*Photos used by permission of Plainly Dressed

Modest Dress

Many people who choose to adopt religiously observant dress do so in a slightly more modern context. Historically among Quakers, there were always those who wore what was currently fashionable but omitted objectionable frills and fancies. At one time, all a Quaker woman had to do to "go plain" was to move her kerchief from being tucked into the neck of her dress to being worn on the outside and adopting the Quaker cap rather than one of the current styles of caps. In this day and age, simply wearing a modest skirt can be quite the statement, as well as covering. I know a Friend who chooses to wear skirts who went in to work on her day off wearing jeans. A co-worker saw her and was shocked because she assumed that since this Friend wore skirts so religiously, skirts were a religious requirement of the Quakers.

Generally, women who observe modest dress do not wear the traditionally plain cap styles, usually preferring "Bush" or "Charity" veils or head scarves and kerchiefs. They usually observe strict gender difference in their styles, wearing hand-sewn modest dresses of a feminine print, florals being popular. They cite:

"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Deuteronomy 22:5

While their clothes may seem old fashioned in spirit, they are not specifically anachronistic and usually do not have symbolically important items. Jumpers are also a popular choice. Women in this category almost always keep their hair long. Makeup and jewelry may be worn, particularly for preserving feminine appearance. When they are avoided, it is usually per I Timothy 2:9,10.

Some resources for non-traditional plain, modest dress and coverings:

• Garlands of Grace's One of a Kind coverings are particularly lovely.
• PrayerCoverings.com
• ChristianCoverings.com
• HeadCoverings.com These women have a wide range of covering styles available. They are slow to deliver, but what they deliver is very well made.
• The King's Daughters Modest dresses and jumpers, with an excellent selection of maternity and nursing wear. I have heard good things about them, and they seem to have pretty, functional styles.
• Pure in Heart Specializes in lovely, full-skirted jumpers.
• Rachels' Seamstress Services offers lovely dress options
• WorksOfTheHeart.com Offer "feminine, modest apparel."
• Modest Handmaids "Modest handmaidens is a home-based, Christian cottage industry which seeks to reach ladies who have the desire to honor the godly principles of modest dress."
• A Joyful Handmaiden offers wonderfully feminine styles for girls and women. Their dresses for expectant mothers seem particularly well-designed and lovely while being functional.

The Modest Clothes Directory has an ever-evolving list of links to websites offering ready-made, made-to-measurement and patterns for modest dress and headcoverings.