The Amish are known for their plain self-made and nonconformist lifestyle clothing.

Amish men and boys typically wear broad-brimmed black hats, dark-colored suits, straight-cut coats without lapels, broad fall pants, suspenders, solid-colored shirts, and black socks and shoes.

Amish women typically wear solid-color dresses with long sleeves and a full skirt, covered with a cape on the bodice. Some less conservative groups allow the women to wear short sleeved dresses but never sleeveless. Clothing is fastened with straight pins or snaps, stockings are black cotton and shoes are also black.

Amish life is governed by the “Ordnung,” a German word for order. The rules vary from community to community. According to the Young Center, “Most Amish groups forbid owning automobiles, tapping electricity from public utility lines, using self-propelled farm machinery, owning a television, radio, and computer, attending high school and college, joining the military, and initiating divorce.”

Wisconsin Amish communities include:

Cashton-The Cashton settlement is Wisconsin’s largest Amish community, with 13 church districts

Hillsboro-the Hillsboro Amish community in Vernon County numbers 8 districts

Wilton/Tomah-A sizeable Amish settlement is found in Monroe County near the towns of Wilton and Tomah

Medford-The Amish community at Medford in Taylor County is the oldest in Wisconsin

Clark County-Clark County is home to 5 separate Amish communities

Small Wisconsin Amish communities-Small Amish communities are found across the Badger State