Random Rules You Had No Idea Amish Women Are Supposed To Follow (14 items)

(#5) Their Wedding Dresses Aren't White

While white wedding dresses remain popular in much of the world, things are a little bit different when it comes to Amish culture. Instead of appearing clad in virginal white at their wedding, Amish women often prefer to wear hues of blue and indigo for their special day.

Amish women also tend to make their own dresses, which are plainly designed and end at the calf, along with the dresses of the bridesmaids, who are known as "newehockers."

Because of the practicality of an Amish woman's wedding dress, they often get worn again, especially for attending church. They may even be worn after death, as many Amish women get buried in their wedding dress.
(#14) They Are Required To Wear Certain Hem Lengths

Though it can vary from community to community - and age can also be a factor - most Amish women's hems must conform to a certain length. Generally, that means no higher than calf length.
(#1) They Rarely Receive A Higher Education

For both Amish men and women, formal education stops after eighth grade. Amish men may receive further education through learning agriculture practices on a farm, or by becoming an apprentice at a shop. Men typically learn a trade, since they are expected to provide for their families.

For women, they may go on to become teachers after the eighth grade, but are required to give up the job once married. For most Amish women, they largely concentrate on domestic matters once school ends.
(#12) They Can't Become Preachers Or Other Church Officials

Amish women generally don't take positions of power and leadership within the church. Because they follow the teachings of the Bible so exactly, women's roles remain very clearly defined in relation to men, especially their husbands.

As Amish tour guide Lester Beachy puts it: "In the eyes of God, both male and female have the same value. It is simply that we have different roles to fulfill."
(#6) They Rarely - If Ever - Wear Makeup

The Amish consider themselves "plain" people; the term serves as a point of pride. This means their appearance lacks anything flashy, so Amish women typically don't wear makeup.
(#4) They Aren't Supposed To Cut Their Hair

Amish women can go their entire lives without getting a haircut, due to a literal interpretation of the Bible which deems it a "shame" for a woman to get shorn. Instead, an Amish woman grows her hair long and puts it in a bun under the prayer covering on her head.

Similarly, Amish men are not allowed to shave their beards after marriage.