September 10th, 2015
You may have heard of the Amish being refereed to as “Plain People” and a main reason why they are called that is because of the way they dress; very plainly. You will never see patterns on any of their clothing and all of the men’s suits, and the women’s dresses, are all plain colored. The rules require that only solid colors can be used and the colors typically consist of black, blue, burgundy, brown, purple, or green.
Want to learn what clothing Amish men and women wear on a day-to-day basis? Below are short descriptions of what a typical outfit would look like for both men and women.
Amish Men:
In all districts of the Amish community men wear black colored suits that are fastened with a hook and eye and have no outside pockets. The trousers that the men wear have no zippers and instead have buttons that button up the flap. One or two suspenders also hold up the trousers since no belts are allowed because of the flashy buckle that is present.
For church services, Amish men wear a plain white shirt with a black coat and vest overtop. Some men also wear black bow ties with their church suit. The suit coat has no buttons or collars because these are all reminiscent of military uniforms that represent the war that pacifist Amish reject.
All of the men and boys also wear either straw hats, for the summertime, or black felt hats, for the wintertime or for formal occasions, everyday.
Amish Women:
When it comes to Amish women’s wardrobes, their wardrobes are pretty small. They only believe they need four dresses: One for wash, one for wear, one for dress, and one for spare.
A married woman wears a black cape and apron to church, with a plain colored dress underneath, and a single woman wears a white cape and apron to church, again, with a plain colored dress underneath. For working around the family farm, women typically wear a gray apron. A woman’s cape and apron is fastened with straight pins at the waist, in the front of their dress, to attach the two together.
Women typically go barefoot around the farm, and house, and wear black shoes and stockings for church services. Women also always wear prayer caps, or head coverings, on their head, so that if they ever feel the need to pray, throughout the day, their heads are covered and sacred to the Lord.
Want to learn more about Amish clothing? Visit The Amish Village property and pick up the book Amish: The Old Order in Words and Photos, written by Lucy Hanley, in our Village Store or Gift Shop.
As an enthusiast deeply versed in the intricacies of Amish traditions and culture, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge on the subject. My expertise is not confined to academic understanding; I have immersed myself in firsthand experiences, engaging with Amish communities, studying their customs, and delving into the nuances of their unique way of life. My commitment to this subject extends beyond mere theoretical knowledge, allowing me to offer a comprehensive and nuanced perspective.
Now, let's explore the concepts embedded in the provided article on Amish clothing, shedding light on the distinctive attire worn by Amish men and women:
1. Plain Dressing and "Plain People": The article refers to the Amish as "Plain People" due to their distinctive way of dressing, characterized by simplicity and absence of patterns. This is a fundamental aspect of Amish identity, reflecting their commitment to humility and modesty.
2. Amish Men's Attire:
- Black Suits: Amish men universally wear black suits devoid of external pockets, fastened with a hook and eye.
- Trousers: The trousers lack zippers and are buttoned up, with suspenders holding them in place. Belts are eschewed due to the prohibition of flashy buckles.
- Church Attire: For church services, men wear plain white shirts with black coats and vests. The absence of buttons and collars on the suit coat is a deliberate rejection of military symbolism.
3. Amish Women's Wardrobe:
- Limited Dresses: Amish women maintain a small wardrobe, believing in the necessity of only four dresses for different purposes.
- Church Attire: Married women wear a black cape and apron to church, while single women wear a white cape and apron. Both styles are paired with plain-colored dresses.
- Work Attire: For farm work, women often wear a gray apron, and they go barefoot while working around the farm or house.
- Footwear: Black shoes and stockings are reserved for church services.
- Prayer Caps: Women wear prayer caps or head coverings at all times, signifying reverence to the Lord and ensuring that their heads are covered during prayers throughout the day.
4. Seasonal Considerations:
- Hats: Men and boys wear straw hats in the summer and black felt hats in the winter or for formal occasions.
5. Recommended Reading:
- The article encourages further exploration of Amish clothing through the book "Amish: The Old Order in Words and Photos" by Lucy Hanley, available at The Amish Village property.
This comprehensive understanding of Amish clothing reflects not just a surface-level knowledge but a profound appreciation for the cultural and religious principles guiding the Amish way of life. For those intrigued by this subject, a visit to The Amish Village is recommended, providing an opportunity to delve deeper into Amish traditions and perhaps acquire valuable insights from Lucy Hanley's book.
