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Post by maat on Oct 26, 2005 23:19:11 GMT
How would you feel about laying aside the usual dress code of Freemasonry and wearing your regalia over street clothes? Would it make a difference to you and/or the way you feel Freemasonry should be portrayed? Had not thought of it till now - but without thinking the thought repels you? Why? Would the 'equality' that the apron bestows upon brothers become more apparent if worn over every day dress? The question was prompted from a favourite 'piece' which was bought to my attention by follow poster Ricardo. It appeared on a site called Zen Masonry - see link below. ROUGH, DULL AND DIRTYKing Solomon was presiding over a feast celebrating the laying of the cornerstone of his Temple. He arose and called to the Entered Apprentices asking, “What is great, judicious and distinct in architecture?” The Overseer of the Work answered: “A solid cornerstone. Smooth ashlars. Properly laid out work.” “What say the Fellow Crafts?” asked Solomon. After deliberation, they answered: “Plumb walls, a level floor, square corners.” “How about the Masters? Surely they know.” called Solomon once more. The Chief Architect arose and answered: “Well-drawn plans. Correct placement of the parts of the building. Appropriate decorations and detail-work.” King Solomon then said, “It is good.” He continued, “Master Hiram, you have been quiet. What is your answer?” Hiram answered: “Rough stones. Dull tools. Dirty aprons.” www.geocities.com/zenmasonry/rough.html?20054
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Post by cheyham on Oct 26, 2005 23:31:29 GMT
I would feel unhappy and uneasy because that would mean it being "just another meeting to dash into and dash out of" which a Lodge meeting is not. Preparation is essential and the implementation of the formal dress code means I need to make time to go home and do it and get into the right frame of mind.
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Post by maat on Oct 26, 2005 23:45:50 GMT
Agreed - about 'time' and 'frame of mind' it seems we need a buffer zone.
Would your answer indicate that sometimes we forget that the Apron we wear over formal dress is more honourable than The Golden Fleece and thus more precious than all medals and honours which could be bestowed upon man?
Maat
PS - I do sometimes - which is interesting as my favourite part of an Initiation is the bestowal of the Apron.
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giovanni
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Post by giovanni on Oct 27, 2005 4:31:31 GMT
In Italy we haven't a dress code.
A suitable dress is enough. Before the WW2 Brethren dressed a black tunic (= equality) and I think we should wear it again.
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Post by cheyham on Oct 27, 2005 7:04:59 GMT
Would your answer indicate that sometimes we forget that the Apron we wear over formal dress is more honourable than The Golden Fleece and thus more precious than all medals and honours which could be bestowed upon man? Maat Yes I suppose it does actually although I hadn't thought of it that way before.
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Post by taylorsman on Oct 27, 2005 7:05:51 GMT
Again I find myself agreeing with Cheyham Seriously, I feel that it is necessary that a Lodge or other Masonic meeting is given its due dignity and if that means dressing in an appropriate manner then so be it. In the Lodges I attend the Dress code is as follows:- Dark suit or Morning suit (Black Jacket, waistcoat and striped trousers), white shirt, black tie, white gloves. I have known Brethren who come from work and get changed in the gents toilet into their suit if their working clothes are less formal. I would not be happy to see Brethern in a polo shirt and jeans, no matter how smart and high quality these may be. Freemasonry is not unique in having a "Dress Code" some other sports, pastimes and leisure activities require such standards of attire. I can think of Golf Clubs, Bowling, and Sailing.
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Post by forester on Oct 27, 2005 9:46:09 GMT
I have to agree with Taylorsman - I think if we relax the dress code then it would lower the standard of turn out
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Post by waynecowley on Oct 27, 2005 11:25:27 GMT
I would suggest that having the standard of dark suit etc also contibutes towards a feeling of equality - a sense of uniformity perhaps
Wayne
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Post by cheyham on Oct 27, 2005 12:40:37 GMT
Again I find myself agreeing with Cheyham Are you that surprised? ;D
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Post by petertaylor on Oct 27, 2005 12:46:35 GMT
Dark suit, white shirt, dark tie for office bearers. Lounge suit, shirt and tie for members. That's all that is required!
Some Lodges may wish to be more strict, but that is up to them. E.g. I'm secretary of Lodge Discovery 1789, Office Bearers wear dinner suit and white bow tie! Members and visitors, dark suit, white shirt, dark tie
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Post by forester on Oct 27, 2005 18:16:15 GMT
Office Bearers wear dinner suit and white bow tie! Now that sounds really smart ! Might suggest it at our lodge
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Post by maat on Oct 27, 2005 22:32:47 GMT
Many in Australia wear white tie and 'tails'. They look absolutely splendid - but - one does wonder sometimes if that may be part of the reason that they joined - to be part of the 'upper-crust' and a wee bit different from the rest.
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phil
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Post by phil on Oct 28, 2005 14:05:34 GMT
Many in Australia wear white tie and 'tails'. They look absolutely splendid - but - one does wonder sometimes if that may be part of the reason that they joined - to be part of the 'upper-crust' and a wee bit different from the rest. In Holland, white tie and tails is the norm. Virtually every Mason enter open the lodge so dressed. It cannot be denied that some enjoy the "elietist" atmosfer but that was not the original intention. Firstly, in days gone by, a "Gentleman" often wore white tie, tails and a top hat showing himself to be a true "Gentleman". The advantage, if one can call it that because these suits don't come cheap, is that everybody in lodge looks the same -- and very smart too. If they were to wear their "normal" daily garb then it would be very obvious who had the higher and lower positions in society. This is thus avoided enabling us to truely "meet on the level". Everyone the same. irrespective of his financial or social position. The Top Hat is still worn in German lodges and the master in a Prince Hall lodge. In France, the sword was a symbol of a "Free Gentleman" and the Dutch Lodges have consequently adopted the French system of Swords being used in the Lodge and not only by the Tyler.
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Post by mrmason on Oct 28, 2005 19:38:28 GMT
My lodge, chapter, cryptic and mariners, are very relaxed with regards dress. Obviously a suit, shirt and tie is required, but it doesn't even need to be a dark one. I attend these bodies in suits of black, brown and grey, as well as shirts and ties of different colours. At our Installation then we all wear black/dark suits, white shirts and black ties with the RWM, and wardens wearing a bow tie. At the 18*, RCC and KT, it is the norm to wear a dark suit, white shirt and black tie or the tie of the order ,as that type of dress is stipulated.
I personaly don't mind as long as the members dress smart.
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Oct 29, 2005 1:01:29 GMT
Maat, the white bowties and tails is usually for the installation team during an installation - otherwise, it is dinner suit with black bowtie.
It does mean that there are some clothes put aside and used (virtually) exclusively for Masonic purposes (other than the apron and gloves) - except in 'daylight' Lodges (meeting in morning or afternoons), for which a more common suit and tie is expected.
Having said this, I would not mind at all if the dress 'regulation' (a brother would not be excluded on that basis!) was relaxed, and a simple requirement of 'suitable dress' was instigated - the 'suitability' determined by each Lodge.
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Michael
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Post by Michael on Oct 29, 2005 9:05:19 GMT
I agree that a formal dress code is preferable, however is it always practicable?
About a year ago I assisted a mason from Kentucky to visit a lodge in Manchester, prior to his visit he told me that it was not uncommon at meeting for lodge members to wear shorts/jeans baseball caps and T shirts. As we now have a number of members on this site who are based/live in America I would be interested in what they do. Is this common practice. By way of an explanation my visitor said that the heat during the summer months was such that any sort of formal dress was very uncomfortable.
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Post by munkholt on Oct 29, 2005 9:18:50 GMT
michael: Looking at American websites for local lodges Over There it seems quite usual tha only the officers are wearing suits. phil: In Denmark it is also always tails, white bowtie, gloves, top hat from Master and up. Also, the vest is black rather than white – I don't know if this is usual practice elsewhere. Overall I like the formality. I looks really sharp, puts everyone on the level, and they can be procured in all price ranges. Frankly, membership is quite steep as it is, so the suit is not going to keep anyone from joining. Visitors are not turned away as long as they have some sort of dark suit.
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Post by Mikepm on Oct 29, 2005 10:06:30 GMT
Enter on the Level and leave on the Level. Dress code is a great leveler.
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jmd
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Post by jmd on Oct 30, 2005 10:09:45 GMT
Heat in America being unbearable???
Obviously those same brethren have not visited Melbourne 40 + degree (Celsius) meetings, Lodge full, with no air-conditioning and inadequate ventilation.
On the other hand, in such conditions, 'Summer dress' is declared, in which gloves and dinner jacket are left in the foyer, but white shirt, bow tie, dinner trousers and black shoes are still required (with the apron, of course).
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Post by JulesTheBit on Oct 30, 2005 12:21:11 GMT
michael: Looking at American websites for local lodges Over There it seems quite usual tha only the officers are wearing suits. phil: In Denmark it is also always tails, white bowtie, gloves, top hat from Master and up. Also, the vest is black rather than white – I don't know if this is usual practice elsewhere. Overall I like the formality. I looks really sharp, puts everyone on the level, and they can be procured in all price ranges. Frankly, membership is quite steep as it is, so the suit is not going to keep anyone from joining. Visitors are not turned away as long as they have some sort of dark suit. All I visited a Lodge in Texas where the DDGM was gently chiding the members for wearing jeans and muddy boots, it's a farming area. Next time he came the officers were wearing a set of new, nicely pressed green John Deere overalls with matching baseball caps. At a meeting of Irish GL I saw a Grand Officer from Lichstenstein in white tie and tails standing next to an American mason in stetson, jeans and bootlace tie. Wish I could have got a picture It's the differences that make it fun. S&F, Julian Lots of Lodges & orders, mostly in England
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