Girls before garments (alternative title: Boys and blue bonnets)

“…go to my aunt, and ask her for my blue bodice and necklace. But no—”she said, stopping Jennet, for she recollected that she had directed the blue bodice because it matched her blue fillet, Everell’s gift, and a secret voice told her she had best, under existing circumstances, lay that favorite badge aside. “No, Jennet, bring me my pink bodice, and my ruby locket.” Jennet obeyed, but not without muttering as she left the room, a remonstrance against the vanities of dress (146).A collage portrayal of Hope Leslie's fashion options.

Apparently, the idea of "bros before hoes" existed even in early America.

In this passage from Sedgwick's Hope Leslie, we are given the idea that clothing can be a method of displaying love and faithfulness, but the refusal to wear a certain garment also demonstrates these feelings to others. When initially reviewing this passage, I, like Jennet, thought that Hope was being narcissistic and annoyingly picky about her appearance (perhaps a little aunt Grafton-esque, in other words). Of course, it would be odd for Hope to be overly concerned about her outward appearance being as lovely as possible. However, upon looking closely at the quote it is obvious that Hope's sudden desire to change her wardrobe is out of respect for her friend Esther. In this case, wearing Everell's gift of the "blue fillet" is Hope's silent declaration of her love for him. Of course, this concept is not something solely genuine in the world of Hope Leslie. I consider this to be similar to the cliche high school romance traditions of wearing your boyfriend's Letterman jacket or class ring. I myself fell habit of wearing a bracelet that an old boyfriend of mine had given me for Valentines day. To wear a certain clothing article from your beloved on a regular basis reaffirms the affections you have towards them. We can see this in the following quote:

“I tell Hope, one does not want always to see the same thing; and she doth continually wear it—granted, it keeps the curls out of her eyes, and they do look lovely falling about it, but she wears it, week-days and Sundays, feast days and fast days” (121).

In the eyes of her aunt, her persistent wearing of the headpiece is a fashion faux pas, though the reader may see this as Hope Leslie repeatedly and openly displaying her affections for Everell by flaunting his gift. But, as the first quote implies, it is important to hide the symbols of one's affections for the sake of a friendship. Knowing that her friend, Esther, also has romantic interests in Everell Fletcher, Hope decides not to wear the accessory that she associates with her beloved. From this gesture, we can see how truly devoted a friend Hope Leslie is. By passing up an opportunity to wear the blue fillet, Hope is not only acknowledging that she must wear a completely different outfit, but that her feelings for Everell must be hidden away with the headpiece for the good of her friendship.

You have to admire a girl for that. It is not easy to let go of a someone you are infatuated with because they are pursued by another. And it is not easy to let go of a prized article of clothing. (I to this day miss the pair of red canvas flats that my mom forced me to throw away once they got too battered.)