(Over)dressing the part?

[CLewey44]

Here in PA you would be slightly overdressed, as we do everything differently than anyone else and we wear a BLACK tie with Tails - Sartorially scandalous, but it is how we do things nevertheless. Elected officers are expected to dress in tails, black vest, black tie, appointed officers should, but rarely do and most PMs do, but mostly because once you have this kit, where else can you wear it? Typical sideline dress is dark suit and necktie.

Also, it is discouraged to wear any emblem, pin, etc that is not Blue Lodge related and in that case only one should be worn at a time. This is not enforced at all from what I have seen. One man in our lodge has so many pins on his lapels he looks like the old photos of Idi Amin!

Lololol, good one.

 

[Warrior1256]

One man in our lodge has so many pins on his lapels he looks like the old photos of Idi Amin!

LOL!!!!!!

 

[David612]

Here in PA you would be slightly overdressed, as we do everything differently than anyone else and we wear a BLACK tie with Tails - Sartorially scandalous, but it is how we do things nevertheless. Elected officers are expected to dress in tails, black vest, black tie, appointed officers should, but rarely do and most PMs do, but mostly because once you have this kit, where else can you wear it? Typical sideline dress is dark suit and necktie.

Also, it is discouraged to wear any emblem, pin, etc that is not Blue Lodge related and in that case only one should be worn at a time. This is not enforced at all from what I have seen. One man in our lodge has so many pins on his lapels he looks like the old photos of Idi Amin!

It’s wild huh!
I have about a dozen pairs of pants, dosent mean I wear them all at once..

 

[Keith C]

I would actully argue that black tie is correct atleast for officers as they are working.

I agree "Black Tie" is appropriate, but in the US at least, Tails go with white vest and tie and are "White Tie" dress. "Black Tie" dress would be a tuxedo jacket, black vest and tie.

 

[MarkR]

Really? Your WMs can't remove someone from lodge or deny them entry?

Read the post I was replying to again. He said a "PM" told someone to leave. A Past Master. Not a WM. I inquired whether a PM had that authority, because he certainly doesn't in my jurisdiction.

 

[David612]

I don’t think anyone has the power to remove someone from the lodge, we are assemblies of grown men and the by-laws and guidelines are well established and in writing for the consideration of all.
The PM or WM may have enforced the by-law but the brother removed himself by his conduct.

 

[Bloke]

I don’t think anyone has the power to remove someone from the lodge, we are assemblies of grown men and the by-laws and guidelines are well established and in writing for the consideration of all.
The PM or WM may have enforced the by-law but the brother removed himself by his conduct.

A WM almost always has the power to remove a Freemason from the lodge over which he presides.

As to this whole dress when visiting - I say wear what you wear at home (and so does my GL). I love having visitors turn up in different attire and regalia - let's our members know there is more out there than just what we do and that customs (and ritual) vary.

 

[Warrior1256]

The PM or WM may have enforced the by-law but the brother removed himself by his conduct.

This was exactly the case in question.

As to this whole dress when visiting - I say wear what you wear at home (and so does my GL). I love having visitors turn up in different attire and regalia - let's our members know there is more out there than just what we do and that customs (and ritual) vary.

Agreed.

 

[hanzosbm]

Read the post I was replying to again. He said a "PM" told someone to leave. A Past Master. Not a WM. I inquired whether a PM had that authority, because he certainly doesn't in my jurisdiction.

Ah, I misread that. My apologies.

 

[Brother_Steve]

Our by-laws require dark suit. Potential members for our Lodge are told they need to wear a dark suit to their initiation if their ballot is successful. If that is a problem for a potential member, then they have the option to rescind their application.

Your investigation committee should be telling those that they investigate that this is the practice for the lodge. If not, then you should be asking.

Work, church, parties, functions, etc all have dress codes and we are smart enough to ask when we don't know. Why is this one particular activity different from all the rest? We abide by the obligations we take, the lessons contained therein.

Yes, I'm opinionated on the subject. The argument against the dress code is moot if the Lodge's bye-laws delineate a specific dress. What leg do you have to stand on? You knelt at the altar during the MM obligation. One of those furthermores had something to do with Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodge rules and regulations, no? Jurisdictional?

 

[dfreybur]

When we lived in Seattle metro my district got regular visitors from British Columbia. They wore tuxedo, collars, cuffs and all sorts of regalia. Everyone loved it whether we were in a dress up lodge or a dress down lodge. Being over dressed is not a problem.

 

[Warrior1256]

The argument against the dress code is moot if the Lodge's bye-laws delineate a specific dress.

Exactly.

Being over dressed is not a problem.

Absolutely! As I have said before....I would rather be the only one in a coat and tie than the other way around. When in doubt dress UP.

 

[David612]

A WM almost always has the power to remove a Freemason from the lodge over which he presides.

Well yes he does, but he won’t for no reason and the person giving him the reason is the mason. If that makes sense.

 

[Keith C]

Our by-laws require dark suit. Potential members for our Lodge are told they need to wear a dark suit to their initiation if their ballot is successful. If that is a problem for a potential member, then they have the option to rescind their application.

Your investigation committee should be telling those that they investigate that this is the practice for the lodge. If not, then you should be asking.

Work, church, parties, functions, etc all have dress codes and we are smart enough to ask when we don't know. Why is this one particular activity different from all the rest? We abide by the obligations we take, the lessons contained therein.

Yes, I'm opinionated on the subject. The argument against the dress code is moot if the Lodge's bye-laws delineate a specific dress. What leg do you have to stand on? You knelt at the altar during the MM obligation. One of those furthermores had something to do with Grand Lodge and Subordinate Lodge rules and regulations, no? Jurisdictional?

Same thing here - The dress code is Grand Lodge wide. When I inquired about membership to my lodge I was sent an invitation to attend a dinner before a Stated Meeting, in the invitation the dress code, "Jacket and tie required" was clearly stated, the same thing when my EA degree was scheduled.

The desired level of dress, however, was not relayed when I was asked to take over the JD chair part way through the year. Only the elected officers wore Tails, and no one said I should wear anything other than a suit and tie, until I started asking. This year I know our new SD will be wearing tails and likely our new JD as well. The line of officers I now have the privilege to serve with are attempting to increase communication and let Brothers know the expectations.

 

[Glen Cook]

Well yes he does, but he won’t for no reason and the person giving him the reason is the mason. If that makes sense.

Perhaps in your jurisdiction. In Utah visitation is a privilege, not a right. A reason does not have to be stated. Further, the information need not have come from a Mason.

 

[Brother JC]

I find the “external qualifications” argument out of place, that line is specifically for candidates. Your lodge’s dress code has nothing to do with the qualifications that allowed you to become a Mason, it has to do with the governance of the lodge. My lodge “requires” white tie for Agape but no Brother has ever been turned away for wearing something else.

 

[frehm]

In Sweden there is no question - either you were dark suit or tailcoat. That's it.

 

[SørenSweR(I)]

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[Warrior1256]

In Denmark you either wear tailcoat or stay home.

If I were to come to your lodge as a visitor from the United States would I be denied entrance if I were wearing a business suit?

 

[SørenSweR(I)]

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