Amazing! Did you know about Suspendergate?
There are different rules on suspender-use among the Amish, just as there are rules on hats, shoes, and ladies' bonnets.
This post provides you some insight into the varied and complex Amish world. One cannot say, "All Amish" do this or that.
My learning curve about the culture and its confines began in 2009 when the "Ex-Men" [a group of former Swartzentrubers] graced my life. Then Mosie, our first "adopted" ex-Amish son moved into our home.
This sideways wear you'll see among the Belleville, PA Amish. I'm unsure if their settlement rules dictate the right shoulder but, it'd seem so as all are wearing the single suspender across to the right.
And wow, did you know that Milverton, Ontario Amish suspenders can be white, black, blue, and patterned?
The suspenders may be held in place with either buttons or clasps, which is also mandated within an order's settlement.My ex-Amish friend, John, who now lives in TX had this to say, "Neither one of the pics show suspenders that would pass in the community I grew up in. Ours had to be an X in the back that literally crossed each other. I see one that resembles an X except the strand on the right shoulder stays at the right at the bottom. That was against our rules...we were raised on fine details."
Former Amish Daniel said, "Ours had to be a dark color. When I lived in IL they had to cross in the back and be sewn together, church law."
The uber strict Swartzentruber Order of Amish rarely wear suspenders. Someone asked me how Swartzentrubers keep their pants up. I've seen their pants sag and bag, and belts are verboten, too! Nebraska Amish in Big Valley, PA forbid suspender use.
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To those of us "outsiders" it resembles a fashion statement. Thinking of long ago when we wore our dads' white shirts with jeans and tied the tails in a knot. Of course, if we failed to wear them in that fashion we were termed to be "grits" , the equivalent of high-school shunning.
ReplyDeleteHuh, that's interesting. I've never heard the term "grits" related to clothing. I find it fascinating that every culture has subtle "fashion" trends/fads, or ways of solidifying sects through clothing.
DeleteIt takes a keen eye to detail to see the different Amish suspender-use rules.
Almost like gang affiliations.
ReplyDeleteOur Swartzentrubers had a Y shaped "gellus" that was straight up in the back, then they split into 2 across the shoulders, and down the front. They were fastened with buttons.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Joseph. Most of the Swartzies I know do not wear suspenders at all. But one ex-Swartzie told me that in his settlement it was a choice to wear 'em or not.
DeleteI always view the Amish as a community that keeps it all together through religion. The clothing mystifies me though. Each different community with a different set of rules. Yes on the hat ,no on rubber on buggie wheels and red not orange for hunting, etc.etc. It's hard not to view it all as more a dictatorship. You look through the years of old order to the changing of times and you can see how the younger generation is fighting for another view and holding the Amish life as well. But it is changing. I just don't get why a piece of clothing is supporting one group yet not in another, but there all Amish.
ReplyDeleteYes, the different rules for each order...and even a district (a geographic group within the settlement) can mystify us all. As I write mostly about the strictest order - Swartzentruber - I've had Old Order even say, "the Swartzentrubers are backward."
DeleteAnd yes, many of those who've left the Amish from various orders, have told me that it's all about control or "dictatorship" as you describe. There are great qualities about the Amish and there are oppressive rules, too. The educated reader accepts both sides of this culture.
Had a recent conversation with an Old Order Amish first cousin and she spoke very contemptuously about the Swartzy community less than 20 miles away from her community.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've had an Old Order Amishman say of the Swartzentruber, "They are backward."
DeleteIt surprises many people that the Amish isn't a large mass of like-minded people. Rather the culture is multi-layered and not all the orders like or respect another order.