Polygamist Fashion

I wonder how many of you saw the small article in The New York Times in early July, titled “Texas Ranch Moves from Raid Toward Runway,” in which the polygamist sect raided for alleged underage brides and child abuse announced that they were selling versions of their old-fashioned clothing online. Yes, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims that on the basis of overwhelming interest in their children’s garments, they are now marketing their various conservatively-styled outfits for sale.

In order to raise money, which their spokeswoman admitted was important to them, the sect has established a website, fldsdress.com. The clothes are variations of toddler’s suits, overalls, and dresses with and without bloomers. Colors seem to be “Easter egg” pastels. One thing not on offer, however, will be directions for creating the women’s distinctively retro hairstyles… Look in NYPL’s Digital Gallery under the subject hair dressing to get an idea of the time period these styles came from.

And the demise of the Liz Claiborne Inc. sponsored brand, Sigrid Olsen, leaves many people in the fashion and consumer world unsettled.