Fabulous article. Check out the Italian concept of “sprezzatura.” It’s a masterliness that doesn’t draw attention to itself, and it’s part of the order of charity and grace.
I agree with many of the things you usually post, but not this one entirely. Focusing on clothing distracts from the more important things. Clothing should above all else be functional, not communicative. Few sturdy pieces, we agree there. But true content of a man cannot and should not be infered from the way he dresses. You can signal virtue by dressing well, despite not being virtuous. In that regard, dressing well can be the same as lying.
Clothing is always communicative weather you like it or not. Thats why Marine Corps dress blues gets you laid even if youre a nerd. Thats why a sharp uniform for cops results in fewer criminals fighting. Thats why a well dressed women is less likely to be harassed than one wearing pajamas. The list goes on.
If the only attribute that you care about is "comfort" (which could be logically inferred by what you said), then you will wear comfortable clothes regardless of how they look, and end up dressing inappropriately just to be "comfortable".
That inference doesn’t actually follow. Comfort being important doesn’t mean it’s the only thing I consider or that I ignore context. It just means I don’t prioritise other people’s approval over my own comfort.
Nice article here Juan! I haven't thought much about the connecton between dressing well and religion, but it does make sense what you say. I'm travelling right now and have been for most of this year, but don't pay too much attentiont to what I wear because my bag is small and I don't have much space.
Most of the time, I wear workout clothes that are relatively new and have nice t-shirts and shirt for when I do go to Church.
Although my girlfriend does say to me that I look like somebody who looks after himself, even if the clothes I wear right now are simple and may even give a false impression to some people about how I am - because I do look after myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:28-29 ESV).
Except it doesn’t. Christ tells us not to focus on clothing, you are saying something else, that you owe it to god to look a certain way. But he never says that. What you are saying is useful and practical. But it is not what the founder says.
Nonsense, the Jewish temple was one of the great wonders of the world and Solomon was the richest man ever to live and had a thousand of the most beautiful women to wife.
If you like, but that’s your decision. After all, John the Baptist was not exactly renowned for his sartorial elegance. This whole idea is for humanity, not God. It is to show a setting apart, and conversely, identification with a specific group, a specialness. In certain cases it is to create a ritual frame of mind, a sense of outer cleansing to reflect inner sanctity.But let’s be honest, mostly it is for one’s own comfort and satisfaction and to impress others. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with this btw, but let’s not pretend it is something enjoined upon us by the founder. It is a lovely thing but not a necessary thing.
You are welcome to live in the desert, wear sackcloth, and eat locusts if you like, it's just not for the average person to do. Personally, I enjoy wearing my Sunday's best and most people I encounter enjoy it as well.
Agreed 👍🏾
🫡
Fabulous article. Check out the Italian concept of “sprezzatura.” It’s a masterliness that doesn’t draw attention to itself, and it’s part of the order of charity and grace.
No ugly sweaters for Christmas.
Glad you liked it brother! I hadn't heard of that concept, but will look into it. God bless and thank you for reading David!
I am not a man but I must say this was such a good read and I am looking forward to sharing this with my bf and guy friends!!
I agree with many of the things you usually post, but not this one entirely. Focusing on clothing distracts from the more important things. Clothing should above all else be functional, not communicative. Few sturdy pieces, we agree there. But true content of a man cannot and should not be infered from the way he dresses. You can signal virtue by dressing well, despite not being virtuous. In that regard, dressing well can be the same as lying.
Clothing is always communicative weather you like it or not. Thats why Marine Corps dress blues gets you laid even if youre a nerd. Thats why a sharp uniform for cops results in fewer criminals fighting. Thats why a well dressed women is less likely to be harassed than one wearing pajamas. The list goes on.
I dress in what's comfortable and don't care what other people think
That's how you end up wearing pajamas and sweatpants to public places.
Up to you if you want to give up and use "not caring what other people think" as an excuse to look like a slob brother.
That's assuming comfortable clothes make one look like a "slob" as you so eloquently put it.
If the only attribute that you care about is "comfort" (which could be logically inferred by what you said), then you will wear comfortable clothes regardless of how they look, and end up dressing inappropriately just to be "comfortable".
That inference doesn’t actually follow. Comfort being important doesn’t mean it’s the only thing I consider or that I ignore context. It just means I don’t prioritise other people’s approval over my own comfort.
Then I don’t understand what point you were making by commenting what you did in the first place
I wasn’t making a deeper argument - just explaining my perspective.
Well you literally said you dont care. Not caring leads to sloppingness always.
Read the comments again and you'll find I literally "don't" say that. And no, it doesn't.
I was raised by marxist parents and ran away. It was in the Marines that i finally understood the importance of dressing well.
Nice article here Juan! I haven't thought much about the connecton between dressing well and religion, but it does make sense what you say. I'm travelling right now and have been for most of this year, but don't pay too much attentiont to what I wear because my bag is small and I don't have much space.
Most of the time, I wear workout clothes that are relatively new and have nice t-shirts and shirt for when I do go to Church.
Although my girlfriend does say to me that I look like somebody who looks after himself, even if the clothes I wear right now are simple and may even give a false impression to some people about how I am - because I do look after myself physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Thanks for posting, really nice read.
Also, wanted to ask if you've ever read "The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything"? I'll link it here because I think you'd like it! https://www.amazon.com/Jesuit-Guide-Almost-Everything-Spirituality/dp/0061432695
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/vanity-fair-goes-to-the-white-house-trump-2-edition
Great article. Boo the Pope.
I would say business casual or what you would wear to an office job. I have to do a better job on this as a Protestant. Thank you for sharing.
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:28-29 ESV).
https://www.lettersfromtheoldworld.com/p/christs-warning-about-clothing
This article provides an in-depth response to that!
Except it doesn’t. Christ tells us not to focus on clothing, you are saying something else, that you owe it to god to look a certain way. But he never says that. What you are saying is useful and practical. But it is not what the founder says.
Did you truly read the article in its entirety? I also didn't say you "owe it to God".
I did read it, but will do so again.
If the body is the temple of the holy spirit, let us adorn it appropriately.
The tabernacle and temple were plain on the outside, radiant on the inside.
Nonsense, the Jewish temple was one of the great wonders of the world and Solomon was the richest man ever to live and had a thousand of the most beautiful women to wife.
If you like, but that’s your decision. After all, John the Baptist was not exactly renowned for his sartorial elegance. This whole idea is for humanity, not God. It is to show a setting apart, and conversely, identification with a specific group, a specialness. In certain cases it is to create a ritual frame of mind, a sense of outer cleansing to reflect inner sanctity.But let’s be honest, mostly it is for one’s own comfort and satisfaction and to impress others. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with this btw, but let’s not pretend it is something enjoined upon us by the founder. It is a lovely thing but not a necessary thing.
Ascetism is a great thing, but not for the laypeople.
Why? Do you think ‘the lay people’ need shinies? The lay people were impressed by John the Baptist, no? I Samuel 16:7 etc, 1 Peter 3:3-4 …
You are welcome to live in the desert, wear sackcloth, and eat locusts if you like, it's just not for the average person to do. Personally, I enjoy wearing my Sunday's best and most people I encounter enjoy it as well.