states, "Out of respect for Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, always remember to wear your 'Sunday Best' when assisting at a Sunday Mass."  The same chapel has a dress code much like the one quoted below.  I really like the statement about "Sunday Best" because it emphasizes that not just modesty but reverence is also related to how to dress for Mass.

Update - 7-14-2013:
Since so many people visit this post, and since the post is in part a quote from a mid-20th century etiquette book and in part a link to a blog site that talks a lot about modest clothing but doesn't actually provide any rules, I thought I'd write a short update.

The reality is that most diocesan Traditional Latin Masses don't actually have a written dress code so first timers may not know what to expect.  Some traditionalist chapels where only the Tridentine Mass is celebrated do have written dress codes that are on the chapel's website (if any) and posted at the entrance.  But the actual dress of the regulars at a diocesan traditional Mass is basically identical to that of those adhering to the dress codes at the chapels.

Here is a sample taken from the website of one such chapel:

"Ladies and Girls:
Modest dress or skirt
Head covering
No tight-fitting, low-cut, short, slit, sleeveless or revealing clothes
No pants or trousers"

Some people think this means dressing like someone out of Little House on the Prairie and some people joke about them being "Amish Catholics".  I think that look is just fine for someone who likes it but it isn't necessary.  In fact, not only is it possible to dress elegantly within the confines of the above-quoted dress code, but it is actually easier to do so.

There are many options for modest dress that are not the least bit frumpy. For instance, the classic "little black dress" can be quite elegant.  If it is of opaque fabric appropriate for day wear, well past the knee in length (mid-calf is better), not too tight fitting or cut too deeply at the neckline, and has at least elbow length sleeves (3/4 or longer is better), it is modest dress. Add a hat, mantilla, or chapel cap and you're fine.

As for what to do in hot weather, see my post Dressing for Mass in Hot Weather.

Original post:
In her pre-Vatican II book on Catholic etiquette, Kay Toy Fenner had this to say about the appropriate attire for women at Mass:

“Women must always dress modestly for any church service. There is no permissible exception to this rule. The preferred costume is a suit, coat, or dress with long sleeves and a modest neckline, hat, gloves, stockings, and street shoes. Regardless of how warm the weather may be, a low-cut dress or one without sleeves should not be worn. Any dress must have, at the very least, a cap sleeve or a collar that covers the shoulders.

“Shorts may never be worn; neither should slacks, except under the exception noted below.

“A head covering, preferably a hat, is obligatory, but a scarf or veil is permissible.

“Exceptions for women: a woman planning to attend services while on the way to or from work or school may wear the costume proper for the activity in which she is about to engage. This means that a woman whose work requires her to wear slacks may wear them to Mass; a nurse may wear her uniform; a schoolgirl may wear headscarf, socks, and school uniform. But this permission does not extend to sports clothes such as a gymnasium suit, tennis dress, bathing suit; and it is allowable only when the choice is between attending services in working clothes or failing to attend.”

Today, women who go to the traditional Latin Mass are reclaiming long skirts, long sleeves, modest necklines, and hats. Since such attire is difficult to purchase ready-made, they are also reclaiming their sewing needles. Read one woman’s view of this phenomenon here.

Source:
Fenner, Kay Toy; American Catholic Etiquette (Newman Press, Maryland, 1961), p. 229. Italicized emphasis in the original.

Image:
Fantin-Latour’s “Charlotte Dubourg”, from Wikimedia Commons. In the public domain.