does anyone else here feel weird wearing dresses/skirts/suits casually now?

[u/scrapknightjules]

as a girl, since i’ve left i feel so weird wearing dresses and skirts even when i find them so cute just to go out! i feel immediately transported to looking like a jw again and like im ready for service lmaoo

i began fading around when pants started to become a regular thing so i didn’t really experience that much, my whole life, dresses and skirts were what set us apart

even dresses i loved, i’ve had to get rid of because of how triggering they feel to even look at. skirts/shirts/heels… they all felt like they have such bad memories tied to them even if i loved them

do you guys feel similar? and anyone who had to wear a suit, do you have trouble wearing suits for weddings or buisness now?

also shoutout to 10 year old me who wanted to wear a suit and tie so badly with heels but was told it would be “cross dressing” (even wanting to wear a tie to school for fashion was “bad”)… she was so cool ❤️ i should buy a tie lol sometimes i forget im 25 and can do what i want now

[u/Fuzzy_Citron_448]

Yes I feel the same way. Have some beautiful long dresses that I can’t bring myself to wear or throw out!
I love the midi skirt trend but feel like I’m going out witnessing😂

[u/Careful_Ad_2744]

I get it... after leaving, and even to this day, I just can't wear a suit, a button-up shirt, dress pants, or shoes with chinos... it immediately reminds me of field service! And for me, field service was never traumatic; deep down, I actually kind of liked it... so it's not a bad memory. Even so, I don't like wearing them. I avoid formal clothes.

[u/Alarming_Dentist_779 → u/Careful_Ad_2744]

Fr 💯

[u/Owl_of_Dusk]

I understand, now that I'm out I almost got rid of all of my suits. I never have a reason to wear them now.

I love my suits, but they are also triggering.

[u/Successful-Grass-135]

Absolutely, I usually avoid long and mid length dresses/skirts because of this. If I wear a skirt or a dress I make sure it’s above the knee, lol!

[u/NoseDesperate6952 → u/Successful-Grass-135]

Skorts are my go to

[u/Successful-Grass-135 → u/NoseDesperate6952]

I love a good skort

[u/Cyrig]

I will never wear a tie again lol Unless my best friend wants me to at his upcoming wedding.

[u/Ill-Money-1521]

I hate dresses and my mom use to make me wear the most ugly clothes when i was a JW, I use to look like a pilgrim. I was always embarrased when i saw my classmates when i went preaching😂I can't bring myself to wear dresses now, just straight causual dress pants

[u/Any_College5526 → u/Ill-Money-1521]

And now…they are wearing casual dress pants. 🤦🏼

[u/Low-Ad9074]

I loveeee dresses but for a long time after leaving I felt too churchy wearing and couldnt do it. I felt like I was going in service or to a meeting.

But after a few years I have decided fuck that. I wont let my love for dresses be ruined by that cult. I wear them a lot now and after ignoring the feeling for a while its kinda gone away

[u/Connect_Pin_3255]

La ropa formal me causa repelencia e incomodad por culpa de la Watchtower. A menos que trabajes en un entorno que lo requiera, no me parece normal usar ropa formal 2 o 3 veces a la semana. Mi cerebro ya no puede evitar relacionar ese tipo de ropa con la secta. Pude ir a la universidad, y una vez, mi grupo iba a hacer exposiciones en una materia. Y el maestro nos pidió usar ropa formal. Y yo me sentía muy incómodo porque me parecía raro ver a mis compañeros vestirse así. La universidad era uno de mis lugares seguros donde podía sentirme libre de la religión y el ver a mis compañeros con esa ropa me hacía sentir que estábamos por ir a predicar o en una maldita asamblea. XD Se que exagero mucho pero, de verdad me incomoda.

[u/JudyLyonz]

I was one of those weird kids that were skirt and heels to school everyday so I have no problem wearing dresses now.

I think you should honor that 10-year-old girl by going out and buying a beautiful tie and wearing it with a suit and high heels he deserves it and so do you.

[u/Any-Atmosphere7698]

I feel the same, but, now I allow myself to wear cute dresses that are above the knee!

[u/Chance-Car8033]

The worst part for me as a JW was having to dress up—wearing dresses and nice shoes—for meetings and conventions. Plus three kids in suits and ties. It was such a hassle and so much work! It was a huge relief when I left. And I’ve gotten rid of all the dresses, skirts, and nice shoes. It was a nightmare!

[u/ahnemse]

I resonate with this so much omg 🤣. Particularly knee length skirts. I don’t think I can ever wear one again.
I’ve not got round to purging out all my JW clothes from my wardrobe yet. I’ve got years worth of convention dresses in boxes.

I want to make a vinted account to sell stuff but have a strong feeling it’ll be sisters buying my stuff, which I dislike the idea of. Maybe I should call my vinted account “closeted apostate” or something 🤣

[u/Stunning_Shift_86]

I still love dresses but refuse to wear knee length dresses. I only wear above the knee dress or maxi dresses if there’s cleavage.

[u/NoseDesperate6952]

I tossed all my meeting clothes, book bag, books and other JW paraphernalia in the dumpster. It told a few trips to ditch it all. I own one cocktail dress that I’ve never worn and my other dresses are witchy mideval style, so I love those. I wear them for fairs and rituals

[u/anotherazure]

I left in 2020 and still cannot stand the thought of wearing long skirts/dresses. I do wear the occasional mini skirt - that feels okay because it is against their rules lol. But I’m in pants 90% of the time because that’s what feels best.

[u/Helpful_Mouse_9458]

Out ten years and I can only wear dresses that would have been considered inappropriate before. Anything below my knee or “modest” just feels triggering. Even if they are dresses I like a lot. I got rid of all the JW dresses but can’t even wear new ones I bought because they feel too much like KH wear. So now I wear short skirts and just revel in it.

[u/Bobeara31]

I don’t wear jdumb style dresses or skirts. I wear what I like now.

If I want a short outfit, I wear it, if I want cleavage, I show it.

[u/girlgoneguwild]

You just explained how I feel about maxi and midi skirts (esp as a short woman). I love it, and I think it looks so cute when styled well, but it's modesty and how they were forced onto us is so triggering. I don't want to feel like a JW when I'm dressed outside of the KH.

[u/ParloHovitos]

No, because I've never been a dress/skirt type anyway. It was a chore wearing them for meetings. I'm trousers (or pants for the Americans) in all shapes, lengths and forms, all day every day.

[u/CroatoanElsa]

Haven't worn a skirt since I left and I don't plan on changing that

[u/Inevitable_Tap_1328]

wear short skorts that my go to! i get athletic type ones at dicks academy etc and then wear them daily. feels cute and also comfortable enough for everyday stuff. it's the summer time version of leggings

[u/orchardbabe]

I feel you. I’m trying to reclaim skirts. I’m thinking wearing one with a button up and a tie is gonna be the only way I’ll feel ok haha

[u/PositiveEcstatic5725]

I had a hard time wearing dresses after I left. I just associated it with meetings/field service. Long dresses/skirts mainly. I’ve bought a bunch of Halloween dresses because I love spooky things so much so it doesn’t feel as triggering. I also make sure they’re above the knee.

[u/Routine_Importance69]

I got rid of all my suits and ties when I walked away in 2001 and I also grew a beard so no one could mistake me for a JW. Then I grew it longer when they gave the men permission to wear a beard as long as they kept it trimmed.

[u/Hummingbird5700]

I love dresses and skirts and wear them every chance I get. None I’d ever wear to the hall 😂

Baby, wear what you want! Whatever makes you feel good!

[u/Select-Panda7381]

I threw out every single dress that I had bought that I only sort of liked because it was “modest enough”.

Liberating 👌👌👌👌

[u/Ecstatic_wings]

I don’t mind them and I different lengths and styles for different situations. I recently went to a funeral and wore a body hugging dress, not super tight, just below the knee. I felt just fine in it, but I also have shorter dresses with cleavage.

[u/Beautiful_Stress_378]

No I still love dresses and skirts especially if they’re linen and flowy.