Chapter 14—The Need for a Reformed Dress
Seventh-day Adventists and the Reform Dress
- Contents- Chapter 1—A Plea for Women
- Chapter 2—Distinguished Ladies Lead Out
- Chapter 3—Mrs. Bloomer Given Publicity
- Chapter 4—Dress Reform Gained Favor
- Chapter 5—Dr. Austin’s Powerful Plea
- Chapter 6—Dress Reform Principles Prevailed
- Chapter 7—The Quest for Moderation
- Chapter 8—Adoniram Judson’s Appeal
- Chapter 9—Mrs. White’s Remarks on Dress
- Chapter 10—Deplorable Physical Effects
- Chapter 11—The Influence of the “American Costume”
- Chapter 12—Basic Principles
- Chapter 13—Close Observation
- Chapter 14—The Need for a Reformed Dress
- Chapter 15—Mrs. White Tries the Dress
- Chapter 16—At the Health Institute
- Chapter 17—Dress Discussed in the Churches
- Chapter 18—“Adopt a Simple, Unadorned Dress”
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Chapter 14—The Need for a Reformed Dress
A similar recognition of the need for a reformed dress that might be adopted by Seventh-day Adventist women is voiced in a letter written by Mrs. White to friends during the time of her visit to Dansville. In a free and easy manner she said:SDARD 10.2
“They have all styles of dress here. Some are very becoming, if not so short. We shall get patterns from this place and I think we can get out a style of dress more healthful than we now wear, and yet not be Bloomer or the American Costume.... I am going to get up a style of dress on my own hook which will accord perfectly with that which has been shown me. Health demands it. Our feeble women must dispense with heavy skirts and tight waists if they value health....
“We shall never imitate Miss Dr. Austin or Mrs. Dr. York. They dress very much like men. We shall imitate or follow no fashion we have ever yet seen. We shall institute a fashion which will be both economical and healthful.”—Letter 1a, 1864
It is evident from this statement that up to that time, although Mrs. White had “been shown” certain principles that should govern a reform in dress, there had been no detailed, specified pattern revealed to her. Later she consulted with other sisters in Battle Creek, Michigan, in seeking for a costume that would be consistent with the faith and practice of Seventh-day Adventists. It seems probable that it was about this time, while they were endeavoring to find such a middle-of-the-road pattern, that the vision was given in which she saw three companies of women, each with a different length of dress. Regarding this she wrote, in 1867, in reply to a question:SDARD 10.3
“The first were of fashionable length, burdening the limbs, impeding the step, sweeping the street and gathering its filth; the evil results of which I have fully stated. This class, who were slaves to fashion, appeared feeble and languid.
“The dress of the second class which passed before me was in many respects as it should be. The limbs were well clad. They were free from the burdens which the tyrant Fashion had imposed upon the first class; but had gone to that extreme in the short dress as to disgust and prejudice good people, and destroy in a great measure their own influence. This is the style and influence of the ‘American Costume,’ taught and worn by many at Our Home, Dansville, New York. It does not reach to the knee. I need not say that this style of dress was shown me to be too short.
“A third class passed before me with cheerful countenances, and free, elastic step. Their dress was the length I have described as proper, modest and healthful. It cleared the filth of the street and sidewalk a few inches under all circumstances, such as ascending and descending steps, etc.”—The Review and Herald, October 8, 1867.