Dress Code for Worship Team Members: Guidelines for Appropriate Attire

The primary job of a worship team is to point people to Jesus. If our clothing and attire draw attention to ourselves, our looks, or our great style, then it may be time to implement a worship team dress code.

A dress code sets the standard for what is appropriate and acceptable attire and helps team members know what wouldn’t be helpful or edifying.

There is a way to be stylish without catching people’s attention, just like there is a way to play music excellently without showing off. It’s a fine line, so how can we improve our worship team’s attire and define a clear dress code?

Here are a few do’s and don’ts for a solid worship team dress code.

Dress Code Dos and Don’ts for Worship Team Members

Don’t Wear Polarizing Logos or Graphics

T-shirts or jackets with sports teams, political statements, pop culture icons, or super expensive luxury brands are noticeable. People may have various opinions about these topics. If it will distract or divide, don’t wear it.

Don’t Wear Tight or Revealing Clothing

Clothes that hug your body tightly and reveal your curves should be avoided. Bra straps shouldn’t show, nor should too much skin (belly, open neckline, cleavage, etc.). What is fashionable on the streets, in your school, or place of work might not be appropriate at church. People should focus on Christ, not your curves.

Two things to consider: While trying on your outfit, raise your hands above your head and see if your tummy or back show. Also, make sure the material you’re wearing won’t become translucent when the stage lights are shining through them.

Don’t Wear Short Skirts or Dresses

You’re elevated and up on a platform. People’s eyes are at your thighs! Those who sit in the front row are looking UP at you. I once had a creep come early to our Sunday morning rehearsals so he could stare at our girl singers. I had to confront him and ask him to leave. We just want to avoid that situation altogether. If you’re going to wear a skirt, make sure it goes down past your knees at least. Yes, guys shouldn’t lust, but we should also do our best to help our brothers not stumble. We don’t want to wear anything that would draw attention to ourselves, especially the wrong kind of attention.

Do Check Your Fly

Guys, nothing is more embarrassing than getting on stage in front of hundreds (or thousands) of people and having your fly down the whole time. To mitigate against this, get a full-length mirror backstage and take a good last look before you step on stage.

Do Avoid Overly Busy Patterns and Bright Colors

Busy patterns are distracting and also look bad on camera. Aim to wear solids and darker, more neutral colors.

Do Iron Your Clothes

You want to look clean, sharp, presentable, and professional. You don’t want to look like a slob or like you just rolled out of bed or rushed over from the gym. You want to bring God your best, even in how you dress. If you think I’m being overly strict, just realize, the Levites had to wear special, fancy clothes when they ministered to God in the temple and tabernacle. We should do the same.

Do Be Sensitive to Your Church’s Culture

If you’re at an older or more traditional church, take that into account. Avoid holey jeans and baseball hats or anything else that might be deemed offensive. A good rule of thumb is that Those on stage should dress slightly fancier than the average look of the congregation.

How to Talk to Your Team About Dress Code

Communicate the Dress Code Clearly

Communicate dress code during your onboarding process with new team members. If you don’t have an onboarding process, check out our onboarding template in the Academy. Also remind your team of the dress code at your annual meeting where you reiterate all your  team member expectations. It doesn’t hurt to also periodically bring it up at rehearsals once a trimester.

Addressing Dress Code Issues

If you have to address someone’s clothing on a Sunday morning, don’t make a huge deal about it. Just smile and say, “Hey, how far do you live from here? Do you think you could run home and grab a different top? That one is just a little too open.” If you’re a man and you don’t feel comfortable saying that, ask a female on your team or from your church to do it.

Another idea to deal with this is to have a few changes of clothes that you keep back stage. Perhaps a couple of jackets that’d be easy to throw on top of their outfit. Or a couple of polo shirts for the guys.

Ways to Communicate Dress Code

A “Look Book”

One of my favorite ways to communicate appropriate attire is a look book of positive examples. Compile a series of images of stylish but appropriate looks that people should aim for. This gives them a clear picture and a target to aim at. I’d say it’d be wise NOT to do a look book for inappropriate attire. Just show the positive examples and that should be enough.

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Conclusion

In the end, a thoughtful dress code for your worship team helps ensure that the focus remains on worshiping Jesus. By dressing appropriately, we honor God and create an environment where the congregation can engage in worship without distractions. Remember, it’s about bringing our best to God in every aspect, including how we present ourselves.

For more resources and examples, enter your email below to receive our favorite look books from other churches. Let’s keep striving to build a team that points people to Jesus, in all things… including our dress!

What would you add? Leave a comment and let me know.