Saturday, May 8, 2010

Duggar Fashion: Laura Ingalls Who?

I know we discussed this early on in the blog's infancy, but it's time to broach the subject again. This time not so much the clothes themselves as just the sense of style. We recently delved into modesty, now let's talk about the teen's individual sense of style, as I've noticed this season they are developing an individuality that in previous years they haven't had.

From the pre-teen pinafores (they weren't prairie dresses as most people call them--the Bates family was wearing the prairie dresses) to the matching denim skirts and polo shirts, in the past seasons, the girls lately have been dressing to their own separate tastes and I'm liking it. Jinger or Jessa (I can't tell them apart anymore) is wearing the baggy sweatshirt every time with the skirt and Jill and Jana are still dressing pristine as always. No longer is the family wearing matching colours so they can be seen as a group--those days of one-colour polo shirts seem to be long gone.

For whatever reason, each child has grown into their own and is deciding what they want to wear. Be it a Season Three anomaly--they are camping out and have one washer so it's wear what you can find and deal with it, or they've just decided that it's time to let the kids wear what they want to wear as long as it's modest; I'm loving it!

I explain this to people all the time. I worship with Chassidic Jews who are far more modest than the Duggars--no flip-flops (must wear at least sheer knee highs with sandals) and long-sleeves year round. But the fashion is still fashion. They shop at the nice stores--I shop where I can afford, but more importantly I buy what I like. I prefer flowing skirts and since I grew up in Oregon, I get a lot of "hippie" jokes thrown my way. But my Rabbi's wife does wear a Duggar-style denim skirt with a tie-dye shirt and she's no hippie! It's just what was in style when she bought it! Like I tell people, there's no rule that we have to dress like Laura Ingalls! And truth be told, I even have sexy (shock and awe) outfits for when we go out for special occasions...but they are still modest!

I've also noticed the hair styles aren't the same for the girls anymore. They seem to have decided they aren't liking the matching perms. One of the girls does have the natural curls--either Jinger or Jessa, I'll have to rewatch that perm-giving episode where they tell which one, or someone who remembers can just note it. It was Jill who said in the interview that they liked having the same hairstyle because "you want to have the same style your friends have." They seem to have drifted into their own unique styles. Jana and Jill have gone to straight styles. Joy-Anna is still the tomboy with the tight-in-the-back pig-tail, and Jessa and Jinger who are close in age and as Michelle says, "almost twins" both seem to have curly hair and as I said one of them is natural. And like I said I can't tell them apart lately--the last few episodes anyway.

They are also asserting some teen independence as well--as with the mountain climbing trip--the teen girls wore flip-flops. Typical teens in a typical family would do that. I wouldn't expect anything less from a typical teen in a typical family. I'm so proud! But did they whine, moan, and complain about it? NO! They made it to the top and were happy when they got there---THAT is the difference between a typical whining teen and a Duggar teen. They may assert some independence but they don't have to be crotchety about it! Good for them!

The older ones are also experimenting with make-up, yet tasteful and modest. They don't look over-done or ridiculous. They look like fresh-faced, happy young teens, twenty-somethings. Even Michelle looks good in her interviews. I will admit, however that in some of the shots of Michelle at the home and hospital she looked a bit pale and less healthy and I do hope she's ok. But in the interviews she looks good.

Anna does seem to have changed since the birth of her child. Her hair has gone straight. Of course you can't get a perm while your pregnant, or breast-feeding. People complain that she's "let herself go" but if she's still breast-feeding that's probably why--people remember, no perms while you're breast-feeding! I think Anna looks fine. She is fresh-faced and always has her make-up done well and has a smile on her face. A smile is all you need! Her wardrobe seems to have gotten even more modest after she has gotten married. I wonder if she's done that on purpose--no longer dressing like a "teen" but more like a "mom." She doesn't have to, but maybe that's her choice. She certainly dresses her daughter beautifully. And when she goes out with her sisters-in-law she always fits in.

I do disagree with those that say it's being on TV that's changed the way the Duggars dress. I think it's growing up. People tend to forget that when they started filming this family the girls were pre-teens and didn't really care all that much. Now that they've grown up, seen the world, developed a sense of style, and developed their own personalities, they do have more of a say in what they wear and it's still modest, but it's their own. I have a feeling it would be that way TV show or no TV show.

I think Josh has also developed a sense of style too. Afterall he's in business for himself and has to look somewhat successfull and he is only 21. Why shouldn't he be dressing similar to his peers. And for those who were complaining about him wearing Aeropostle and isn't that expensive and against their "buy used save the difference?" Well I was in the mall yesterday (first time in 2 years) and saw an Aeropostle store--didn't even know what one was. They had a sign in the window for t-shirts 2/$10 and polo shirts "Buy One Get One Free." I decided to venture in and they had a clearance rack in the back with deals down to about $9.99 to what we've seen Josh wear in shirts. All those sales seem about fair to their bargain-hunting ways to me.

But for me, I'm lucky, I'm from the Sephardic tribe so I do get to wear flip-flops!

33 comments:

  1. Jessa has the natural curly hair and her face is longer than Jinger's whose face is roundish. I htink of al the girls Jinger is going to be the knockout a very natural baeuty. I feel that their fashion sense has changed for the better. I think they were kind of stuck in the 80's look and have rapidly updated to the present. I prefer that people cover skin I do not like seeing body parts hanging out. I prefer longer skirts that go to my calf and so does my daughter! My eldest prefers jeans to skirts which is a shame as she is very feminine and petite. I find when you wear skirts men tend to be more polite and have better manners! I have been in the the "attitude" that woemn have to have a career and now I relaize I have lost many years of my children's youth because we did not leanr to economize when we were younger-my kids are learning it now! I have stated many times I would prefer to see the grandchildren I might have have an at home parent and it is possible IF one keeps their expenses at a minimum.

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  2. I agree, the kids are growing up. I really didn't think they would dress like dolls forever. :)I think everyone looks nice and trendy. LOVE the flip flops! Don't think I would go hiking in them. Well, they did it with class!

    The only fashion thing that bugs me is, "the shirt under a shirt". This is for both girls and boys. WHY?? Last summer at the Bates the little boys were wearing 2 shirts. WHY?? The girls tend to wear shirts under blouses...that aren't even low or V-neck. WHY?? I can understand that some tops are cut low but others are just below the chin. And it's not just the Duggars. I have a problem with tons of layers on anyone. I just feel like they are hot and sweaty for some reason. At least the Muslim ladies around here wear light colors during the spring and summer. It makes them look cooler and not weighted down by clothes.

    I got a feeling the Duggars shop in clearance sections. You can get great name brand items in clearance. Once bought a $100 coat...for $25. Well, it was in July and on winter clearance!

    Again everyone looks nice!

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  3. there is nothing wrong with a career especially if it puts food on the table. Sometimes us women have to see where we can go. Careers arent for all women and neither is SAH. We need women teachers, lawyers, and doctors.I cant see men any more polite toward women with skirts. We should be polite no matter a persons style. I prefer skin covered too but it need not be 1800 style.I wear shorts and t tops in the summer which would perhaps get Nike form the Duggars but they are very modest. The Duggars oculdnt keep them in denim jumpers for ever lol

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  4. Honestly, I'm glad Anna hasn't been able to perm her hair. It always looked kind of "crunchy". I think the straight hair suits her much better since she seems to have thin or fine hair anyway. The Duggar girls (and Anna) are all lucky to have such natural beauty that doesn't require much makeup, etc. Personally ... I look like a billy goat without my makeup on, lol.

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  5. Angie--I can give a bit of insight into the shirt under the blouse...the girls in my temple do it, because Chassidum have to wear longsleeves no matter what the weather, but they do wear modern clothing, so they buy plain "tight" long sleeve shirts to wear under whatever modern shortsleeve blouses they like...i agree it doesn't always look as good as it should, but that's what's allowed...i do it too--it's how i wear t-shirts (i love to wear t-shirts from hard rock cafe--where we had our wedding reception so we go to as many as we can all over the world) and other funny t-shirts from our travels as well...and polo shirts...i also do it with short sleeved dresses....it's not always the best fashion look, but it's what's allowed....

    I don't know why the Duggars are doing it--they've always worn short-sleeves before, but Michelle has said that the girls have opted for more modest clothing than she would choose--so that could be it?? it also could be weather related....

    As for boys, Michelle said a long time ago that she dislikes t-shirts for boys which was why when thrift-shopping she looks for golf shirts (polos) with button necks...my guess is that as they've gotten older she's letting them choose their own clothing (as she should once they get to a certain age)...and the only thing I can guess for the shirt under a shirt is weather...it could be cold

    Another thing is that the long-sleeve under a t-shirt was in fashion for awhile for boys...it was a skater look that was hip...they could have been copying that...who knows? It was popular for awhile when i was in high school 23 some odd years ago and again when i was in college...it comes around every 7-8 yrs i think....but my guess is it may have been weather?

    For girls I think it's a modesty thing, I know it doesn't always look as good as you want it to, believe me I know, I deal with it all the time--i live with it everyday in my own religion--but if you want to wear the short sleeve blouse, that's how you have to wear it. Why they are doing it, they could be going more modest or it's cold....

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  6. Anon--you've made a great point...my mom is here right now taking care of me post-surgery and we had a great discussion about SAH vs. career...she chose to work because she wanted to, not because she had to...i personally don't want to work--i was raised to be a princess hahaha (yes that's a joke) and frankly i just hate having a job...i usually end up getting fired...I like being at home...my mom didn't....it all worked out :) we also talked about clothing..it's hilarious because she has never been happy with my clothing either...she hated it when i wore mini-skirts and tight pants...now that i'm dressing modest she hates that too...she wants me to wear pants...i flat out told her "you'll never be happy with what i wear will you?" and she said "no, but i love you"...and we laughed....i think it's a mother thing :) No, I don't dress like laura ingalls..my favourite t-shirt is from again, the hard rock cafe...and one that's ac/dc...i also have a few from a store in London, FCUK...but I can only wear those when I'm pregnant because they are a bit tight...so i need the belly to show off...so talk about modern, yes I'm very modern, but my skirts drag the ground--usually because my waist is a 1x and i'm only 5' tall...

    I also cover my hair with scarves...matching whatever i am wearing that day...sometimes i wear a snood from israel, but usually a scarf :) but my hair reaches my behind...i don't wear a wig like most Chassidic women, because my hair would MAKE a wig so that just seems wrong...and you can't use your own hair to make your own wig so forget it! i'll wear scarves :)

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  7. I don't know if it's exactly a fashion answer, but I've noticed Michelle's hair has gotten a little more modern. She's not rockin' those 80's bangs anymore. I like that the (older)girls have started wearing knee length and mid-calf length skirts. I also like that they (are allowed to) wear leggings under the skirts. Although it seems that if they chose to wear pants they could, they've just always worn skirts so they're used to it.

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  8. Marybeth- diverting from the topic a bit, i read an article I'll search the net and see if I can find it, about the irony of Chassidim wearing a wig. The writer's point was basically that some of the wigs were nicer than their actual hair which in her opinion sort of killed the point of why women covered their hair in the first place.

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  9. Thanks MaryBeth. I feel your sweat! Yes, I remember Michelle saying the polo shirts don't wrinkle easy. But...why do they wear another shirt underneath? They are little boys and it gets HOT in AK & TN. Layers are fine during the winter. I would love to see those little guys in some shorts one day. :)

    I have a feeling the girls do it for modest reasons but a lot of their blouses aren't even all that low cut. But all wear very pretty clothes. Where do they get all those denim skirts?? I LOVE denim!

    MaryBeth, where do you get your scarves? I like wearing mine around my neck. Use to wear them to cover "love marks" but now it's just for fashion. :)

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    1. I am in the midst of a modest "makeover", and I am looking for nice, yet casual tops. Does anyone know where the Duggar girls get their tops, particularly the short-sleeved turtlenecks and the ones with the twisted/braided necklines? I'd be most grateful!
      I think the girls wear the extra layer for modesty reasons. It's better to be safe than sorry- I don't think we as women fully realize what even a bit of the chest can do to a man, even if there is no cleavage.

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  10. Shira, actually I get that point--it hits me at home--about the wigs...the first time I went to my temple (I'm used to reform so I wasn't used to covering my hair) I wore a scarf and was a little annoyed that I was the only woman with a covered head--even the Rabbi's wife didn't have a covered head!....it wasn't until weeks later that I realized she was wearing a wig--I can usually spot a wig a mile away--but hers was so good it was unspotable, so natural! Because she spent BUCKS on it....and that's just it, Chassidic women are allowed to look good, they can get their nails done, etc, but only their husbands are allowed to see their hair--so they wear wigs--but they want to look good for their husbands in public, they want to be a reflection on their family, it's not about being "sexy" it's about looking presentable, worthy....showing that their husband is a good provider...that kind of thing--it comes from there, not from sexiness...but yes, some women do end up looking better with wigs than they would with their actual hair....

    I get my scarves wherever I can find them...I love Ross, World Market, and thrift stores...I've even found them at Wal-Mart and Target....and my mother's drawer! hahaha

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  11. Michelle definately looks better...she's not as pale, her hair looks better, and her clothes look better than she did in the early 1 hour specials. But they all look better. However, the boys don't look as good--they stopped wearing the little polo shirts and tan pants! hahaha they aren't dressed like little gentlemen anymore!

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  12. Just a question... why did you say no perms when breastfeeding or pregnant?

    It doesn't hurt the mother OR the breast milk.... I had perms through every pregnancy, and breast feeding... in fact they staid in the longest when I was pregnant or breast feeding... And the kids were fine.

    I think the girls have changed Michelle's hairdos... they are the ones tht cut hair and have been influening Michelle to do hers differently.

    As to the question "where do they get those blue jean skirts".... My guess is they make them, it's not hard to take men's jeans (.25-.50 at Salvation Army type stores) cut the down the seams and turn them into skirts. the other answer would be check your local Salvation Army, or other type stores where people donate clothes to the homeless and they sell them (different names different places) you will find them there in abundance, and they wear almost forever...

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  13. One of the ways celeb watchers and paparazzi watchers check out what stars are possibly pregnant--is by watching their roots--when they aren't getting touch-ups--you aren't supposed to get your hair coloured when you're pregnant and breast-feeding...i just assumed, and maybe incorrectly that you shouldn't get perms either since the chemicals are just as smelly and foul in perms as they are with colours...

    anyway, that's where i got it :)

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  14. Some say that any hair process that touches the skin should be avoided during pregnancy and childbirth in case the chemicals leach through your skin. Also - I have a friend who has her own salon and she refuses to do any chemical processes on a pregnant woman bc all the hormones in your system cause your hair to do wacky things and you can not predict how the hair will react to the chemicals.

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  15. Ahhhhhh that's because most of the time they fall out because your hair is growing faster...

    Mine grew thicker (go figure) and they would hold for months and months vs getting them non pregnant they don't last in my hair a month...

    LOL I was never a normal preg.... I get preg and LOSE 40 lbs in the first 3 months then spend the next 6 gaining most of it back... drove my obgyns batty... when I gave birth I as always back to my pre-pregnancy weight in 24 hours... (not something to tend to want to share with other nursing mothers if you know what I mean lmao)

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  16. Yeah, that's what I meant--no process that touches the skin--so anyone like me who reads Perezhilton.com knows what stars are pregnant first because they've let their roots go hahaha....and i LOVED being pregnant...my nails were amazing! I already have hair to my rear and it's thick and curly (typical Jew-fro) but pregnant it was phenomenal, and i wasn't covering it then so i felt gorgeous!!

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  17. Ahhh But Melissa I never LOOKED pregnant, and I knew that had those stupid issues so I never told them...

    As I stated it never harmed the kids, an it was the few times I could enjoy a perm and a coloring job that would actually last. ;)

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  18. Denim Jumpers????? Urm are we talking about a jumper made from jean type denim.... am I missing something. Marybeth please tell me this is an American/UK language thing because i can't think of anything more uncomfortable. Jumpers should be made of wool, or fleece perhaps or sweatshirt material. I already smother a giggle when i see the clothes they wore in the early shows (in a nice way) but I'm sure I never saw a denim jumper :)

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  19. Chris...in the US a sweater or sweatshirt is what the UK calls a "jumper"....the US calls a jumper overalls but in dress form...kind of like plain denim laterhosen? i can't think of what the UK would call them and my husband isn't home! but when we were living in london and she was a baby i put overalls on her and he called them laterhosen (i know i'm spelling that wrong but German) i hope that makes sense :)

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  20. ohhhhh I get it - well that's one language difference I hadn't come accross before. In the Uk we may well call that type of dress a pinafore dress and for trousers dungarees.
    Thank you Marybeth :)

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  21. Personally, I have always loved the long sleeved shirt under a short sleeved shirt... but I was about a bit of a tomboy growing up, and so i tended to take after the skater fashions of late 0s etc. i still do it now when its cooler out because it adds a bit of style rather than wearing a plain long sleeved skirt (especially when the ones with designs i like are often a good bit more than i can afford and walmart has the plain stuff for around 5 bucks). but some of my blouses are a bit more stylish so i put them on over the long sleeved.

    i love in florida though, and its REALLY hot. so i dont do that in summer. in summer i wear camisoles under almost EVERYTHING. i've seen some of the duggars in a fashion similar. where they are wearing short sleeves, but you cansee a camisole peaking out that is almost to their collarbone (they sell them at modest clothing sites like www.shadeclothing.com)and they come up higher than what you can buy in a regular store.

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  22. To answer Angie's questions about layers. It is the fashion. Layering is very much in style, for teens at least. (I am 15). And whoever asked about the jean skirts, I too am skirts only, and I find them just about everywhere. Mostly, I find them in great abundance at thrift stores. =). I'm wearing one now that my friend gave me and she got it at Target. You just have to look. =)

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  23. I find your blog very interesting enjoy reading it a lot. What I would really like to see is maybe one or two blogs about your religion and its customs and a little history. I just love learning about other cultures and subculture (one of the reasons why I'm into the duggars), and I think it would give your readers some more insight as to where your views come from and why. Thanks!

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  24. thank you Teal....i do try to weave in my Jewish traditions in with the Duggar stuff as a compare/contrast as I write...most of the articles have a reference to the way *I* do it vs. the way they do it, or how we do it the same way...but thank you :) i'll keep that in mind now for future posts :)

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  25. Hey Brooke! :) Yes I have noticed all the teens wearing layers to be trendy. But I have noticed the Duggar girls wearing extra tops under blouses that are NOT v-neck or even showing the chest. I have noticed in past episodes from other seasons, that they were wearing blouses with no layers. Then all of a sudden the layers are everywhere.

    I heard they watch their shows on dvd. Maybe they thought their lower necks were too visible. Well, for the most part, I really adore their modest-modern clothes. LOVE the denim skirts!

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  26. Angie...I was thinking about your question the other night as we were driving to Temple..when we lived in the UK in 2007 it was all the rage to wear long-sleeved shirts under short-sleeved ones, no matter how it looked (believe me no matter how it looked!) with tight jeans and tight skirts....(don't get me started on those stupid ballerina flats) ....anyway, they say that fashion takes about 2-3 years to get from the UK to the US...so that's about right for the Duggars to start wearing the long-sleeves under their short-sleeves, just like Brooke said--it's fashion...my guess is they don't read fashion mags, or check up on the latest teen news, it's only what they see other kids wearing when they are "out and about"....so they just wear what they have and that's just what it looks like, you know? My Rabbi's kids do it because they have to and it doesn't always look fabulous, but I don't think they're doing it for modesty's sake, because as you said, they used to wear short-sleeves...and in some recent interviews they have been wearing short sleeves again....

    i did ask where they got their jean skirts and they said Marshall's and TJ Maxx...my problem is i'm not thin enough for them hahaha they are! So the cute ones come in smaller sizes :)

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  27. They are probably wearing the layers because the shirts are too tight or see-through. I almost always wear a tank top under shirts that I wear because you can either see my bra or the outline through it otherwise. I know from the episodes and also reading about other families who are part of ATI/IBLP, they do not want even their collarbones to show. So, they usually wear a shirt underneath that comes up to the base of their neck or just below it. They also don't like the tops of their arms to show, so they may wear a slightly longer sleeved shirt underneath. Personally, I think they all look very pretty. I love their clothes. However, it is 100 degrees (F) today in Springdale where they live and I just think they must be so hot wearing all those layers!! Especially the boys in their long pants. At least the girls have skirts on and all us women know that skirts are usually cooler than long pants (especially denim!) in the summer.

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  28. I understand the heat issue...i live in central california where it is over 100 degrees every single day all summer long...venturing up to 115 some summers....and i am still wearing the long sleeves and long skirts and a head covering...it's not always the most comfortable, but when weighed against what i'd be giving up if i did dress a bit cooler, it hasn't been worth the exchange...i do have summer weight clothes...i wear lighter weight skirts and i have a collection of shirts with 3/4 sleeves that are lighter weight...i also have head scarves that are cotton and breathe...so you make your adjustments...as i'm sure the Duggars do as well :)

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  29. I recently saw something while searching online for modest clothing ideas. There are long sleeve and 3/4 length shorts that come to just under the bust. That way you aren't covering everything with bulky layers in summer. also, they were made of a material commonly used in athletic clothes. It helps wick away moisture sweat and even heat(supposedly) away from your body so you remain cool. I don't remember the site but I thought it was a really nifty idea!!

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  30. I dress like the Duggars, they wear layers probably because of weather conditions, as well as hiding there undergarments so they won't poke through the fabric. Because sometimes you can see the outline of a bra through a shirt...layers are important!

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  31. The shirt under a blouse is likely peace of mind in being modest.
    We do not want to see the outline of the bra through the blouse's fabric. If wearing a sleeveless top, the sides and straps of the bra must not show. The strapz must never slide down and show on the upper arm. So, with a T-shirt underneath a blouse, you got it covered, literally.

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  32. Their dress has changed as a result of being on tv and out in the world a bit more. The ministry they originally followed 100% advocates certain hairstyles for women, certain styles of clothes for both sexes and certian patterns and colors. For example, males don't wear denim only cloth pants and solid color polos or dress shirts no t-shirts as outer shirts. Women don't wear denim either, cloth dresses or jumpers. I don't believe they were open shoes.

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