What are polygamous definition of proper clothing?

Answer 1

This depends on what polygamous group you are referring to.

The FLDS church has very conservative clothing standards. For the most part, the women make their own dresses which must have a high neck, long sleeves, floor length skirt, and not be form fitting. They generally wear either dark colors (navy, black, hunter green) or pastels and no patterns. They will also often wear thick tights or pants under the dresses to keep the legs covered in case the wind picks up. The men wear jeans or dress pants and long sleeve buttoned shirts. (A link to the FLDS clothing store is below, for examples of their dress standards.)

The Centennial Park polygamous group has less strict standards but is still very conservative. The women wear store bought or homemade clothing which consists of a long skirt or dress and a long sleeve shirt. The color scheme is generally less plain and clothing can be more form fitting and modern. The men dress similarly to the FLDS.

Other polygamous groups such as The Work, the Co-op, the True Living Church, and the Apostolic United Bretheren and independent polygamists have various clothing standards which generally include knee or floor length skirts and short or long sleeve shirts for the women (usually no tank-tops). In some groups the women may also wear pants. Some also practice headcovering, similar to conservative Mennonite and Bretheren groups. The men generally dress like any other man today. These groups are more 'modern' in appearance than the FLDS.

Other polygamous groups also exist, especially in some African and Muslim countries. Their standards of dress are dictated by their local culture and religion as well. (for Example, Muslim polygamist women will generally dress in long sleeve loose dresses with their hair covered)

For the most part, these groups try to dress modestly and conservatively because they believe that since the body is made by God, it is sacred, and should not be exposed or defiled.