When a young man joins the fraternity and yes I say young man as this seems to be the norm more than in the past they often ask what they should wear when they show up for their first degree. I always respond “business attire” or jacket and tie are nice. If you don’t have such a shirt and tie please.
Why a dress code?
Well it’s good to put on your “Mason Suit”. A “Mason Suit” is your uniform for Freemasonry. You don’t have to think when lodge comes up just put on your “Mason Suit”.
Now the Black Suit is very versatile and can rise to any occasion. When worn with white shirt and black tie or masonic tie of choice you fit in fine at your stated meeting or on the sidelines during a degree. If tuxedo is your lodge thing throw on a tux shirt and bow-tie and viola you have a tux. Trust me nobody will notice. If they do tell them it’s all the range in Europe.
Now this is where your “Mason Suit” becomes the armor of a Super Hero. If you change your lapel pin and tie you suddenly are equipped to attend lets say Scottish Rite. If your tie is Red WOW you are now in a York Rite Chapter Mode or Purple you’re in Council or Black Once again and “Tadda” your in Commandery.
For those unfortunate times in Masonry you are ready for a funeral to say goodbye to a Brother and with the addition of a colored waistcoat you are the life of a Festive Board.
Uniformity in Dress is important in Freemasonry (my opinion) but the appearance adds to the leveling effect and the conformity adds to the solemnity of the occasion.
Oh yeah if you travel overseas or around the country one outfit or your “Mason Suit” makes the travel-on a heck of a lot lighter.
A new Mason has plenty to spend money on in initiation fees and dues and hopefully a starter library. The last thing he should freak about is how to dress.
Average black suit with shirt and tie at a well known department store costs...
$200.00 suit
$024.99 shirt
$012.99 tie
That’s it.
JL PM
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