The South is a place of strictly implemented traditions that are slow to evolve. One of the largest traditions is going to church. This is a regular occurrence in southern culture. Every Sunday is a intricate act including many southern familiarities from a traditional church service to a lunch of fried chicken or pot roast around the table full of small, slow talk and big, loud accents.
Traditionally, church attire has been very particular and reliable in the south. Being an extremely religious and modest region, people are expected to dress accordingly to church services.
With Hattiesburg being an increasingly modernized town with more open minded residents that more rural parts of the state, church attire has become more relaxed. In the past, women were seen in skirt suits, pantyhose, pearls, high heels, and exaggerated hats like they were extras in the wedding scene of the southern classic, Steele Magnolias. Women now wear less formal dresses and occasionally avoid high heels. Men would be seen in suit and ties, far from overalls, boots and work wear. Currently, men wear khaki pants and a button up shirt.
Church is unfortunately a competitive setting where fashion is an important aspect. Although recent dress codes are more relaxed, southerners expect everyone to look their best from their pearls to their pantyhose.
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