Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Reform Dress Not to Be Revived

That she was concerned with giving life to certain principles and that the reform dress was only a means to an end, was made doubly evident by what she wrote in a letter in 1897 when some raised the question as to the advisability of a revival of the particular style of reform dress worn by Adventist women in the 1860’s: EGWC 158.1

“There were some things that made the reform dress a decided blessing. With it the ridiculous hoops, which were then the fashion, could not possibly be worn. The long dress skirts, trailing on the ground and sweeping up the filth of the streets, could not be patronized. But a more sensible style of dress has now been adopted, which does not embrace these objectionable features. The fashionable style of dress may be discarded, and should be by all who will read the word of God. The time spent in advocating the dress reform should be devoted to the study of the word of God. EGWC 158.2

“The dress of our people should be made most simple. The skirt and sacque I have mentioned may be used—not just that pattern and nothing else should be established; but a simple style, as was represented in that dress. EGWC 158.3

“Some have supposed that the very pattern given was the pattern that all were to adopt. This is not so. But something as simple as this would be the best we could adopt under the circumstances. No one precise style has been given me as the exact rule to guide all in their dress.... The Lord has not indicated that it is the duty of our sisters to go back to the reform dress. Simple dresses should be worn. Try your talent, my sisters, in this essential reform.”—Letter 19, 1897. EGWC 158.4

This statement in 1897 is wholly consistent with one she made in 1865 at the very beginning of the reform-dress program, as the reader will recall. In that initial statement she declared: EGWC 158.5

“If the world introduce a modest, convenient, and healthful mode of dress, which is in accordance with the Bible, it will not change our relation to God, or to the world to adopt such a style of dress.” EGWC 158.6