The conversations and discoveries I made with Mary Jane reminded me of the conversations I had with Elva (my cook) and the amazing things I learned about her. You can check out that episode here: th-cam.com/video/E1BamOfiAuM/w-d-xo.html
When you're a conservative Mennonite your clothes express your humility and group affiliation. If you have a close group, it's very easy women to become vain and fashion conscious. Church standards help keep clothing modest, economical and practical. I'm A conservative Mennonite, and women want to look neat and pretty. Many are experts at turning sheets into dresses. The church standards narrow the scope of fashion to help stop preoccupation and excessive expense. My church has written standards that the men write based on consulting with the women and one another. Mothers teach from an early age not to have huge prints, gaudy colors, tight and short clothes. Its much better than in worldly churches where women wear immodest clothing or look scruffy. A Mennonite looks very neat and keeps a modest appearance without large expense.
You bring up good points. In your church it sounds like the men and women are working together to establish standards of Christian dress that reflects their values.
Some of the prettiest girls I see when I visit Lancaster County, PA are the Mennonite girls with nice complexions, no makeup, modest dresses, and caps! They work in many stores, like Goods Hardware, just across from the Shady Maple. They are always very nice but seem a little skittish. Maybe outsiders rattle them a little bit!
@@tommyt8998 they believe girls should be reserved because being friendly with guys they don't know will brand them as "fast." And some are just plain shy. The German culture values caution and reserve.
@@Benjamin-jo4rf I know neckties have been rejected ever since bow ties started in the 1800's. Men don't wear low riding pants, no shorts, no t-shirts except under another shirt. They disapprove of clothing being too casual because it makes people lazy and careless. They don't want Western wear because they don't want the "cowboy spirit" (i.e. I'm an independent man and I have the right to do things my way). Shoes or boots can't be too fancy. They don't believe in mixed bathing of the sexes. Most of the burden for modest dress falls on women because they are prettier and their dress and natural good looks can easily entice men into lustful fantasies.
I really enjoyed this video! The person you interviewed seemed so approachable and kind. Would love to see more interviews with the locals. Thanks again! From a Progressive Canadian Mennonite.
Thanks so much. We do our best to get interviews with the locals. It's not always easy since many of them are gunshy about being on video. We want to respect their decisions, but at the same time we want to promote understanding. We love these people dearly.
very informative and interesting. i didn't know the extent to which any of the PA dutch had changed with regard to styles. i visited the green dragon farmer's market many times years back. also, i worked a hop, skip and jump from the NY macy's years ago. thanks for this video, kristen. cheers!
I too as I talk to Mary Jane was surprised at the evolution of Old Order Mennonite styles. I think from the outside I always saw them as kind of unchanging.
I just checked out Mary Jane's shop today! She is the sweetest lady and had the best store! Her place is definitely worth stopping in. I'll be a regular customer from now on 😊
Some of the Anabaptist denominations are very fashion conscious. Where every generation will have their “thing” but bigger shifts in dress take 5 years to fully take hold. The coverings or how hair is put up also has a lot of fashionability associated with it. Some members are more honest about the shifts in fashion expression others will not. Being seen as clean and perfectly dressed is a sign of wealth and spiritual health, the former less admitted to. Ask yourself how plain (simple, moderate or modest) is wearing 5 different dresses over a weekend?
If it was 5 different dresses from a store, it would be a great extravagance. But each of those dresses is probably 4 yards of material, 1 zipper and a little bit of elastic. And a girl 16 or 17 probably does her own sewing and will wear it later as a work or everyday dress. So, in perspective in this manner it’s not very extravagant.
I totally "liked" this comment. 😂😂😂😂😂 Yeah, there was one part I especially noticed it; talked to my editor about it(aka my husband) and we felt it would cut up what I was saying to much. It is something I will definitely work on. Thanks for watching!
The conversations and discoveries I made with Mary Jane reminded me of the conversations I had with Elva (my cook) and the amazing things I learned about her. You can check out that episode here: th-cam.com/video/E1BamOfiAuM/w-d-xo.html
When you're a conservative Mennonite your clothes express your humility and group affiliation. If you have a close group, it's very easy women to become vain and fashion conscious. Church standards help keep clothing modest, economical and practical. I'm A conservative Mennonite, and women want to look neat and pretty. Many are experts at turning sheets into dresses. The church standards narrow the scope of fashion to help stop preoccupation and excessive expense. My church has written standards that the men write based on consulting with the women and one another. Mothers teach from an early age not to have huge prints, gaudy colors, tight and short clothes. Its much better than in worldly churches where women wear immodest clothing or look scruffy. A Mennonite looks very neat and keeps a modest appearance without large expense.
You bring up good points. In your church it sounds like the men and women are working together to establish standards of Christian dress that reflects their values.
Some of the prettiest girls I see when I visit Lancaster County, PA are the Mennonite girls with nice complexions, no makeup, modest dresses, and caps! They work in many stores, like Goods Hardware, just across from the Shady Maple. They are always very nice but seem a little skittish. Maybe outsiders rattle them a little bit!
@@tommyt8998 they believe girls should be reserved because being friendly with guys they don't know will brand them as "fast." And some are just plain shy. The German culture values caution and reserve.
Barbara, what are the men's clothing and modesty standards and when did they start wearing the clothing the men wear currently?
@@Benjamin-jo4rf I know neckties have been rejected ever since bow ties started in the 1800's. Men don't wear low riding pants, no shorts, no t-shirts except under another shirt. They disapprove of clothing being too casual because it makes people lazy and careless. They don't want Western wear because they don't want the "cowboy spirit" (i.e. I'm an independent man and I have the right to do things my way). Shoes or boots can't be too fancy. They don't believe in mixed bathing of the sexes. Most of the burden for modest dress falls on women because they are prettier and their dress and natural good looks can easily entice men into lustful fantasies.
I really enjoyed this video! The person you interviewed seemed so approachable and kind. Would love to see more interviews with the locals. Thanks again! From a Progressive Canadian Mennonite.
Thanks so much. We do our best to get interviews with the locals. It's not always easy since many of them are gunshy about being on video. We want to respect their decisions, but at the same time we want to promote understanding. We love these people dearly.
very informative and interesting. i didn't know the extent to which any of the PA dutch had changed with regard to styles. i visited the green dragon farmer's market many times years back. also, i worked a hop, skip and jump from the NY macy's years ago. thanks for this video, kristen. cheers!
I too as I talk to Mary Jane was surprised at the evolution of Old Order Mennonite styles. I think from the outside I always saw them as kind of unchanging.
I just checked out Mary Jane's shop today! She is the sweetest lady and had the best store! Her place is definitely worth stopping in. I'll be a regular customer from now on 😊
Bonus! Tell her I said hi!
Another great episode!
Thank you so much. I appreciate you watching.
Some of the Anabaptist denominations are very fashion conscious. Where every generation will have their “thing” but bigger shifts in dress take 5 years to fully take hold. The coverings or how hair is put up also has a lot of fashionability associated with it. Some members are more honest about the shifts in fashion expression others will not. Being seen as clean and perfectly dressed is a sign of wealth and spiritual health, the former less admitted to. Ask yourself how plain (simple, moderate or modest) is wearing 5 different dresses over a weekend?
It's probably all a matter of perspective. What you say is true and certainly each generation changes and evolves. Mary Jane would agree with you.
If it was 5 different dresses from a store, it would be a great extravagance. But each of those dresses is probably 4 yards of material, 1 zipper and a little bit of elastic. And a girl 16 or 17 probably does her own sewing and will wear it later as a work or everyday dress. So, in perspective in this manner it’s not very extravagant.
Do you realize how many times "like" is used in your speech?
I totally "liked" this comment. 😂😂😂😂😂 Yeah, there was one part I especially noticed it; talked to my editor about it(aka my husband) and we felt it would cut up what I was saying to much. It is something I will definitely work on. Thanks for watching!