On Quakers and Hats

I'm presently wearing my hat even if I'm indoors. Why is this? -  It's because of a certain Quaker tradition namely that of plain dress. It is a Quaker tradition that one should not adapt oneself to the ever-changing fashions of the world but rather dress plainly and modestly. Covering one's head is important, just as important as not wearing any jewelry. It's a part of the Testimony of simplicity. Early Quakers believed that it was important to avoid fanciness in manner, dress, speech, and possessions, since such things distract one from waiting on God’s personal guidance. They also tend to cause a person to focus on themselves more than on his fellow human beings, in violation of Jesus’ teachings.

“But personal pride ends not in nobility of blood; it leads folks to a fond value of their persons, be they noble or ignoble; especially if they have any pretence to shape or beauty. It is admirable to see how much it is possible for some to be taken with themselves, as if nothing else deserved their regard, or the good opinion of others. It would abate their folly if they could find in their hearts to spare but half the time to think of God and their latter end, which they most prodigally spend in washing, perfuming, painting, patching, attiring, and dressing. In these things they are precise, and very artificial; and for cost they spare not. But that which aggravates the evil is that the pride of one might comfortably supply the need of ten. Gross impiety that it is, that a nation's pride should not be spared to a nation's poor! But what is this for at last? Only to be admired, to have reverence, draw love, and command the eyes and affections of beholders. And so fantastic are they in it, as hardly to be pleased too. Nothing is good, or fine, or fashionable enough for them: the sun itself, the blessing of heaven, and comfort of the earth, must not shine upon them, lest it tan them; nor the wind blow, for fear it should disorder them. O impious nicety! Yet while they value themselves above all else, they make themselves the vassals of their own pride; worshipping their shape, feature, or complexion, whichsoever is their excellency.”

— William Penn, No Cross No Crown <http://www.gospeltruth.net/Penn/nocrossnocrownch11.htm> 17.02.2017.

Simplicity to Quakers has generally meant a reference to material possessions. Quakers have often limited their possessions to what they need to live their lives rather than accumulating luxuries. The testimony is not just about the nature of one's material possessions, but rather also about one's attitude towards these material goods.  Traditionally, wearing plain dress was an answer to a number of Quakers' concerns. Expensive styles were, and are, used to show social inequality and make statements about wealth. Only a select few could afford new expensive adornments, which could then be used to exacerbate differences between people based on class, where people in fancy clothing would not want to be seen socializing with others dressed poorly. This was part of the inspiration for the Quaker testimony of equality. In addition, the frequent buying of expensive new styles and discarding what had recently been bought, was considered wasteful and self-seeking, where Quakers instead aimed to focus on simplicity and the important things in life. Notably, Quakers did not consider it right to judge people based on their material possessions, but this could not be achieved in a society which placed an emphasis on keeping up to date with inconsequential but expensive new trends.

As fashions changed over time, the Quaker ideal of plain dress stood out against contemporary clothing styles. As a result, the traditional forms of this practice were dropped by most Quakers. Today, it is more likely that Quakers will try to put their faith into action by dressing in a plain version of current fashions. They may also try to buy only the clothing they need, and pay more for fairly traded clothing that has been made ethically. For me this means that I buy most of my clothes from second hand shops and flea markets. I save money and the producer who most likely didn’t produce the clothes in an ethical manner doesn’t get any money from me and thus I can avoid sponsoring unethically made clothes. I also wear  my hat indoors. It's an experiment and the experiences of having one's hat on indoors will be noted. I can imagine that people will see it as mildly rude and unusual but I will probably avoid causing any outright anger.

Sources:

Wikipedia, <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testimony_of_Simplicity> 17.02.2017.

William Penn, No Cross No Crown, <http://www.gospeltruth.net/Penn/nocrossnocrownch11.htm>17.02.2017.