What do wives of Christian ministers do when they get together, other than talk (obvs)? Last week at Hothorpe Hall we managed to take in some great bible teaching, pray together, swap tips for local church ministry and still had time to walk in the Spring sunshine (some of round fields, others between charity and coffee shops in Market Harborough). Er, and there was eating and a frock swap and crafty type things.
I also took time to assess the important question of what Vicar’s wives are wearing. A while ago I blogged on this and thought I would revisit it when I observed this year’s trends. So I am able to share with you that the current Vicarage/Manse look is likely to include one or more of the following:
- Long boots with skinny jeans or leggings (very popular)
- Converse sneakers (when boots don’t quite work)
- Long sleeved t-shirt worn under short sleeve tunic or similar
- Scarves are definitely in (possibly in place of necklaces, which were less in evidence than previously)
- Fewer gilets this year (perhaps because of the milder weather, or people had remembered that the conference centre is about 20 degrees warmer than our houses).
Some of the essentials for this year's must-have Vicar's wife outfit
The enjoyable frock swap run by Frock Chick Hilary Nicholls was a fun way for us to get rid of not-quite-right-for-me clothes – the wide-legged jeans and short boots etc. We were able to get new clothes ourselves and also think about whether such a thing would work as a women’s event back home. I’m not sure a clothes swap would work here (our women are probably too diverse in age and fashion sense), but I think an accessories one would. Seems like a fun option for an evangelistic event at church – just add refreshments and a short talk and you’re done.
The Vicar's Wife 
I’m going to a clergy spouses day on saturday – I’ll see what they are wearing – though my guess is our group will have a much wider age spread, with the majority of us in our 50s and 60s…my guess is that skinny jeans or leggings will be rare as hen’s teeth, and only the mums of resident teenage daughters will know what converse trainers are.
(What are converse trainers??)
More skinny jeans at the New Wine Women and Leadership event, I have to say, where there were a good number of women in their 20s and 30s, not just us old dears!
Oh that I looked like that! At 57 I think jeggings are out but my cycling leggings look much the same! In the wilds of the highlands here it’s jeans trainers and fleeces. Even on Sunday. I sometimes fantasise about wearing a nice dress in “summer”, but the midges would eat me alive. C’est la vie!
Interesting Jenni – I too am 57, and I don’t think one single piece of that outfit would suit me, nor do I wish it would. I’ve only ever worn leggings to do exercise in (and nip to Tesco before getting round to it). It’s taken most of my life, but I’m reasonably happy with how I dress now, and spend less time stressing about what others might wear. It could be connected with being back in my home environment, where I fit in in other ways….
The ‘class’ comment on Facebook – that most Vicar’s wives look middle class – I’m not sure it applies here. Is it Home Counties vicar’s wives who fit this bill?
I do think most Vicar’s wives are middle class Chris. In fact, I was once told that Christianity is inherently middle class due to a phenomenon called ‘redemption and lift’. This is because people who come to faith take on what we call middle class values – valuing reading & education, hard work and rejecting gambling, a spendthrift lifestyle etc.
Doesn’t mean all clergy wives have to dress in Boden, tho’!
No – I agree, but i think there’s a dress code within the M25 and just outside that might not spread geographically all the way round England Which is not the same thing as saying Northerners don’t know how to dress…
Update – 2 of the 20 were indeed wearing skinny jeans…other than that, nothing ….only one pair of long boots and they had flat heels. Guess God’s put me in the right part of the world!!
Chris B – my mind is boggling. Skinny jeans and nothing! Not warm enough for that here.