traditional Pilgrim woman
Furthermore, I don't look good in anything that even resembles a dirndl skirt (not many do!) and although black dominates my closet, I wouldn't want to wear it as a uniform every single day. BOR - ING.
quadruplets??
Actually, I grew up near Lancaster, Pennsylvania so I am very familiar with this type of dress as I got to see the Amish and Mennonite quite often. I'm not positive, but I think the Mennonite people are a less strict version of the Amish. They wear the "tea strainers" (I credit my mother with that description) over their bun-like hairdo's and I'm pretty sure they're allowed to use electricity... and they may even drive cars! Still, their outfits have a lot to be desired.
Mennonite woman with her "tea strainer"
When I first came to New York (too many years ago to reveal), I used to tell people that I was Amish and I busted out one day because I was sick of the lifestyle. Sick of wearing the same damn thing every day and the same damn thing as everyone else. That's why I became a designer. I could usually keep people going for a while until I tried to describe my escape -- riding my horse and buggy up the PA turnpike into NYC. Can you imagine?
A couple of years ago, the great Steven Meisel did a shoot for Italian Vogue where they featured Amish fashion and their way of life as the concept for the spread. Interesting. Of course, they used a lot more color and pattern not to mention sexy, young models. Still, I thought even they looked a bit frumpy.
cover, Vogue Italia, February 2008
Happy Thanksgiving ... and ooh, it's time for Nouvelle Boujelois and mittens.
ReplyDelete(although a naughty black apron has its place)
How about the shoes?? I'm thankful I don't have to wear those shoes! I hope you have a beautiful holiday lovely lady!
ReplyDeleteTea strainer is a good description!
ReplyDeleteJoyeux anniversaire madame ! And I'm thankful to have met you this year, and I hope to meet you in NYC for NYE!
ReplyDeleteAs for the Amish, once upon a time I had a long-distance relationship in Des Moines, Iowa; I was in Wichita, Kansas then. Anyway, every month or so, I would take a Greyhound bus to Kansas City, then a Trailways bus to Des Moines. In between Kansas City and Des Moines, one of our stops was in Lamoni, which apparently is an Amish community. The Amish we picked up didn't all wear black, though. Some wore dark blue, purple and green as well. Still traditional, though, in styling.
And I wish I was there when you told your "Escape from PA" story lol!
I never saw that Meisel shoot. Too bad, because I think I missed something special.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it couldn't have been as special as you would have looked barreling up the Penna 'pike trying to make your escape from a life of homogenous drudgery!
I think this way A LOT. I was thanking goodness this afternoon that I didn't live in an age where contacts or decent glasses didn't exist, or where I would have to wear a corset. (I wore one once in a film and cried most days) LLGxx
ReplyDeleteIt;s time for Beaujolais Nouveau? That's the start of the Christmas season in Quebec! I really miss living there.
ReplyDeleteI'm thankful for the "Escape from PA" story!
ReplyDeleteChristine
Hi! I was searching on google about amish dresses and I found your article.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to offend you, but I don't think it's right that we make fun of the amish. I really love this people. I do not agree with everything that they believe, but I see that they are really a people who repented of their sins and are surving the Lord fully.
I think it's an act of courage from their part to be set apart from worldliness, even in the way they dress. They want to be modest, and that's a very good thing.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or judge you with this comment. I just said my opinion. In any case, sorry.
Jesus bless you!
Hi! I was searching on google about amish dresses and I found your article.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to offend you, but I don't think it's right that we make fun of the amish. I really love this people. I do not agree with everything that they believe, but I see that they are really a people who repented of their sins and are surving the Lord fully.
I think it's an act of courage from their part to be set apart from worldliness, even in the way they dress. They want to be modest, and that's a very good thing.
Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or judge you with this comment. I just said my opinion. In any case, sorry.
Jesus bless you!