Comments on: On Dressing Plain

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 20:46:34 +0000

In reply to Yvonne Stewart. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

By: Yvonne Stewart

Yvonne Stewart — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 20:45:28 +0000

In reply to Martin Kelley. Thank you so much Martin. I really needed your words. I will be going along to the Glasgow meeting house ❤️

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 20:27:28 +0000

In reply to Yvonne Stewart. Hi Yvonne, thanks for coming to my blog and commenting on this ancient discussion. You should certainly pass through that meetinghouse door and see what you see. The comment you replied to is 18 years old. I don't even know the person who left it. It was their opinion then but doesn't represent what you'll find in a typical Friends meeting. There are plenty of people who use makeup and take care to dress nicely and wear clunky jewelry. It's all good. All we care about is that you come ready to join the worship.

By: Yvonne Stewart

Yvonne Stewart — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 21:12:20 +0000

In reply to Jonathan. My ungodliness is clearly in my love of fabric and texture and cut and style. I take pleasure in a clean simple line - whether for clothing or architecture. Form might follow function - but when it does there is clear beauty. I have hesitated at the door of the Meeting House for so long - held back by what I believe friends would view as shallow materialistic interests and would lead to rejection or condemnation of me. I like a red lipstick. And I enjoy clunky coloured jewellery. It makes me smile. And often, as an activist (human rights; mental health campaigning; child protection and children's rights; trade union and employment rights and environmental protection) clothes have helped subvert social norms. It makes me sad that all this means I can't cross the meeting house threshold. Or that appearance means I cannot worship.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Wed, 08 Feb 2006 16:54:47 +0000

My idea of plainness would be better understood by using the term modest-dress. I think that people should avoid too much expense when buying clothes, spending frivolous amounts of money on clothing and being seen dripping in designer labels from head to toe will cause people to question your sincerity and faithfulness. The message: do not let money be your god.
Your clothes should not reflect your disposable income or status. Clothes are worn for a basic purpose, to keep us warm and give us dignity and a decent appearance. They should not be barometers of wealth or mere fashion statements. Neither should they be too bright and colourful, or too skimpy. Clothing should cover provocative areas like cleavage and legs.
Avoid wearing too much jewellery, it is incredibly vulgar to wear too much and will imply a materialistic or vain temperament. Remember, the only possessions that Christ ever had were a pair of sandals and the clothes on his back. Stick to a simple wedding ring (a plain gold band is best) and a pair of modest earrings or studs (not the long, dangly kind). The final item that you COULD add to this list is perhaps an elegant pearl necklace for evening wear. This should be the most jewellery that you should own, you should not need any more than this. Anything else is simply vanity.
As regards the wearing of cosmetics, the woman who wears make-up today is no longer a fallen woman or a devious temptress, but she should still exercise caution. A light, simple make-up is the way to go. Just a little foundation sealed with a light dusting of face powder, a quick swish of blush, a dab of neautral brown eye shadow on the eyelids and the merest hint of brown or black mascara for definition, a final slick of lipstick in a basic shade completes the look. Avoid frosty or glittery ‘fashion shades’ of lipstick. Stick with a clear red or a plum pink. Never wear too much make-up, a face caked with cosmetics has an artificial look and loses character. It also hides the individual underneath all of that make-up. For many women going completely barefaced may be an option, if you have the confidence to do this. A face without cosmetics can look fantastic if skin is in good condition, you will also save money from not having to pay out for expensive make-up all the time.
Being plain does not mean having to be a washed-out, whey-faced wallflower. You have the option of wearing tastefully chosen and very lightly applied cosmetics. If you are not very good at ‘doing your face’ however, I think you should avoid wearing base and simply apply a quick brush of mascara and a quick smudge of lipstick. This will make you look presentable without appearing immodest or flashy. You can also scrub your face bare and show off your God-given face to the world, if you dare.
#Just a little advice from a quiet, English Quaker hoping to be of service.

By: Martin Kelley

Martin Kelley — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 11:06:58 +0000

Hi Kas,
My answer to “what’s plain dressing?” is “however you’re led to dress.” I do have “more to say”:http://www.nonviolence.org/martink/archives/000080.php but the first principle is that this isn’t a uniform to be adopted so you’ll fit in, but instead a reflection of leadings and promptings from the Holy Spirit. See the
“Quaker plain dress”:http://www.nonviolence.org/quaker/plain_dress.php page on this site for a whole range of stories and definitions.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 10:33:08 +0000

Hi Kas -
One of the most nicely organized overviews of Quaker Plain dress is at Quaker Jane’s site. She describes “different levels of plain” — your jeans and t‑shirts would likely fall into the “simple dress” catagory.
Welcome to being a Quaker! 🙂

By: Kas Ridiman

Kas Ridiman — Tue, 08 Mar 2005 04:06:16 +0000

I am new to being a Friend. What exactly would constitute Plain dressing? I rarely wear anything but jeans and tshirts…