Why Do They Dress That Way?

In this concise overview of ""plain'' clothing, Scott, author of Plain Buggies, discusses simple garments worn by the Amish and Mennonites, and mentions in passing other plain dressers, including Hasidic Jews, some Catholic nuns and Quakers, the few remaining Shakers and some Pentecostal groups. Scott relates the origins of plain clothing in North America and notes basic styles. For example, Amish men wear hats with wide brims, their shirts and broadfall pants have no pockets; Amish women always wear aprons. He also charts the changes made in plain clothing strictures. (Many Mennonite women used to wear black stockings, but don't now; Mennonite men no longer wear plain coats.) In the chapter called ``Path to Plainness,'' Scott tells of his decision to join the Old Order Brethen, which led to difficult situations because he had to begin dressing plainly while living in the Ohio suburbs and attending college. (November)