Ugly Clothes is it a rule???

tattoogrl333

Ok last post before me and my pillow get together. So what is the dress code of JW. I notice a lot of long skirts, and dresses. they let me wear what I want since I am not baptised, but it is kind of funny to show up to a meeting in my tennis skirt (since I go after work). Although I haven't heard any complaints. Anyways just wondered if it mostly dresses since all the women I have seen thus far have worn ugly dresses with big ugly flowers on them. Except fot the lady I study with who is very trendy but I was just wondering. Good night all.

nelly136

as you get assimilated you will feel the need to fit in with
all the others, to be acceptable you will need to start
dressing modestly, its totally painless and as time passes
you probably wont even notice your hemlines getting longer
and your necklines getting higher, before you know it
you too will be a stepford dresser
nelly

Pubsinger

I went to the Kingdom Hall for the first time in over 2 years the other week to see a friend. It took me hours to find my suit!

Think about this Tattoogrl.

They might have a dresscode but God doesn't. He doesn't care what you wear or what you paint on your body. He cares about you because of who you are.Fullstop. He wants you to be you, and not to be something you aren't. You can't fool him by dressing up. He can see right through it to the real you.

Stephanus who started the tattoo thread is right. You are too much fun to waste in the organisation. They'll just try to get you to conform. And you'll have to pretend to be something you aren't.

I bet they're already shopping for some longsleeved, floorlength, throathigh dresses to cover you up!

And I make no wonder they're not complaining when you turn up in your tennis skirts!!

Actually I've got a plan. How about the first db affair. You'll get kicked out, and then you can stay and have fun with us!

I'd volunteer my services on the ethical grounds that I'd be rescuing you from a dangerous situation. I promise I have only your best interests at heart!!

Pubsinger

Seeker

You can do whatever you want now, but that will change once you decide to actually become a JW. Conformity is the rule.

Women wear dresses, almost without exception, unless you live in a really, really cold climate, and even there it is the preference. Those dresses had better extend to just below the knee or longer, or else you will be considered weak and/or rebellious and/or worldly. Certainly, you won't be allowed on stage to give a talk if you wear a dress or skirt at or above the knee. Absolutely forget trying to get on an assembly stage that way.

Are these outfits deliberately ugly? Of course not. But there is a strong discouragement from trying to be too showy, or to follow the absolute latest fashions, calling attention to oneself, or being too worldly. Therefore conservative choices tend to be the rule.

Also most JWs are on the lower end of the financial scale (unless you live in a wealthy neighborhood), so they don't tend to buy the most stylish of clothes.

Although this is gradually changing, the WTS has been ruled from the top by men who viewed the traditional 50s look for women appropriate, and for a very long time this has influenced how the average JW woman dressed. As I said, this is changing, but some conservative congregations might still be ruled by old-time elders.

Boy do you not belong among the JWs! (just my opinion). You'll hate having to subjugate yourself to men the way they will demand it, and dress conservatively, and act conservatively. Of course, you could just be a "weak" JW and do whatever the hell you want, but you won't be fully accepted unless you conform.

dunsscot

Something to think about, tattoo:

1 Timothy 2:9, 10

"Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness."

Duns the Scot

D wiltshire

Witnesses will be very carefull to not stumble you so if they feel you are not stong enough to know the truth about this or that, they will try to not really answer your question in a way that will stop you from going to meeting or stop your Bible study.

After you get Baptized you will find thing will change quite rapidly and will not be treated with kit gloves anymore.

mustang

Tattoo,

Since I haven't been to a meeting in 25 years, I'll not comment on the ladies apparel. But I am up to date on the gent's wear.

For the past 3 or 4 weeks, 2 Dubs have been holding 2 hour long sessions with one of the neighbors in the driveway directly out my front door & across the street.

Same old white shirt, tie, suit jacket, SHINED & POLISHED wingtips (I used to get 'gigs' on that) and leather bookbag.

Yes it is a rule. The uniform is set.

As Pubsinger said, I would take a while to find my suit. BTW, I just got through working in a place where the entertainment industry was the client. Our dress code was 'YOU HAVE TO WEAR CLOTHES'. So my original work attire has gone from dress slacks, short sleeve pin-striped shirt and loafers (optionally slightly polished) to baggy cotton dockers, pullover knit shirt and sandals. (Oops, steel-toed shoes required on the factory floor.) And I cross the line in and out of management!!

You too can go full circle, so enjoy the ride.

Mustang
Cheers

Princess

Years ago the elders told my husband that my skirts were too short. He suggested we go shopping one evening and was partial to some pretty longs skirts. He finally spilled the beans so I wore the long ones to the meetings and the short ones to work. I finally got sick of it and went back to the short ones. Then one of the older elders (married to a fanatic pioneer sister) started hitting on me all the time. I realized that it was actually the elder's wives who didn't like my skirts and dresses. I wore them anyway.

Princess

"...and they lived happily ever after."

waiting

The length of the skirts are important, but also deemed worthy of comment by older brothers and sisters (and talked about behind your back) are the following:

No cleavage is to be shown, period.

Women should wear hose, even during the summer in the South.

Men should wear suits, even during the summer in the South.

If you cross your legs, knees should be covered. Bring a sweater for this purpose.

Skirts should not be so tight as to show the roundness in your bottocks, nor the outline of your thighs. (I happen to agree with this one.)

If your black, no African-style or print outfits.

No off-the-shoulder dresses and obviously no strapless dresses.

No spaghetti-strap dresses or thin strapped sundresses either.

Slits in skirts should not be too high - or put a safety pin in them.

Funky women's hats are frowned upon.

Funky shoes (thick soles etc.) are frowned upon.

More than 2 rings on a single hand are frowned upon.

Black women should not have really short clipped hair even if it looks good on them.

Men's hair should not touch their collars, nor should sideburns be long.

Men must not have a beard. Mustache is ok - trimmed tightly.

However, men and women can wear as much cologne (cheap or expensive) as they wish. It's considered a private matter even if it chokes the person 5 rows back.

Really, it makes for a very conservative group. I loved to wear suits so it was no big deal for me. I loved shoes - so enjoyed them a lot along with purses.

In fact, I have a whole closet full of good clothes with no place to go. And I'll let them rot before walking back into a Kingdom Hall.

waiting

ps: The expression "frowned upon" is a common one in the KH. It means "don't do it."

Mulan

I remember that old pervert. He really lusted after you, girl. No wonder his wife hated us so much.

Ugly Clothes is it a rule???

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