AboutDavid Spector Expertise I can answer questions about Quakerism and the Religious Society of Friends from a Universalist (non-Evangelical, unprogrammed) point of view, particularly questions about Quaker religious practice.
Experience I have been a practicing Friend since approximately 1998 and have been active in attending and helping to organize Friends' activities, such as retreats run by our Meeting.
Organizations I belong to I am a member of Friends Meeting at Cambridge (Massachusetts, USA).
Expert: David Spector Date: 10/4/2007 Subject: Plain Dress
Question I was reading that Quakers believe in "plain speech", and that makes sense, but do Quakers today still believe in dressing plainly in order to avoid vanity, conformity, and wastefulness? I know that Quakers are individuals, but is this widely practiced, or just minimally? Thank you very much.
Answer Lindsey, Thank you for your question.
Hundreds of years ago, dress was a powerful statement of one's position in society. There was a much wider range of dress than our current (for males) informal/suit/tuxedo. People with a high position, or those who fancied themselves of a high position even though they were not, wore very fancy and expensive clothing as compared to that of ordinary citizens.
Today, there is little difference in the informal dress of laborers, company presidents, and members of Congress. Our dress now depends more on the event we are attending than on who we are.
Most people who attend Friends Meetings dress informally.
Quakers are no longer "peculiar people" as they were in the 1700's and 1800's. They no longer stand out in any way. However, they do hold private testimonies that are somewhat different from the typical citizen: they believe in working for peace, they oppose military solutions, they advocate for living a simple life.
I hope this brief answer has helped. Please feel free to submit follow up questions, if needed.
