“Dress Reform” Clothing

I want to share some information and quotes as to how we are and are not to dress. Although we are not to look like the world, SOP says we can look like the world if it keeps with God's principles.

“If the world introduce a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress, which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation to God or to the world to adopt such a style of dress. Christians...should shun extremes.”  (CG 414.3)

We are told not to go out of our way of not looking like the world. But of course we don't wear make-up, jewelry, high heels, etc.  But if the world comes out with a modest skirt that is popular, there's nothing wrong with wearing it.

WHEN WE DRESS, LET'S REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:

#1: We are to be a Peculiar People. Meaning, we are not to dress like the Mormons, Muslims, Hindu women, or Mennonites.  We are to stand out from them as Jesus did when he spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well.  She knew he was a Jew by His dress.

“Those who claim to know the truth and understand the great work to be done for this time, are to consecrate themselves to God, soul, body, and spirit. In heart, IN DRESS, in language, in every respect, they are to be separate from the fashions and practices of the world. They are to be a peculiar and holy people. It is not their dress that makes them peculiar; but because they are a peculiar and holy people, they cannot carry the marks of likeness to the world.”  {LS 350.3}

#2: We are not to dress like the Pilgrims

“We are not to feel it our duty to wear a pilgrim's dress of just such a color, just such a shape, but neat, modest apparel, that the word of inspiration teaches us we should wear...”  {TM 130.2}

#3: We are to dress according to our age and station in life and the times in which we live.  It is not appropriate to dress like we are in the 1800s when we live in 2018.  This is a turn-off to many and GIVES TRUE DRESS REFORM A BAD NAME.

“...It is always right to be neat and to be clad appropriately in a manner becoming to your age and station in life.” {4T 142.3}

#4: We are not to look frumpy or like something that will scare the crows away (as Sister White puts it)

“...encourage them in neatness of dress, at the same time teaching them that their dress should always be neat and BECOMING (looks nice, not ridiculous). She is to discourage vanity and extravagance in any line.”  {MM 176.1}

“...Sisters when about their work should not put on clothing which would make them look like images to frighten the crows from the corn. It is more gratifying to their husbands and children to see them in a becoming, well-fitting attire...”  (1T 464.2)

#5: We are not to wear large print.

#6: We are not to wear gaudy colors.

“The Bible teaches modesty in dress. “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel.” 1 Timothy 2:9. This forbids display in dress, gaudy colors, profuse ornamentation. Any device designed to attract attention to the wearer or to excite admiration is excluded from the modest apparel which God's Word enjoins.”  {CG 423.2}

Self-denial in dress is a part of our Christian duty. To dress plainly and abstain from display of jewelry and ornaments of every kind is in keeping with our faith. Are we of the number who see the folly of worldlings in indulging in extravagance of dress as well as in love of amusements?  {CG 423.3}

“Ever have your dress of good, durable material, and modest colors; let it be made plainly, without adornment. You certainly need to improve in your style of dress.”  {DG 159.1}

#7: We are to wear colors that fit our skin tone.

“Taste should be manifested as to colors. Uniformity in this respect, with those who adopt this style of dress, is desirable so far as convenient. Complexion, however, may be taken into the account. Modest colors should be sought for...”  {HR, September 1, 1868 par. 19}

#8: We are not to wear short sleeves.

       “...Satan invented the fashions which leave the limbs exposed...” {2T 531.3}

#9: We do not need to wear a head covering as a piece of cloth is not our head covering, but the hair the Lord meant for women to have. In other words, don't purposely cut it short. (1 Corinthians 11:5-6,14-15)

OUR DRESS SHOULD SHOW TASTE

“...Those who make themselves peculiar by adopting this dress should not think for a moment that it is unnecessary to show order, TASTE, and neatness.

Here is a link with tons of information on dress, why women shouldn't wear pants, and everything else about this subject.  Enjoy!!! There are lots of powerful resources such as articles/videos/sermons.
http://www.remnantraiment.com/subpages/history.htm

WHY ONLY 8- 9 INCHES???

Length of Dress.

“The length of the fashionable dress is objectionable for several reasons:” -- {HL 125.3}

1. It is extravagant and unnecessary to have a dress of such length that it will sweep the sidewalk and street.  {HL 126.1}

2. A dress thus long gathers dew from the grass and mud from the streets, and is therefore uncleanly.  {HL 126.2}

3. In its bedraggled condition it comes in contact with the sensitive ankles, which are not sufficiently protected, quickly chilling them, and thus endangering health and life. This is one of the greatest causes of catarrh and scrofulous swellings.  {HL 126.3}

4. The unnecessary length is an additional weight upon the hips and bowels.  {HL 126.4}

5. It hinders the walking...” {HL 126.5}

“...whoever has seen a woman in a trailing skirt, with hands filled with parcels, attempt to go up or down stairs, to enter a streetcar, to walk through a crowd, to walk in the rain, or on a muddy road, needs no other proof of its inconvenience and discomfort.  {CH 91.4}

“...My views were calculated to correct the present fashion, the extreme long dress...and also to correct the extreme short dress, reaching about to the knees, which is worn by a certain class. I was shown that we should shun both extremes. By wearing the dress reaching about to the top of a woman's gaiter boot (right below the calf area) we shall escape the evils of the extreme long dress, and shall also shun the evils and notoriety of the extreme short dress.  {1T 464.1}

The longer skirts are not convenient.  Every try walking up and down the stairs in one with your arms/hands full of packages? It's not easy to do.  Plus, the skirts almost to the ground, and even near the ankles, when it rains or you are in dirt, it's easy to kick up dirt and get them dirty, causing health problems.

“I would say that in our part of the State of Michigan we have adopted the uniform length of about nine inches from the floor. I take this opportunity to answer these inquiries in order to save the time required to answer so many letters. I should have spoken before, but have waited to see something definite on this point in the Health Reformer. I would earnestly recommend uniformity in length, and would say that nine inches as nearly accords with my views of the matter as I am able to express it in inches.  {1T 521.1}

“It should reach to within eight or nine inches from the floor... ” {RH, April 14, 1868 par. 36}

“...a rule was brought and it was found that the length of our dresses ranged from eight to ten inches from the floor. Some of these were a little longer than the sample shown me (the sample shown her was 9 inches, a little longer is the dress 8 inches from the floor), while others were a little shorter (this is the 10 inches from the ground...this is the dress she said should be worn when doing yard work, etc., so it's easy to get around)...”  {3SM 279.1}

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