QuakerQuaker

Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

Is Thee Plain Originally Posted 5-26-2010

Had an interesting thing happen at the park this morning. I take my dog
to the park in Chambersburg and on my way back from the doggy water
fountain I saw a woman and two small children coming my way. She wore a
long denim skirt (ankle), and a simple long-sleeved Henley type shirt.
She also wore a white bun cover. I recognized her right away! I mean, I
didn't know her of course, but you know what I mean.
"Is thee plain?" I asked in my excitement. I hope I wasn't too pushy in asking.
"Pardon?" I guess she didn't see that coming.
"Is thee plain?" I asked, pantomiming a bun cover on my own head.
"Yes" she said, still taken aback a bit.
"Me too" I said, grinning like an idiot. I was wearing my pony tail and bandanna.
I admire her courage. I wanted to wear a skirt to walk the dog but felt I
would be showing off or drawing attention or something. I wear my cargo
pants.

Eh well, it's not every day you see a like minded individual, not even in Pennsylvania. I hope I didn't scare her too much.

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Comment by Leslie Rodgers on 7th mo. 1, 2010 at 4:20pm: You've conquered the Doggie Walk Challenge!

Comment by Paula Roberts on 7th mo. 1, 2010 at 4:28pm: Ha! You're right. I hadn't thought of that. Actually I just ordered a couple of jumpers (dresses) from Katie's Mercantile to that end.

Comment by Leslie Rodgers on 7th mo. 2, 2010 at 12:58am: Do they color coordinate with the dog and the leash?

Comment by Paula Roberts on 7th mo. 2, 2010 at 1:04am: Haha! Not unless the dresses come in dirt, muck and dog hair! Jumpers are so freeing without exposure. I've had some in the past and want more, but they're not coming from the department store, no siree. They're going to come from a fairly compensated local craftsperson.

Comment by Paula Roberts on 7th mo. 2, 2010 at 1:08am: Jumpers are like the blue jeans of dresses; they go anywhere, do anything, can be dressed up or dressed down, and look fine in the office or out walking the dog. They are quite versatile. Katie's Mercantile has this thing she calls a slip dress that seems intriguing. It is a blouse to wear under a jumper but it is very long so it's like a whole slip, except the top part is meant to show through the top of the jumper. It's a great idea I think. When you think of the layers of clothes you would wear if you were well dressed under a jumper - underwear, slip, camisole, shirt, jumper - this is much more comfortable since the shirt and slip are all one piece. It is just not a versatile piece of clothing in my opinion - it could only be worn under a jumper. You couldn't wear it as a top on its own, for example.

The slip dress http://www.katiesmercantile.com/blouses_ladies_slipdress.html

Comment by Leslie Rodgers on 7th mo. 3, 2010 at 12:25am: I have a similar thing, some chemises I wear under jumpers. My kids and I used to do Historical Reinactment, Colonial French Era, and I made my first chemises then to wear under a bodice (like a vest) and multiple layers of multicolored petticoats (skirts). My originals were white, but I quickly figured out that being well below knee length I could use them as a combination blouse-slip under my modern-day long jumpers.
Because my plain-ish dresses have a soemwhat lower neck than average I also wear a chemise under my dress in winter for an extra layer of warmth. The gathered neckline shows about 2 inches above the neckline of the dress, and the cuffs show just below the dress sleeves. I've decided to branch out a bit to make some in colors that coordinate with my dresses for this coming winter.
The chemise can also double as a cozy night gown.

pics of chemise at http://jas-townsend.com/

I also have sometimes worn a long sleeved dress as a blouse under a jumper.

Comment by Paula Roberts on 7th mo. 3, 2010 at 12:37am: I see the chemise. Her slip dress is more fitted I think. Still, I use T shirts under jumpers. I'm not sure about the slip dress since it can't be used anywhere else. I never thought about wearing a dress under a jumper though. By the way I am currently field testing a snood from Katie's mercantile!

Comment by Leslie Rodgers on 7th mo. 3, 2010 at 11:42am: Keep us updated on the snood situation.
Cousins recently posted some pics on their facebook of years of family reunions....even in my pre-Plain years there I am surrounded by shorts-clad cousins and I'm wearing a dress, or a long jumper and loose fitting t-shirt, or a jumper with a chemise or second dress under it, or some variation of artsy-plain clothes. The thrift store has always been my good friend, lots of good not-in-fashion stuff there to experiment with cheaply. That way I can try out a dress style to see if it is comfortable/functional for me for around $5 ($2.50 on sale day) before I buy fabric and make one or pay someone to make one.

Comment by Nanna Kapp on 7th mo. 9, 2010 at 1:14pm: I too love the thrift stores! My challenge is to not buy too many items and to keep it simply to what I really need. (it's amazing how many excuses come to my mind to buy just one more lol!) Hubby gets a kick out of watching my little exercises in control.

As far as meeting someone conservative and plain.....it just doesn't happen where I live. God has called me to something in which I stand completely alone. What I at first thought was going to be so challenging has actually become freeing and a great opening to speak with people and answer their questions. We will be moving next year to North Carolina to Myrtle Beach and I am hoping to meet some friends their.

Peace to all,

Nanna Kapp

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