The Influence of the “American Costume”

Mrs. White wrote also of the influence that might be exerted against Seventh-day Adventists were they to adopt this extreme form of dress, pointing out that they might be mistaken for spiritualists if they were to adopt it:SHM 124.1

“Some who believe the truth may think that it would be more healthful for the sisters to adopt the ‘American costume,’ yet if that mode of dress would cripple our influence among unbelievers so that we could not so readily gain access to them, we should by no means adopt it, though we suffered much in consequence. ...SHM 124.2

“Spiritualists have, to quite an extent, adopted this singular mode of dress. Seventh-day Adventists, who believe in the restoration of the gifts, are often branded as spiritualists. Let them adopt this costume, and their influence is dead. The people would place them on a level with spiritualists and would refuse to listen to them. ... There is a great work for us to do in the world, and God would not have us take a course to lessen or destroy our influence in the world.”—Ibid., 421, 422.SHM 124.3

Although the unfavorable features of the “American costume” were opened to Mrs. White and she wrote against the adoption of it by our sisters, yet she was equally clear regarding the objectionable features of the prevailing styles of dress and the need for reform. Her attention was directed to a medium position which our sisters should take, following neither the extreme mannish “American costume” nor the health-destroying, action-impeding, long, heavy dresses of the time. Introducing a call for reform, Mrs. White said:SHM 124.4

“We do not think it in accordance with our faith to dress in the ‘American costume,’ to wear hoops, or to go to an extreme in wearing long dresses which sweep the sidewalks and streets. If women would wear their dresses so as to clear the filth of the streets an inch or two, their dresses would be modest, and they would be kept clean much more easily, and would wear longer. Such a dress would be in accordance with our faith.”—Ibid., 424.SHM 124.5

“There is a medium position in these things. Oh, that we all might wisely find that position and keep it.”—Ibid., 425.SHM 125.1