The Amish women's dress hasn't changed in three hundred years. Not backwardness — a decision.
Construction
Below knee (strict communities — ankle). Long sleeves. No neckline. Cape — triangular fabric piece covering the chest over the dress. Pinned on.
Why the Cape
Modesty: conceals figure. Practicality: removable, washes separately (gets dirty first). Nursing: convenient for feeding a baby without unfastening the dress.
Fabric and Colors
Cotton or poly-cotton blend (some communities allow). Solid — no patterns, prints, stripes. Colors: navy, burgundy, green, brown, black (for church). Bright colors — only for children.
Sewing
Every woman sews her own. One pattern for the whole community — passed from mother. 3-4 meters of fabric, one day's work. Each woman has 3-5 dresses: everyday, church, work.
Why It Doesn't Change
Fashion = vanity = sin. If everyone dresses the same — no envy, no competition, no rich and poor. A dress costs $5-10 in fabric. A brand dress — $100-500. The Amish save $490 and avoid sin. Rational.