MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I don't get it! Yes, I've heard it all before and it just doesn't FIT in my experience. NYT: " the “denim jumper†crowd " I homeschooled my boys for 11 yrs and I don't remember seeing denim jumpers on any of the women. Maybe it's my area or the type of homeschoolers I hung with? I haven't homeschooled for several years now, but it still bugs me - denim jumper - UGH! I tell everyone all the time, homeschoolers are JUST like any other large group - highly diverse! :thumbup1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DianeW88 Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Well, it was *the* uniform for homeschooling moms in the early 1990s. I think that's where the stereotype comes from. When I attended homeschooling conferences back then...those things were EVERYWHERE. Except on me. LOL Fortunately, as homeschooling has grown more diverse over the years, so have homeschooling mom fashions. I haven't seen a denim jumper at a convention in years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I don't think it means to refer to literally wearing a denim jumper. It is more referring to a specific mindset. And yes, homeschooling is increasingly diverse, but it seems to be more conservative and fundamentalist than what might be considered average. Hence, homeschooling conferences that have little to nothing to do with education or the difficulty in finding quality secular materials that aren't cast off textbooks. For much of the mainstream secular world, that idea, of homeschoolers all being YEC or creationist or funamentalist, if they even think of it, at all is what comes to mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readwithem Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I've seen lots of them at homeschool conferences. But I've only been to those in a very large city - maybe they attract a more diverse homeschool crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 While I do not own one and never have, it is very common amongst the homeschoolers in my area. So, it does happen in some places! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirth Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I kind of skimmed the other thread but truthfully am still not clear what a jumper is. It's not a sweater. Are they overalls? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I kind of skimmed the other thread but truthfully am still not clear what a jumper is. It's not a sweater. Are they overalls? No, they are pinafores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 A jumper is like a denim overall skirt---it has the bib and straps but is a skirt instead of pants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trulycrabby Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 There are still quite a few where I live... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 You may have worn one when you were pregnant. It's a sleeveless, scoop-neck dress designed to be worn over a shirt. Very handy for covering up the preggo belly that sticks out beneath non-maternity tops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 The one and only time I attended a state homeschooling convention, the vendor hall was filled with long skirts and denim jumpers. Outside of that, I've never found that to be common among homeschoolers. Two women in our local group wore head coverings and long skirts/dresses, and I think they went to the same church. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Smith Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I just looked up pictures of Denim jumpers. My Mom had one, it what was likely the 90s. She wasn't a homeschooler, and likely had never even heard of homeschooling. The reason I remember it was it had snap buttons from top to bottom at the front. So you could grab each side of the dress and rip it open. She didn't wear it much, but got a hoot of ripping it open when least expected. (If around company she would wear her swimsuit underneath) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigomama Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I have never seen a homeschool mom wear one, in the 5 years I have been homeschooling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I don't think it means to refer to literally wearing a denim jumper. It is more referring to a specific mindset. I'm not so sure about that. Depending on where you live, you may still see a lot of women dressing that way. I attended the ENOCH convention in around 2005 or so, and my dh and I felt like we'd walked into another world when we saw how some of the moms were dressed. Not all of them, but enough to make us take notice. And it wasn't just jumpers, but Little House on the Prairie, too. And ENOCH is in New Jersey, where denim jumpers and the Laura Ingalls look aren't exactly the norm. So you just never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 We've had one family visit our church who wears the denim jumpers or matching prairie dresses. I find their attitudes more distressing than their clothes. Clothes themselves are a non-issue for me. Wear what you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wabi Sabi Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 It isn't necessarily meant to be taken literally, IMO. It's a way to generalize a specific subset of homeschooler. A denim jumper homeschool mom may or may not actually wear a denim jumper, just as a more Birkenstock kind of homeschool mom may not literally have a pair of clunky sandals on her feet and may or may not actually live in a yurt. I use both terms in a sort of tongue-in-cheek kind of way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KatieJ Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I don't think it means to refer to literally wearing a denim jumper. It is more referring to a specific mindset. And yes, homeschooling is increasingly diverse, but it seems to be more conservative and fundamentalist than what might be considered average. Hence, homeschooling conferences that have little to nothing to do with education or the difficulty in finding quality secular materials that aren't cast off textbooks. For much of the mainstream secular world, that idea, of homeschoolers all being YEC or creationist or funamentalist, if they even think of it, at all is what comes to mind. It isn't necessarily meant to be taken literally, IMO. It's a way to generalize a specific subset of homeschooler. A denim jumper homeschool mom may or may not actually wear a denim jumper, just as a more Birkenstock kind of homeschool mom may not literally have a pair of clunky sandals on her feet and may or may not actually live in a yurt. I use both terms in a sort of tongue-in-cheek kind of way. When I started homeschooling in 1993 there were lots and lots of denim jumpers. Denim jumper, tennis shoes and white socks were a dead giveaway if you saw a homeschool Mom out and about during the day. Say at the dentist or doctor's office. When I moved 18 years ago and went to my first homeschool support group meeting here, well, I was told later they did not know what to make of us as my daughter had on pants, wool sweater and clogs. Seriously. She was wearing her grandmother's hand me down wool sweater zipped all the way up. Nothing immodest about it. But she was not wearing a skirt and they were all very leary of us! I don't know what I wore, but I know it was not a denim jumper. The person who told me that story is still my friend. Not many wear denim jumpers anymore. When I volunteer at homeschoole events, they are still a few out there. I think today it references a mindset, but they were a very real wardrobe item back in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I kind of skimmed the other thread but truthfully am still not clear what a jumper is. It's not a sweater. Are they overalls? This is the type of denim jumper whereof we speak: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I don't see denim jumpers, but I see what I think is the "updated" version--long (mid-calf to ankle length) twill or denim skirt, some sort of a top that covers the shoulders and maybe the elbows, tights, sensible shoes. It looks a lot like how the Duggars dress to me, if that makes sense. Because I see other women in long skirts/sleeves that don't have that religious/conservative/homeschool sort of look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplemom Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 You may have worn one when you were pregnant. It's a sleeveless, scoop-neck dress designed to be worn over a shirt. Very handy for covering up the preggo belly that sticks out beneath non-maternity tops. Funny, I had a denim jumper in the early 90's as a college student. I was not married, dating, homeschooling, or pregnant. Plus, I was skinny. I was in the line at the grocery store one time and the man in front of me in line kindly insisted I go ahead of him in line. I wasn't in a hurry and had more groceries than he did, so declined. Then he said, "Since you're carrying a baby, I insist you go first." How awquard for him when I said I wasn't pregnant. That's the last time I wore a denim jumper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 You may have worn one when you were pregnant. It's a sleeveless, scoop-neck dress designed to be worn over a shirt. Very handy for covering up the preggo belly that sticks out beneath non-maternity tops. Nope. I only wore pants when I was pregnant. I don't like shirts or dresses but do on a rare occasion wear a dress (usually a wedding). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 This is the type of denim jumper whereof we speak: Wow, now I know why I never wore one - NOT flattering! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeachyDoodle Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 This is the type of denim jumper whereof we speak: Every public school teacher I had through probably 8th grade had one of those... usually embellished with apples or pencils and rulers! :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I think today's equivalent would be the prairie dress a la Dugger-style. Granted I've only seen the show a handful of times, but prairie dresses? It seems like I've seen them more in long, straight or a-line skirts with a t-shirt or button down. At least the mom and the older girls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Wow, now I know why I never wore one - NOT flattering! This is what I'm saying. I'd look like the side of a barn in one of those! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 I think today's equivalent would be the prairie dress a la Dugger-style. Like the Mennonite's wear? I don't watch the Dugger's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Wow, now I know why I never wore one - NOT flattering! Not at all flattering, but when you're in that awkward late 1st trimester/early 2nd tri stage where your non-maternity clothes no longer fit but most maternity ones are too big, you'll take it. Though mine was black rather than denim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 In Southeastern Virginia, in the 90's, there were lots of denim jumpers, typically on homeschooling moms in single income families. They were inexpensive, easy to make, lasted forever, and could transition from pregnancy to nursing to coping with messy toddlers. Plus, you could wear them in any season with different tops underneath. It was just like any other kind of clothing that tends to define a group, it also gave you a sense of belonging, of not being alone in what you valued. Things have changed. I think a lot of moms got tired of that look or outgrew it as their families grew up. I haven't seen anyone dress like that in ages. I'm guessing that the daughters aren't particularly interested in dressing the way their mothers used to either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 This is what I'm saying. I'd look like the side of a barn in one of those! I agree. I would too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Every public school teacher I had through probably 8th grade had one of those... usually embellished with apples or pencils and rulers! :lol: LOL - maybe the homeschoolers thought they were wearing what a teacher should? I've never seen a teacher wear one of those, btw, but maybe I'm too old and (thankfully) missed that 'fashion' window... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 Things have changed. I think a lot of moms got tired of that look or outgrew it as their families grew up. I haven't seen anyone dress like that in ages. I'm guessing that the daughters aren't particularly interested in dressing the way their mothers used to either. So why is it still defining the homeschool look in 2014 (NYT)? :toetap05: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizabethB Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 My MIL has a denim jumper she still wears and is very supportive of homeschooling, so there may be some sort of connection here! I had denim overalls when I was pregnant, but I purchased them in France so that may or may not have some offsetting style points or something, LOL. They were fairly cute for maternity overalls. I do not own a denim jumper, and I always wear my skirt to the wrong things, I have a talent for that. I go to the CC meeting in a skirt because my last CC group were skirt wearing fools, the new CC group in a different state wears pants, I was the only one in a skirt. (We did CC for a few years when we were moving once a year, we no longer do CC.) I go to a skirt wearing group in my shortest pair of shorts, LOL. The one time I wore a skirt to the skirt wearing group, it was a picnic and I was the only one wearing a skirt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onceuponatime Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 So why is it still defining the homeschool look in 2014 (NYT)? :toetap05: I think it's just like any other stereotype, it's hard to eradicate. People like to hang on to labels as a common reference that other people will get, even if it is obsolete or unfair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbmamaz Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I was living on a commune when i had my first child, in the early 90s. I found a jumper of that same shape/style apparently made out of some sort of sack with printing on it. I LOVED that thing - it was very practical esp on the commune - where we had outhouses which were emptied twice a week, and we were encouraged to pee outside. Peeing outside is much easier when wearing a long skirt and going commando than it is when wearing pants or shorts. I could layer things under it in the winter, or not in the summer. i LOVED that thing. Then i left the commune, and recognized that it was just so far out of fashion that I got funny looks everywhere I went, so I sadly ditched it. I do still have a couple of drop-waist sundresses and sleeved dresses, because they are comfy - and my shape is hard to flatter anyways - very top-heavy and short . . . i cant wear empire dresses because the seam ends up across my chest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 I TOTALLY missed the poll yesterday and just saw it now about homeschool stereotypes: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/502137-so-poll-we-have-to-have-one-how-well-do-you-fit-into-hs-mom-sterotype-others/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mirth Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Thank you all for helping me understand. Can you imagine a small sketch of the photo, composed of dots, accompanying a dictionary entry of homeshooler? To me, a denim jumper correlates tightly with "uniform for trustworthy saleswoman of maple syrup and maple products." And now that I understand, it looks fine (if it's clean). True I wouldn't want one, but the canonical denim is better than a tight, 2 sizes too small, shredded Spandex jumper with no shirt underneath. (ala "Homeschoolers of Walmart"-wear) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Hmmm...I thought that's what they were called. Your description is correct, though. To me "prairie dress" is more evocative of what you see on the women and girls in polygamist compounds. Or what I see on Mennonite women in my area (I think they're Mennonite--they wear a white cap over their hair at the back of their heads), though some of them have short sleeves and hemlines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I wore them a few years back. They are the ultimate utility wear for skirt-wearing women.all-weather, sturdy, shapeless. I was just looking for some recently, but they seem to have gone out of style. I am admittedly a long skirts and bun wearing hippie, so, whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StaceyinLA Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 There are several moms in our small, rural home school group that wear these. In my experience it is more common amongst the moms who are more conservative and don't wear pants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFG Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Wow, now I know why I never wore one - NOT flattering! I think that was the point. But...they could be comfortable in a 'let it all hang' kind of way. I did not have anything quite so bland and shapeless but back in the day I did have more fitted jumpers with a little more styling to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 When I started homeschooling in 1993 there were lots and lots of denim jumpers. Denim jumper, tennis shoes and white socks were a dead giveaway if you saw a homeschool Mom out and about during the day. Say at the dentist or doctor's office. I was at the vet the other day and a woman & her two children came in with their dog. The kids were wearing pajamas. It was all I could do to stop myself from asking her if they were homeschoolers! Are pajamas the new jumpers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alef Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I've never seen a homeschool mom in a denim jumper. In fact, I think it's been at least to decades since I have seen any denim jumpers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Are we talking about these prairie dresses? http://www.commonsensepatterns.com/prairie_patterns.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 There are a lot of homeschool families who believe in skirts only(or most of the time) for girls. They are usually the ones wearing denim jumpers and other long skirts. At least in my experience. In the last 10 years homeschooling has become more diverse. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIch elle Posted January 24, 2014 Author Share Posted January 24, 2014 I was at the vet the other day and a woman & her two children came in with their dog. The kids were wearing pajamas. It was all I could do to stop myself from asking her if they were homeschoolers! Are pajamas the new jumpers? LOL! I hope NOT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 I used to wear jumpers all the time when I taught in public school. I was in my early 20s, and I wore it b/c it was comfortable and I could squat/bend over without giving a room full of 6 yr olds views of anything I prefer stayed covered. I also wore seasonally-themed necklaces. :D :D I tend to think of yoga/lounge pants as the new SAHM uniform. :p At least where I'm from... (I think of denim jumpers for the ultra-conservative religious crowd.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplemom Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 Before reading the above post, I was going to ask if I am a stereotypical homeschooler because I wear black yoga pants or loose knit pants most days. I like them because they are comfortable, easy to dress up or down, quick to put on, and go with T shirts or long sleeves equally well. Same reasons I liked the denim jumper in the early 90s till I got accused of being pregnant when I wasn't. So, as above poster mentioned, are lounge or yoga pants the new jumper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessAriel Posted January 24, 2014 Share Posted January 24, 2014 The LL Bean catalog was full of those kinds of jumpers and dresses back in the mid 1990's when I began homeschooling. And I will admit, I did have a couple of them that I wore for a couple of years. They were not inexpensive but they were comfortable. I got rid of mine long ago (only wore them for church, etc.,and I rarely wear any dress or skirt today). I haven't really seen many in years but there are still a few out there, though. I don't think home school moms were the only ones wearing them either. I kind of resent the stereotype but do understand how it got started! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts