Cantor’s Capsule Wardrobe

I have been working on this capsule wardrobe for weeks and am very excited to share it with you. I got the idea to do something fun like this from This Ain’t the Lyceum. Her post about a hilarious SAHM Capsule Wardrobe cracked me up. And of course, other ideas that float around Pinterest all the time. I thought I would make it different, though. Most people don’t talk about appropriate clothing needed for church.  Heck, I’m not too picky. But growing up, my parents required us to wear dress clothes every Sunday. No jeans, no flip-flops, and definitely not any t-shirts.  I am glad they did that to this day because I feel I have a duty to dress well to meet our Savior in church at Mass. And because I feel more comfortable with myself in church when I am dressed appropriately.  That aside, I love being up to date with the latest fashions and trends. So I created this capsule wardrobe for the one time I do go out in public: Mass, and I’m usually the cantor for that weekend, so it works well.  Sorry, men, I haven’t taken the time to create one for you yet. But if you send me the kind of clothes you wear, I would be happy to make one!  I found all of the products from ModCloth, Kohl’s, Old Navy, Designer Shoe Warehouse, and JC Penney, some of my favorite stores for finding more formal and classic wardrobe pieces.  

Capsule Wardrobe for Women Cantors

Tops

I tried to pick out blouses that were colorful, flattering, and modest. When you are standing in front of the congregation, this is the section of clothing that gets noticed the most. I also included some basics to make sure we weren’t being too bold and distracting people with our clothing choices. I would stay away from a lot of colorful, bold patterns, but instead, go colorful with subtle patterns.

I really like this detailed white blouse from ModCloth. It is great for the liturgical times when the Mass colors are white, like Easter. Similarly, this lovely green blouse is perfect for… you guessed it, ordinary time! Everyone needs a striped top to keep things interesting. I love this one from Old Navy; has some cute bow detail on the sleeves, too! This flowy turquoise blouse is beautiful. Would work for all times of the year. I added one gray dress for those times when you are feeling extra fun or it’s warmer outside.

Bottoms

These are mostly in neutral colors to go with anything. I kept them simple cut and found styles for all seasons. This great black midi-skirt is basic and also classic that can go with anything! Let’s not forget our sleek gray trousers either. Perfect for summer/spring/fall with a cropped pant leg. I found some great colored skinny pants but kept it neutral in a great navy blue. I also included a pair of dark jeans, because I know how sometimes you wear jeans. Just make sure they are the kind with no holes and are a nice dark wash. I really love these from Kohls.  

Shoes

Shoes are my favorite! While finding stylish options is a challenge, I heartily accept it. I have picked shoes that are on-trend and comfortable for singing. I started with a basic metallic flat that will work for all seasons (and outfit combos) You can’t go wrong with a boot, especially in this awesome cognac color. I also chose some boat mocs to keep it classy and stylish. Then I found these great supportive sandals. And we can’t forget our favorite pair of booties.

Jackets/Cardigans

I kept this section simple. Just a few basic pieces to go with everything. It is also super helpful to have these light layers just in case church is super cold one week and quite warm the next. You never really know, do you? So be prepared. Speaking of being prepared, I recently wrote a post about cantor’s needing certain things to be prepared for singing at Mass. Head here to read it! This hip utility jacket from Old Navy has just the right amount of coverage for warmth and style! You can’t go wrong with a classic navy cardigan, either.

Accessories

My favorite part of an outfit. Not really, shoes are definitely my favorite. But these come in at a close second. Accessories have the ability to make or break an outfit. I picked pieces that would help make your outfit more unique! Love, love this adorable multi-colored bangle that can virtually go with anything! I found this pretty sparkling watch, too! A must is a simple chain necklace with a teardrop pendant. Can work with any outfit! Rounding it off is a patterned red scarf, perfect for liturgical times, and also, just for neck warmth. You can’t sing well when your vocal chords are cold!

Capsule Wardrobe for Everything!

There you have it. Hopefully, I have created a timeless wardrobe for you for your church cantoring duties. I know for some of you it’s a full-time job. For those of us like me, it’s a part-time gig that we volunteer for. Either way, this post will give you the basics (and a few fun items) that you need to create the perfect capsule wardrobe for cantors. If there is something that I missed or something you want to see further, please comment and let me know! I would love to adjust the post to help more people! Here’s to singing good and looking good, girl!