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omorkaOkay, so I've probably been reading too much about the Quiverfull movement and its various brethren among the hyper-conservative (by which I actually mean reactionary radical) fundamental and evangelical Christian sects. But one thing I keep noting over and over in the writings of escapees from these groups, especially ex-Quiverfull daughters, is the complaint that they were always cold in the winter because they weren't allowed to wear pants.
This confuses me every time I read it, because, while I am to some extent the exact opposite of what their modesty doctrines assume, I also don't wear pants, nor did the majority of women in Europe and the US until well into the century just past, and when I have problems with wintry gusts up my skirts, it's almost always because I failed to prepare adequately - generally wearing a skirt meant for a Houston spring in the winter and going barelegged underneath. It is entirely possible to deal with the weather of, say, Boston without bifurcated outer garments. And so, for the benefit of any modesty-doctrine girls (or just other skirt-lovers) who might stumble across this, I present: How Our Foremothers Didn't Freeze Their Kneecaps Off.
First: Underwear. I know, I know, you're trying to be modest and you don't want to think about it, or more to the point, your parents don't. But it's the layer everything else sits upon. Go with something close to the skin and breathable. If you can find them, I recommend underpants with a few inches of inseam, boyshorts or girlshorts rather than briefs. Old-style underwear tended to have a bit of leg and then a ruffle; I think that'a a bit much, but the idea is to cover the top of the thigh as well as the hip/crotch region.
Second: Don't go barelegged. It would have scandalized any grandmother back in the '40s or before to realize her granddaughters were running around with nothing on their legs; since then, the scales have slid in the other direction - leg coverings that aren't pants (or pantyhose worn solely for work, which are the most useless things ever) seem to be considered a little fetishy. I offer here three options, for parental units of varying levels of strictness and old-fashioned-hood.
2a) Tights. This is the exception to the panties-with-legs recommendation above; these work better with briefs with fairly high leg openings, at least on me. And yes, wear separate underwear, even if it looks dorky; no one's seeing it but you, anyway. In milder climates or in the fall, regular nylon tights will work fine; in mild but damp climates, cotton blends will breathe better; in cold areas, go for acrylic sweater tights or wool blends.
2b) Bloomers and stockings. Regular nylon thigh-highs will work; I prefer garter stockings in darker colors, but I get that you might not be able to get away with that. Bloomers cover the parts of your legs the stockings don't. I generally prefer the split-slip or culotte type, but there are patterns for the elastic-at-the-knee older style available, which those of you who are into sewing your own clothes might enjoy, too (and which might be warmer, if slightly less breathable).
2c) Long socks and leggings or bike shorts. Knee-highs and capri-length leggings are practically windproof, and the hem on the capris helps keep the socks up. I generally do over-the-knees and bike shorts, but that usually requires sock garters or a garter belt, again - if your parents are into historical authenticity, that might work for you, but otherwise that might strike them as too racy (although sock garters really aren't). This is great for knitters, as you can make your own socks out of the best materials for your area - wool for cold places, wool blends for places it doesn't snow much, acrylic for places it doesn't snow at all.
Third: Slip or petticoat. If you chose option 2a or 2c, you want a slip or half-slip; if 2b, a looser petticoat (or a crinoline, if you want to go really old-fashioned). It should be about 2" shorter than your skirt, so as not to show or pick up dirt. Cotton goes well with wool tights or socks, but other fabrics will work (although nylon on nylon, or wool on wool or silk, will have you shocking yourself every time you touch a doorknob).
Fourth: Skirts in the correct fabric. Sorry, ladies, but those feminine floral prints on cotton, or worse, poly-cotton blend, are too thin. You want denim, corduroy, heavy twill or gabardine, or a thick, fluffy knit. Pick acrylic, wool or wool blend, silk if you can afford it (I can't), or heavy 100% cotton. The wind goes right through polyester and rayon. Exception: cotton-poly blend sweatshirt fleece makes a comfy skirt, although it'll be a little warm indoors and possibly unflattering to your hips. I'm going to assume they're ankle-length or longer, since this is also a modesty thing for you, but in case anyone else is reading this: nothing shorter than calf-length unless you have industrial-strength wool socks.
Fifth: correct footwear. Now, I wear sandals when it's 30 degrees out, but I'm crazy; don't do that. Wear shoes that fit well, have thick enough soles to insulate you from cold ground, are reasonably weather resistant, and cover most of your foot. High-top sneakers work well, but if that's not demure enough for your folks, try to go for loafers or other slip-ons over shoes with straps - they generally expose more of the top of the foot. Have a pair of wellingtons or other wet-weather boots. Cold, wet feet mean a cold, wet you no matter how warm the rest of you is.
Sixth: Wear a hat. A real hat, not one of those silly headscarves, although feel free to wear the scarf under it. Here, I recommend wool even in relatively mild climates; it doesn't soak through easily and insulates at least a little even when wet. Knit toques or tam-o-shanters are great for hand-knitters.
There. You're now significantly better insulated against cold than a girl in just jeans and sneakers. Spread the word - modesty, or even just a preference for unbifurcated garments, does not mean freezing your tokhis off.
This confuses me every time I read it, because, while I am to some extent the exact opposite of what their modesty doctrines assume, I also don't wear pants, nor did the majority of women in Europe and the US until well into the century just past, and when I have problems with wintry gusts up my skirts, it's almost always because I failed to prepare adequately - generally wearing a skirt meant for a Houston spring in the winter and going barelegged underneath. It is entirely possible to deal with the weather of, say, Boston without bifurcated outer garments. And so, for the benefit of any modesty-doctrine girls (or just other skirt-lovers) who might stumble across this, I present: How Our Foremothers Didn't Freeze Their Kneecaps Off.
First: Underwear. I know, I know, you're trying to be modest and you don't want to think about it, or more to the point, your parents don't. But it's the layer everything else sits upon. Go with something close to the skin and breathable. If you can find them, I recommend underpants with a few inches of inseam, boyshorts or girlshorts rather than briefs. Old-style underwear tended to have a bit of leg and then a ruffle; I think that'a a bit much, but the idea is to cover the top of the thigh as well as the hip/crotch region.
Second: Don't go barelegged. It would have scandalized any grandmother back in the '40s or before to realize her granddaughters were running around with nothing on their legs; since then, the scales have slid in the other direction - leg coverings that aren't pants (or pantyhose worn solely for work, which are the most useless things ever) seem to be considered a little fetishy. I offer here three options, for parental units of varying levels of strictness and old-fashioned-hood.
2a) Tights. This is the exception to the panties-with-legs recommendation above; these work better with briefs with fairly high leg openings, at least on me. And yes, wear separate underwear, even if it looks dorky; no one's seeing it but you, anyway. In milder climates or in the fall, regular nylon tights will work fine; in mild but damp climates, cotton blends will breathe better; in cold areas, go for acrylic sweater tights or wool blends.
2b) Bloomers and stockings. Regular nylon thigh-highs will work; I prefer garter stockings in darker colors, but I get that you might not be able to get away with that. Bloomers cover the parts of your legs the stockings don't. I generally prefer the split-slip or culotte type, but there are patterns for the elastic-at-the-knee older style available, which those of you who are into sewing your own clothes might enjoy, too (and which might be warmer, if slightly less breathable).
2c) Long socks and leggings or bike shorts. Knee-highs and capri-length leggings are practically windproof, and the hem on the capris helps keep the socks up. I generally do over-the-knees and bike shorts, but that usually requires sock garters or a garter belt, again - if your parents are into historical authenticity, that might work for you, but otherwise that might strike them as too racy (although sock garters really aren't). This is great for knitters, as you can make your own socks out of the best materials for your area - wool for cold places, wool blends for places it doesn't snow much, acrylic for places it doesn't snow at all.
Third: Slip or petticoat. If you chose option 2a or 2c, you want a slip or half-slip; if 2b, a looser petticoat (or a crinoline, if you want to go really old-fashioned). It should be about 2" shorter than your skirt, so as not to show or pick up dirt. Cotton goes well with wool tights or socks, but other fabrics will work (although nylon on nylon, or wool on wool or silk, will have you shocking yourself every time you touch a doorknob).
Fourth: Skirts in the correct fabric. Sorry, ladies, but those feminine floral prints on cotton, or worse, poly-cotton blend, are too thin. You want denim, corduroy, heavy twill or gabardine, or a thick, fluffy knit. Pick acrylic, wool or wool blend, silk if you can afford it (I can't), or heavy 100% cotton. The wind goes right through polyester and rayon. Exception: cotton-poly blend sweatshirt fleece makes a comfy skirt, although it'll be a little warm indoors and possibly unflattering to your hips. I'm going to assume they're ankle-length or longer, since this is also a modesty thing for you, but in case anyone else is reading this: nothing shorter than calf-length unless you have industrial-strength wool socks.
Fifth: correct footwear. Now, I wear sandals when it's 30 degrees out, but I'm crazy; don't do that. Wear shoes that fit well, have thick enough soles to insulate you from cold ground, are reasonably weather resistant, and cover most of your foot. High-top sneakers work well, but if that's not demure enough for your folks, try to go for loafers or other slip-ons over shoes with straps - they generally expose more of the top of the foot. Have a pair of wellingtons or other wet-weather boots. Cold, wet feet mean a cold, wet you no matter how warm the rest of you is.
Sixth: Wear a hat. A real hat, not one of those silly headscarves, although feel free to wear the scarf under it. Here, I recommend wool even in relatively mild climates; it doesn't soak through easily and insulates at least a little even when wet. Knit toques or tam-o-shanters are great for hand-knitters.
There. You're now significantly better insulated against cold than a girl in just jeans and sneakers. Spread the word - modesty, or even just a preference for unbifurcated garments, does not mean freezing your tokhis off.
