attention seeking
clothing
community
fashion
making a statement
missing the point
modest
modesty
plain
plain dress
Plain dress?
By hvedra
@hvedra (1619)
December 14, 2011 4:42am CST
I've been reading up on plain dressing and it strikes me that there are two very different kinds of people who do this. First, there are those in plain communities - such as Amish, Mennonites, etc. Who are truly plain because they have a dress code that they all stick to. In those cases, plain dress is an equaliser and prevents any kind of display through clothing. This, to me, really sticks to the ideals of "plain dress" and expresses some good values about a persons outward appearance not being as important as who they are and how they conduct themselves.
However, what about those who have taken on what they refer to as plain dress as individuals and who live in communities where plain dress is anything but plain - because they are the only ones wearing it? I've found that the blogs of these (almost entirely) women are pretty much obsessed with clothing and wearing the "right" clothes and the entire reason for it is to set themselves apart from everyone around them. They promote a lot of businesses that make plain clothing and devote a lot of time to their outward appearance. Surely this is the antithesis of what plain clothing is supposed to be about?
If you are dressing in a way that is very different to those around you, to make a statement, attract attention and be different that really isn't plain.
If I wanted to be plain around here, I could throw on some jeans and a fleece without any logo and that would be plain. I could get a long skirt and pullover and be plain. If I dressed up like someone from Little House on the Prairie, which seems to be a lot of people's definition of "plain", I'd be making a big show of myself and attracting lots of attention!
What do you think, mylotters?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@WakeUpKitty (8694)
• Netherlands
14 Dec 11
Wearing all the same can unite or take away the differences. I think this is the same in the army or with school uniforms.
but I agree that wearing jeans and a shirt with logo makes you belong to a group too.
To be honest I don't know what is plain anymore. Also I don't like to be one out of the cattle, still I don't like to show off with my clothes and make a big show out of me. I don't need that.
1 person likes this
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
14 Dec 11
i like this discussion. it makes me think. i guess i also like wearing plain clothes. but at times, i want to send a message across, that's why i wear those shirts with messages or what people call advocacy shirt. plain can also mean elegance. there are those who wear plain clothes, but they look elegant.
1 person likes this