Ellen Chat Conversation

In her personal life and travels, Ellen White frequently wore hats and bonnets for protection and practicality. She describes wearing a hat and cloak for short walks to visit others and mentions purchasing a neat, affordable hat for a family member (3MR 152.1), (3MR 154.4). During her travels, she sometimes used a shawl over her head for comfort while her hat was stored safely in a box (3MR 409.1). She also observed and noted the various styles of headcoverings worn by women in different cultures, such as the distinct provincial caps seen in Stockholm (HS 194.1).

While the wearing of a headcovering was a standard practice, the specific style and ornamentation were matters of spiritual concern. She cautioned against following worldly fashions that compromised modesty or simplicity. For instance, she noted that certain "small bonnets" of her time were problematic because they exposed the face and head in a way that lacked the modesty seen in ancient times (T05 7.1), (2SG 227.1), (1T 188.3). She expressed personal sadness when seeing church members adorn their bonnets with artificial flowers, costly ribbons, and showy bows, viewing such displays as a departure from Christian humility (1T 20.2). In the context of public worship, the design of a woman's hat carried practical implications for the congregation. She specifically advised against trimming hats with high-standing bows or ribbons, as these decorations were not only a needless expense but also a physical obstruction (BTS May 1, 1908, par. 6).

Such styles prevented others in the audience from seeing the speaker, thereby marring their enjoyment of the service and causing a disturbance to the minister (BTS May 1, 1908, par. 6). The overarching principle regarding headwear and dress was the avoidance of "towering feathers" and gaudy ornaments in favor of simplicity (HR November 1, 1871, par. 15). While men were instructed to remove their hats as a sign of reverence when entering the house of God, women were encouraged to ensure their headwear did not reflect a "vulgar taste" or an imitation of worldly trends that would blur the distinction between God's people and the world (3MR 234.4), (1T 188.3), (HR November 1, 1871, par. 15).

You might also want to explore:What did Ellen White teach about the principle of modesty in dress?How does the use of jewelry and ornaments affect one's spiritual life?What practical counsel did she give regarding reverence in the house of God?

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