Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sandra Orlando on 4th mo. 27, 2009 at 3:03pm

Hi Tracey,

Thank you for adding me to your 'Friends' list. Speaking for myself, I don't dress Plain all the time. I do sometimes wear cape dresses at work, but they're not the typical Old Order style. I guess you could call them 'fancy Plain.' They were made by a Mennonite woman and have sewn-on capes, front and back and a flowery print. I call one of them "Rose' and the other "Daisy!' If you'd like to see pictures, visit me at my blog: www.plaindresssubmissive.blogspot.com. I don't think I would have any problem with wearing more conservative cape dresses and coverings at work, but in the present economic climate I feel it wouldn't be prudent. And no, I don't feel like a poser, but maybe I would if I lived in Lancaster County, PA... or even at the local Amish Farmer's Market. But I do do the grocery shopping, dig the garden, etc., in Plain Dress and I love it.

Permalink Reply by Wil Robertson-Wentzel on 4th mo. 27, 2009 at 8:42pm

Friend Tracey,

I offer thee this thought: what others SEE is often very different than what we SHOW. We press onward!

Every Blessing upon thee!

Permalink Reply by MJ on 4th mo. 28, 2009 at 2:33pm

My reply is based on the fact that I am my own boss since I am a SAHM and WAHM with my retail shoppe right next to my home. What I find is that, since the only cape dresses I wear are Mennonite style with prints, most customers just take me as I am since I have been dressing this way from day one. I do get a few customers who thought I was Amish (I guess my telephone, internet and lights didn't keep them from thinking otherwise) and I do not cover, so I never really understood that. Many times I also wear simple long denim skirts and plain blouses or t-shirts, denim jumpers and cardigan sweaters. Again, very plain and modest, but not so much that I stick out like a sore thumb....but yet I do, if that makes any sense. I will say this though, I know that I am ridiculed behind my back by my neighbors (who also have an antique store next door) and things have gotten back to me about their unkind comments. My husband has also witnessed them laughing at him in his Amish straw hat mowing the grass, and that hurts me because this is who we are, and we are not doing anything wrong. My husband has always dressed in button down shirts or simple tshirts, but now sports a plain style beard and has been wearing band collar shirts and his straw hat when out in the sun. I know that this is not being ridiculed as "work" as in your original post, but at the same time it is because I work at home and our business is at our home, and I know that things are being said to potential customers of ours, but I take it for what it's worth....they are very unhappy people and making fun of others is their way of making themselves look and feel better about themselves. Goodness, I feel like I'm in grade school all over again!

As far as feeling like a poser, I do dress plain when I go to Lancaster and visit the shoppes, and I do not get any adverse reaction from any Amish or Mennonite's at all. It's quite the opposite, and one Amish woman assisted me in choosing some warm undergarments in her store and gave me some pointers, and I shared my plain-dressing story with her. She was pleased, very understanding, and even expressed how hard it must be for us plain dressing Quakers in such a modern world. We discussed that a bit and it was very nice to be able to talk to someone, in person, who understands why I dress the way I do.

Please remember this, this is who we are, not something we are trying to be. That is my outlook on everything plain from my side of the fence. I no longer care what anyone says or thinks, and 98% of the folks accept me for who I am. And the 2% that may not, well, they aren't worth my time of day anyhow. I hope this helps a little my Friend!

Permalink Reply by Wil Robertson-Wentzel on 5th mo. 15, 2009 at 4:13am

Hystery,

Allow me to begin by saying how much I always enjoy reading thy postings. It is a sheer delight to wrap my mind around the simultaneous presentation of brilliant intelligence and sensitivity! I thank thee for it!

Why not try using the Quaker plain language? It is distinctly Quaker and while it may require some explanation, it can be a fine point of departure for marking thine affiliation. I know it feels odd at times to use it in our current time, and may also feel a bit like "posing." But it is a valid testimony. I find using the plain language amongst other Friends who are also inclined (and some not) to use it imparts a gentle reminder of our common humanity and equality, as well as our common heritage and our good fortune to be counted among Friends! I remember that some Friends in the past suffered greatly for their convictions, and one of those beliefs was that no person was superior to another, as all are equally precious in the Light! The plain language was an important vehicle for demonstrating this conviction, so I feel I honor those Friends past who paid much for following their leading. And the old principles are as valid today as they were years ago. We live in a world which seems to assign values to people and society is forever "categorizing" us and layering us into strata like a "social lasagna!" Let us remind each other, with plain speech, that all are God's children, and are loved equally. And that all fall short of God's glory!

And I do confess, Friend Hystery, that I sometimes enjoy using the plain language whilst in the company of non-Friends, particularly when someone may be asserting some imaginary dominion or worth over another, or over myself! For me, its use is as I have mentioned. For a non-Friend, I find it is, in this circumstance, peacefully disarming and sometimes generative of a curiousity which leads us to healthier conversational pursuits! It also marks the simplicity testimony with a poignant punctuation.

There is so much more I can say about this subject, but I fear I am beginning to ramble! SO I shall leave thee with my ideas here, for thy consideration. I look forward to thy insightful reply, should thou choose to make one.

Every Blessing Upon Thee!

Wil