If you’ve ever noticed Amish people in their traditional clothing, you might have wondered about the absence of something most of us take for granted: buttons. This seemingly small detail actually tells a much bigger story about their beliefs and lifestyle. The Amish relationship with buttons isn’t just about fashion choices. It’s rooted in centuries-old traditions about humility, equality, and living simply. While some Amish communities have relaxed their stance on buttons over the years, many still prefer hooks and pins as fasteners instead.
Buttons represented military rank and aristocratic wealth
The Amish concern with buttons goes back to the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe. During this time, buttons weren’t just practical items for keeping clothes together. They were status symbols that showed off your place in society. Military officers wore elaborate buttons to display their rank, with the fanciest designs reserved for high-ranking officials. The more ornate your buttons, the more important you were considered to be. This association with hierarchy and power directly conflicted with Amish beliefs about equality among all people.
The European aristocracy took button decoration to another level entirely. Wealthy people wore buttons made from precious metals like gold and silver, often adorned with intricate designs that cost more than most common people earned in a year. These weren’t functional items anymore but jewelry pieces meant to separate the rich from everyone else. The Amish, who valued community and equality above individual status, saw these decorative buttons as symbols of vanity and excess. By rejecting buttons entirely, they made a statement about refusing to participate in a society obsessed with displaying wealth and power through clothing.
Simple fasteners align with biblical teachings about modesty
The Amish take their clothing choices seriously because they see them as reflections of their faith. Their interpretation of Christian teachings emphasizes inner virtue over outward appearance, which means avoiding anything that draws attention to individual style or status. Decorative buttons, even small ones, were seen as indulgences in pride and personal expression. Instead, the Amish focused on creating clothing that served its purpose without making a statement. This approach extends beyond just buttons to their entire dress code, which favors plain fabrics, simple cuts, and muted colors that help everyone blend into the community rather than stand out.
When Amish settlers came to America in the 18th century, they brought these clothing traditions with them. Their style was heavily influenced by European peasant clothing from that era, chosen specifically to keep everyone grounded in shared values. The simplicity served as a constant reminder that their commitment was to faith and community, not to fashion trends or material possessions. Every aspect of their dress became a way to demonstrate humility and avoid the worldliness they saw in mainstream society. This dedication to plainness continues today, with each generation passing down these values through their clothing choices.
Hooks and eyes became the preferred alternative
Instead of buttons, many Amish people use hooks and eyes to fasten their clothing. These small metal fasteners consist of a hook on one side of the garment and a corresponding loop or eye on the other side. They’re completely functional without any decorative element, which makes them perfect for Amish values. The hooks and eyes lie flat against the fabric and aren’t visible when the garment is closed, unlike buttons which can be seen and potentially decorated. This discrete fastening method has been passed down through generations and remains a staple in traditional Amish clothing today.
Some of the more conservative Amish communities prefer straight pins over hooks and eyes. While this might sound uncomfortable, it’s another way to ensure clothing remains completely plain and functional. Snaps are also acceptable in some communities, particularly on work jackets and children’s clothing where ease of use matters. These metal snaps provide security without any ornamental aspect. The choice of fastener often depends on the specific church district and their ordnung, the unwritten rules that govern daily life. What matters most is that whatever fastener is used serves its purpose without drawing attention or suggesting wealth.
Work clothes sometimes require practical exceptions
The Amish aren’t impractical people, and they recognize that certain work situations call for different clothing solutions. Men working in construction, farming, or carpentry often wear garments with buttons because these jobs require durable, secure fastenings that can withstand physical labor. A hook and eye might not hold up to the strain of heavy work the way a sturdy button can. In these cases, the buttons chosen are still simple and functional, nothing decorative or flashy. The Amish make these accommodations because they understand that practicality sometimes needs to take priority, especially when safety and effectiveness are involved.
Safety gear presents another situation where traditional dress codes get modified. Amish workers who need to wear reflective vests, hard hats, or specialized work clothing will use whatever fasteners those items come with, including buttons and zippers. Some communities have found that modern materials and safety equipment are necessary compromises for making a living in today’s world. These practical adaptations are carefully considered to ensure they align with community principles while still allowing people to work safely. The key is that these exceptions apply only to work situations, not to everyday or formal wear.
Children’s clothing often includes buttons for convenience
Parents in Amish communities face the same challenges as any other parents when it comes to dressing young children. Infants and toddlers need clothes that are easy to put on and take off, especially during diaper changes and frequent outfit switches. For this reason, many Amish communities allow buttons on children’s clothing as a practical necessity. These buttons are kept simple and functional, matching the fabric color to avoid drawing attention. The allowance recognizes that raising children requires some flexibility, and making life easier for parents helps the whole community function better.
As children grow older and become part of the church community, their clothing typically transitions to more traditional fastenings like hooks and eyes. This gradual shift helps teach children about their community’s values while still accommodating their developmental needs. The buttons used on children’s garments are never ornate or decorative, maintaining the overall commitment to simplicity even when making practical compromises. Special circumstances, such as health issues or physical disabilities that make traditional fasteners difficult to manage, may also warrant the use of buttons for individuals of any age within the community.
Different Amish groups have varying rules about buttons
The Amish aren’t one unified group with identical practices everywhere. Different communities, often called church districts, interpret their traditions in various ways. Old Order Amish tend to be the strictest about avoiding buttons, sticking closely to hooks, eyes, and pins. New Order Amish and other more progressive groups might allow buttons as long as they’re simple and functional. Geography plays a role too, communities in different regions adapt their practices based on local climate, work needs, and how much they interact with non-Amish neighbors. An Amish community in a more urban area might adopt slightly more lenient clothing rules compared to a rural, isolated settlement.
Each church district has its own ordnung that governs these details. What’s acceptable in one community might be frowned upon in another. Some New Order Amish families dress their children in clothing with buttons that match the fabric color perfectly, making them functional rather than decorative. The buttons blend in so well that they don’t draw attention or suggest vanity. This variety among Amish groups shows their ability to maintain core values while adapting to different contexts. The fundamental commitment to humility and simplicity remains constant, but the specific expression of those values can vary significantly from one community to another.
Velcro gets more acceptance than zippers
When it comes to modern fasteners, the Amish have different attitudes toward different options. Velcro has become generally acceptable in many Amish communities because it’s simple, functional, and not particularly associated with fancy clothing. You’ll find Velcro on various Amish garments, especially work clothes and items where convenience matters. It doesn’t make any statement about status or wealth, it just works. The quiet nature of Velcro also means it doesn’t draw attention the way a row of shiny buttons might. Many Amish appreciate that Velcro can be just as plain and modest as hooks and eyes.
Zippers, on the other hand, face more resistance in Amish communities. They’re generally frowned upon because they’re associated with fancier, more worldly clothing. As reported by various sources, many Amish communities ban both Velcro and zippers in favor of pins or hook-and-eye closures. However, some less conservative groups do use zippers on work jackets and boots where they provide clear practical benefits. The objection to zippers has more to do with tradition and their association with mainstream fashion than any strong theological reason. Still, most Amish would choose hooks and eyes or snaps over a zipper when given the option.
Wedding and formal attire follows strict plainness standards
You might think weddings and funerals would be occasions where the Amish relax their clothing rules, but the opposite is often true. These important ceremonies are times when the community’s values are most visible and important to uphold. Wedding clothes for both brides and grooms remain plain and simple, following all the usual dress code requirements. If buttons are used on formal attire, they’re chosen to be as inconspicuous as possible, matching the fabric color exactly. The goal is to mark the importance of the occasion through the solemnity and modesty of the clothing, not through decoration or fanciness.
Religious ceremonies and church gatherings hold profound importance in Amish life, and clothing reflects that significance. Even on these special occasions, the commitment to humility remains paramount. A bride’s dress might feature simple buttons, but they’ll have no decorative design whatsoever. The same applies to a groom’s suit or shirt. These clothing choices ensure that the focus stays on the spiritual meaning of the event rather than on individual appearance. The careful selection of even these small details shows how deeply the values of plainness and community are woven into every aspect of Amish life.
Traditional sewing methods preserve these customs
The way Amish people make their clothes is just as important as what fasteners they use. Many Amish women sew garments by hand or use treadle sewing machines, foot-powered devices that don’t require electricity. This manual approach to clothing construction has been passed down through generations, with mothers teaching daughters the proper techniques for attaching hooks and eyes, snaps, and when appropriate, buttons. The skill involved in creating these garments is considerable, requiring precision to ensure that fasteners are secure and functional while maintaining the garment’s plain appearance. This dedication to traditional methods ensures that clothing meets community standards for both modesty and durability.
The process of making Amish clothing starts with selecting appropriate fabrics, usually solid colors in muted tones like navy, black, gray, or dark green. The fabric must be durable enough for daily wear and work while remaining simple and unadorned. Once the garment is cut and sewn, attaching the fasteners becomes a careful process. Each hook and eye or snap must be positioned correctly and sewn securely by hand. This meticulous approach to clothing construction demonstrates a commitment to quality and tradition that extends far beyond just avoiding buttons. It’s about maintaining a way of life that values skill, community standards, and the passing down of knowledge from one generation to the next.
The Amish relationship with buttons reveals how a small detail can carry enormous meaning. What might seem like an odd quirk to outsiders is actually a thoughtful expression of deeply held values about humility, equality, and separation from worldly concerns. While practices vary among different Amish communities and some have relaxed their stance on buttons over time, the underlying commitment to simplicity remains constant. Whether they choose hooks and eyes, straight pins, snaps, or simple matched buttons, the Amish continue to use their clothing as a daily reminder of what matters most to them: faith, community, and living a life focused on substance rather than style.
