QuakerInfo.com Forum

[CelticNorth]

I see the Puritan persecutions in New England as a continuation of the Pendle Witches and the trials that occured at Lancaster Castle. Ancient folk tradition surely contiued on in Northern England long after the advance of the Roman conquest, and embers of the old Celtic culture still remained extant in many local communities, exhibited by a world inhabitaed by spirits and forces not acceptable to the new "Christian theology". Spells, omens, potions, visual sightings of spirits were all segments and beliefs of the older Celtic view of the world, which descibed forces unseen through the lens of Celtic tradtions. We only know them today as elves, fairies, wizards and such. Women from the Celtic culture who perhaps still practiced the ancient traditions may have collided with the intolerance of Puritan Christians through a continuation of folk practices. The Celts of old stripped off their clothing and bared themselves fully naked for battle, so there may be a link to the old ways in the protest of Puritanism by doing so naked. Witchcraft of old was nothing more than localized tribal belief that resisted the change to Christianity, my Friends.

[bradleyp]

That brings up an interesting question of influence. Historically, how much influence do you suppose the Puritan movement had on Friends of their era in terms of their choice of clothing.
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Bradley P.
Somewhere along the pathway back, the pathway forward, wherever it leads, I wish for an interesting walk.

[CelticNorth]

I may not be going to far out on a limb by suggesting that both Puritan and Quaker attempts at dress conformity have their roots in scripture, and that parts of scripture are still used as the reference point for defining religious humility today, especailly in women's fashion. The story of Jezebel, has been, pehaps, the oldest based biblical theme equating moral behavior, religous observance to a dress code. You have to admire Jezebel for taking the time to make her final exit a memorable one for the genocidal maniacs who were followers of YAWEH befoe going out the window to be eaten by the dogs. They were nothing less than the Semetic Al Queda of their times, me thinks.

[bradleyp]

For men who choose a Quaker style plain, what might be commonly worn in the winter? Can a knitted toque be plain?
I wore my straw hat a fair bit this summer, but I’ve been thinking, for me, personally, right now at least, I wouldn’t wear one, or a felt one either, in the winter. What solutions have plain men come up with for snowy winter weather?
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Bradley P.
Somewhere along the pathway back, the pathway forward, wherever it leads, I wish for an interesting walk.

[kevin roberts]

i wear a gray felt broadbrim in the winter, made by flying eagle here in ohio. periodically someone in my meeting will gather up money and make a bulk order to them, because they otherwise make only black hats (they're amish)

the latest one i just got is a fur felt and is a little too floppy for my taste, so i'm still wearing the stiffer rabbit one right now while i decide what to do with the new one. my wife wants to experiment with starch

i wear gray knitted stocking caps when my ears get too cold.

the amish wear black felt in the winter, or heavy dark blue stocking caps

[Dan]

[Gracie]

"stiffen thy brim"

Is the peace churches version of girding one's loins?
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http://sowingmildoats.wordpress.com

When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?
Eleanore Roosevelt

[bradleyp]

Dan, could I find an ear warmer thing like you described at a sports store, or a big chain store, do you think?
When I was a kid I had a railroad style hat (if that’s what you mean), got it at Port Stanley here in Ontario, I think, seems to have been a tourist attraction around some vintage trains if I recall correctly.

Kevin, thanks for the information. I can imagine, if I may, you and Dan wearing wool/knitted caps under your brimmed hats.

When I first read the reply about knit caps, for whatever reason, I pictured a late November early December World Series baseball game where some of the players had chosen to wear what looked like balaclavas under their regulation baseball caps
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Bradley P.
Somewhere along the pathway back, the pathway forward, wherever it leads, I wish for an interesting walk.

[Shay]

[Dan]

[GKK]

[kevin roberts]

well, as is often the case, there are vast amounts of information available about things i don't know anything about.

i ran across hide glue and shellac references in my own looking, but being a lazy sort, i like the idea of a spray compound. plus, my available search time at the house is limited, as it's fence building time for me now that the ground has thawed. my chainsaw seizes up when it gets warm, so the time to cut posts is now.

i'll look and see what i can find in the way of spray-on haberdashery. it's a nice hat, i just don't care for the idea of wearing a bag over my head when it rains

[Bazza]

My view on plain clothing is very simple - I give it very little thought. I wear whatever I find comfortable. Fashion, style or colour is of no consequence. I keep my clothing until (a) my wife refuses to go out with me, or (b) she tosses them into the recycling bin or (c) they're worn out. I do have one dress jacket and trousers and small collection of ties (2 at last count) which I wear when not doing so would be inappropriate.

When I buy clothes, I select garments that are comfortable, at least partially environmentally friendly, not made in sweat shops, last at least several years, and my wife won't throw out while there's some life in them. Colour and style are only considered if the previous criteria are met at which time I will defer to my wife's preference.

I feel that clothes are for keeping warm (and decent) not for making any kind of statement.