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Lodge Attire

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Bro. Stewart said:
Personally you have to see it from this point of view:

Many Grand Jurisdictions & their Lodges require its members (officers & members) to wear not just coat & tie, but tuxedo. I find that Texas is VERY relaxed in this aspect.

That being said, both of my lodges #1356 & #511 requires its Officers to wear Coat & Tie, and regular members to wear attire appropriate to Sunday Church Service. Of course the officers usually go the extra step and actually wear suits. We do have a summer dress (during the hot weeks) that allows the officers to leave the coats at home, unless it is a special occasion or official visit.

I personally agree with the coat and tie requirement, but I can see where some of our more "relaxed" Brethren might have an issue... All I can say is, lead by example.
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I have to add that I am in the process of buying my very first tuxedo, not for a wedding or a dance... for another Masonic Body.

Boys, I have grown used to being comfortable in Jeans, Dockers, Suits, & Tuxedos. I have been to Lodge in all but the tuxedo (to date), I have even attended meetings in my work boots, jeans, and uniform shirts (as a non-officer) after a work shift. I would never turn a Brother away no matter his attire, we are ALL certainly taught to look beyond the external qualifications. Wear what the present company demands, and enjoy the fellowship of the fraternity as a member or visitor. Officers on the other hand should be held to a higher standard, respective to their office or position. If per chance the officer can not afford the attire, I am 100% certain that the other Divan or officers corps will do everything in their power to assist the Brother...

Just my additional 2 Cents!
 
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jwhoff

jwhoff

Premium Member
Well, when I go to an informal lodge I either dress the part or take my coat off if I am caught unawares. When I go to a formal lodge, say Holand I, I dress accordingly. When I go to Grand Lodge I dress the part. Of the two lodges I have membership in, one is rather informal and one slightly formal. The last thing I want to be between myself and my fellow brethren is his or my attire.

Therefore, I see the merit to both sides of this conversation. But it's still what's inside and not on the man that matters most. I think we probably all agree with that statement. At least, I would hope no one would strongly disagree.
 
Beathard

Beathard

Premium Member
I'm not going to drive 20 miles home, take a shower, change into a suit and tie, and drive 20 miles back to lodge unless someone can tell me how it makes my work better. Why does anyone think a $300 suit looks better than new, starched jeans, $1000 boots, silver ranger belt, and starched shirt? Why should I dress down in a cheap suit that makes me look like a sofa cover?
 
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cacarter

cacarter

Premium Member
It is of no difference to me what a Brother chooses to wear to a lodge meeting. Saying that, I try to "class" it up as much as possible as a college student: clean jeans and collared shirt. Then again if I don't have time to change, no one in lodge will judge me. Like OlKev said out in West Texas it's pretty relaxed in all four of the lodges in Lubbock, but have varying unspoken standards. Yellowhouse is oldest and more of the members are in business or banking so they dress up. Mackenzie and Lubbock are a great mix of all and you'll see a Brother in shorts sitting next to a Brother in a suit and tie. Daylight is the most relaxed and understandable, most are going out later that Saturday to work the fields, their ranch, or shift work.
 
Ashlar

Ashlar

Registered User
Christopher said:
I'm a bit perplexed by this. You seem, by your list of activities, to be very committed to your lodge and to invest a lot in Masonry. How is it that you're willing to sacrifice so much time and effort to learning and teaching the work, showing up for meetings and degrees, etc. etc., but you're not willing to make the comparatively simple sacrifice of wearing an uncomfortable set of clothes for a couple hours? After all your work and dedication you would really not go back to lodge if you had to wear a coat and tie to do it? I really can't comprehend that.
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No need of being perplexed , I am who I am and firmly believe that clothes do not make the Man or Mason . I make plenty of sacrifices for my lodge and I think these sacrifices are more than enough , I do not think I need to prove my love for the Craft yet again by putting on a hot , uncomfortable suit and tie and set in lodge the entire time tugging and pulling at my tie and sweating through my shirt and coat .

I will put on a suit and tie for funerals . I will put on a suit without tie , for special occasions (I really , really hate ties ) , but for stated meetings , no .
 
brandon.prewitt

brandon.prewitt

Premium Member
"Why does anyone think a $300 suit looks better than new, starched jeans, $1000 boots, silver ranger belt, and starched shirt? Why should I dress down in a cheap suit that makes me look like a sofa cover?"

Everyone has an opinion and is entitled to it and mine doesn't count anyway. What you describe is not what I pictured. I pictured coming in a dirty uniform from work, which in some circumstances is understandable, I guess. Everyone's picture of dressing up is different. I don't wear jeans to weddings or funerals and wouldn't to the Lodge either, but that is just me, although I would adjust to dressing to what ever everyone else is wearing.
 
Bro. Stewart P.M.

Bro. Stewart P.M.

Lead Moderator Emeritus
Staff Member
Here's the Bottom Line:

No matter where you are at, dress as the occasion requires. If boots and jeans are acceptable, So Mote It Be. There is no reason for anyone to take this discussion too personally. We are after all Brothers, we all entered into this fraternity in the exact same manner. We must remember that.
 
Beathard

Beathard

Premium Member
Agreed. Btw, I don't go to those fancy lodges, weddings or funerals. That way the occasion does not require fancy duds. Please make sure whomever buries me makes sure I have pressed jeans, boots and an aggie maroon shirt. Give my Stetson to my son.
 
Ashlar

Ashlar

Registered User
Bro. Stewart said:
Here's the Bottom Line:

No matter where you are at, dress as the occasion requires. If boots and jeans are acceptable, So Mote It Be. There is no reason for anyone to take this discussion too personally. We are after all Brothers, we all entered into this fraternity in the exact same manner. We must remember that.
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This is true . I have nothing against lodges who do have dress codes and readily except those who like to get all gussied up for lodge without question , just as those who like to dress up for lodge need to except us who do not . We all practice the same Freemasonry , we all went through the same degrees , we are all brothers the only difference is that it is in different wrappers . It takes all kinds to make this big blue marble turn .
 
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JTM

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
I don't mind lodges that wear a suit and tie, I just don't normally go to them. I work from 8-5 just like a lot of them, but I don't like wearing out a suit within the year because I wore it twice a week.

I'll go to lodges that don't mind what I wear to work (polo and jeans or polo and slacks).
 
RTidwell

RTidwell

Registered User
My home lodge is a "working mans" lodge we have members that are retired military to doctors to surveyors such as myself. I have seen brothers wear anything from suits to shorts and it doesnt bother me one bit.

Honestly to me this whole image thing is nonsense. A brother is a brother no matter what he has on. We all took the same oath and we should remember it!

I am a member if the FMRC and we are always hearing about image or getting scalding looks for what we have on. If a brother takes offense of me displaying the emblem on my vest I have no issue with him but I will gladly remind him of the same oath we took and how we were dressed.
 
tom268

tom268

Registered User
It is a matter of what one is used to. Everything different seems odd, no matter what it is. Here, nobody would drop a thought on coming in Jeans or Polo Shirt. It is just not normal. Black suit and white tie is normal, and nobody would try to make it different. Everything else would be considered a "silent protest" or just bad manners.
 
jwhoff

jwhoff

Premium Member
My wife thinks I dress like a bohemian ... and she's never seen me in lodge! Go figure. I've got to agree a bit with Brother tom268.

I guess it boils down to Darrell Royal's old comment, "dance with them that brung you." Still want to go back to another old saying, "it is the enter, and not the outer qualifications that recommends a man to be made a mason."

What say ye brethren?
 
JohnnyFlotsam

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
Ashlar said:
I will put on a suit and tie for funerals . I will put on a suit without tie , for special occasions (I really , really hate ties ) , but for stated meetings , no .
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This kind of attitude saddens me. If a Lodge meeting not a "special occasion" for it's members, we have pretty much lost sight of what we're supposed to be there for.
 
JTM

JTM

"Just in case"
Premium Member
JohnnyFlotsam said:
This kind of attitude saddens me. If a Lodge meeting not a "special occasion" for it's members, we have pretty much lost sight of what we're supposed to be there for.
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a meeting every single week (and sometimes twice) is too many special occasions for me to go to. if it were quarterly, sure.
 
tom268

tom268

Registered User
JohnnyFlotsam said:
This kind of attitude saddens me. If a Lodge meeting not a "special occasion" for it's members, we have pretty much lost sight of what we're supposed to be there for.
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You take the words right out of my mouth. If a lodge meeting is not something special, it is no wonder, that brothers stop to come. A former WM of my lodge used to say: "Today is nothing special, just a degree meeting", when we had no initiation, passing or raising. And with this attitude he nearly brought the lodge down.

If a lodge meeting is something, that is so special, that you even dress up for it, then brothers take the time to participiate. Because they don't want to miss it. Because, if they miss it, they have to listen to the brothers, talking about it, and they will try to not miss the next one.

I don't know, if this works with all your stated meetings, but it surely works with degree meetings, with or without a candidate.
 
RTidwell

RTidwell

Registered User
JohnnyFlotsam said:
This kind of attitude saddens me. If a Lodge meeting not a "special occasion" for it's members, we have pretty much lost sight of what we're supposed to be there for.
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If a lodge closes it's doors on a brother based on how he is dressed then that lodge has lost sight of the teachings of what makes a mason a mason.
 
Beathard

Beathard

Premium Member
JohnnyFlotsam said:
This kind of attitude saddens me. If a Lodge meeting not a "special occasion" for it's members, we have pretty much lost sight of what we're supposed to be there for.
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It is special... That is why I put on my good boots, bolo tie and my pressed jeans!
 
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