My wife recently attended a memorial service for a long-time friend who was in her nineties and had been known and loved by our mutual families for many decades.
The officiating pastor dressed as he normally does for public worship services, in casual pants and an untucked shirt.
I’m not his judge (1 Cor. 4:5), but I do continue to question what has become of a common sense of decorum and discerning appropriate dress for public worship or solemn gatherings.
Paul calls us to show “honor to whom honor” is due (Romans 13:7). There are occasions where our own casual convenience or cultural preferences should not be the focus but, rather, a holy obligation to show respect and honor for the occasion, for other worshippers, or–most importantly–for what is pleasing to the Holy One of heaven.
The great “love chapter” (1 Cor. 13:4-6) teaches that love “…is kind…(and) does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own.” Often, it seems we have forgotten that we come together not for our own purposes or pleasure but to worship God and/or edify, encourage, or comfort each other.
I would be the first to admit that this specific topic is not a moral issue, where God has already ruled on its acceptability (e.g. 1 Cor. 6:9-11). Paul said that, as a believer, “all things are are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable” (v. 12).” That could also be expressed as “not all things are helpful,” or maybe, as may relate to appropriate dress, “not all things are appropriate, respectful, or positive.”
Rather, how to dress appropriately for certain settings or circumstances (like a memorial service for a member of the family of God) might be considered as an ethical issue, where we have to discern biblical principles and examples to apply in pleasing the Lord.
I have written elsewhere about Jesus’ example in dressing for the first communion service. (He dressed “up” and not “down.” See John 18:1-19:24.) How should we dress for this holy observance?
Also, you and I can consider these practical categories and ethical questions for contemporary Christian living:
- PROFIT (1 Cor. 6:12): Is it good for me? Will it add a plus quality to my life?
- CONTROL (1 Cor. 6:12): Will it get control of me, or will it lessen Christ’s control of me?
- OWNERSHIP (I Cor. 6:19-20): As God’s property, can I justify this activity?
- INFLUENCE (1 Cor. 8:9, 12-13): Could this action negatively influence any of my believing friends?
- TESTIMONY (Col. 4:5): How will my testimony with outsiders be affected if I participate in this activity?
- THANKSGIVING (1 Thess. 5:18): When I come home from this activity, can I thank God for it with a clear conscience?
Based on your prayerful consideration of these practical categories and ethical questions, you can develop personal convictions for a discerning lifestyle that will be pleasing to God.
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His Way 
I remember my dad and mom getting very dressed up when they would go out to dinner. It didn’t happen often, perhaps only 2 or 3 times a year. As a child it made an impression on me because they made it seem so very special and I thought my mom was so beautiful ♥️ I asked my dad once why they got so dressed up for these “dates” when this particular evening they weren’t going anywhere “fancy.” He lovingly replied, “I don’t dress up for the place, I dress up for your mother.” ♥️ His comment spoke to me about love and respect, which is what I hear in what you’ve written. I believe it’s a good thing, and something that sadly seems to be slipping away in much of today’s culture.