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Friday, September 7, 2018

Bates Gals in NYC

With only four weeks to go until Josie and Kelton tie the knot, some of the Bates ladies decided to take a trip to New York City to enjoy some girl time before the wedding. Among other sites, they have visited Times Square, Central Park, and the Empire State Building and have taken a double-decker bus tour of the city.

They may be small town folks, but the Bates have toured the Big Apple multiple times. Trace and Carlin were there with Crown College last fall, and Callie, Judson, and Kelly were there for Callie's birthday one month ago. New York City is also the setting of the season three finale of Bringing Up Bates, in which Nathan asks Ashley to begin a courtship. And if you have been following the Bates since the beginning, they traveled to New York to kick off United Bates of America, their short TLC reality series that aired in 2012.

Have you ever been to NYC?

Carlin Bates, Whitney Bates, Josie Bates
Carlin Bates, Whitney Bates, Josie Bates

Photo courtesy of Zach and Whitney Bates

117 comments:

  1. I love NYC! I live in NJ in a town right on the train line, so I take the train in several times a year. I am actually going into the city next weekend. My dad is also originally from NYC.

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  2. Do they know its Fashion Week in New York.

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    1. They probably had front row sests.

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    2. Maybe that's why they went. The girls do seem to like fashion.

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  3. Congrats Josie and Kelton! Congrats Nathan on your courtship.

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    1. Nathan's courtship fell apart years ago.

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    2. Nathan and Ashely actually ended the courtship in a previous season but are still friends

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    3. Nathan is not courting

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    4. Did I miss something big? Nathan is in a new courtship?? The girl from New York did not work out but that was years ago.

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    5. Nathan is no longer in a courtship. That was a couple years ago.

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    6. You may want to actually read what it says. Nathan hasn't started a courtship. That was in season three and they are no longer together.

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    7. Nathan is courting someone?

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    8. Actually that courtship failed.
      None of the older guys (Nathan,Trace, Lawson) are in a courtship.

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    9. His courtship was from a few years ago, and ended awhile ago

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    10. My apologies. Sorry to hear the courtship ended.

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  4. Wow, bleached hair, perfect makeup, fancy-looking accessories, and a "girls' trip" to the big city. So much for shunning worldliness, haha.

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    1. Isn’t that the truth!!!

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    2. And what happened to not showing collarbones and knees? Do the Bates still follow the IBLP?

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    3. I don't think you can call taking care of yourself worldliness. Plus they are not Amish they do not "shun" the world. The way they are not like the world is, there not completely self cencenterd and they do not show every inch of there body's.

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    4. 8:24, they're like a good portion of the world. They still appear to be good people, but the inches of body that they are showing is increasing day by day.

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    5. The Bates are not part of the "plain people" (Mennonite, Amish or just plain lifestyle). The girls are dressed appropriately and there is not a thing wrong with the way they are dressed. Sounds like there is some Pharisees amongst us.

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    6. Whitney is “allowed” to travel without Zach! Wow!

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  5. Wow so pretty - look like models!

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    1. I agree the girls really have blossomed into beautiful women .
      And the guys look great too.
      Trace has really grown up lately he's lokking good.

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    2. Do models look really really beautiful? I don’t think so. They look malnourished and unhealthy.

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    3. 9:55, most models do not look malnourished and unhealthy, some yes, but to say that as a generalized statement is incorrect. Many of them eat very clean diets, no sugar, no gluten, etc, which is not actually an unhealthy way to live.

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  6. While there is nothing wrong with a girls trip to NYC, nobody can honestly say money hasn’t changed them. They have all dropped the prairie “modest” dresses, poofy Victorian hairstyles, jet-set all over the place etc. Happy they are living the dream, but time to drop the modest act.

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    1. Agreed! Gil hasn't changed persay, but the middle girls definitely have.

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    2. I agree. And while I think the prairie dresses are a bit much, I kind of miss their old simple way of life because as sweet and kind as they still seem to be, they're not as relatable when they are buying wedding dresses from designer shops, traveling to NYC and Hawaii all the time, and wearing new outfits every time I see them. They still seem like wonderful people, but not "like the rest of us" anymore.

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    3. I agree!! Modest isn’t only in our looks but the way our lifestyles are also.

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    4. They’re still modest, they just don’t dress like the Amish anymore.

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    5. Why do people keep saying, "they're just not dressed like the Amish?" No, they don't dress like the Amish, they dress like "the world." I used to enjoy watching the show because they served God and lived a simple life, but they've changed so much. It's only a matter of time before one of them becomes a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars."

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    6. Wow I never knew they wore long dresses plus headcoverings like the Amish. The things you find out via the internet.

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    7. These comments are full of jealousy. You kbow nothing about these people. All we see is a 60 min program once a week. There is nothing wrong with christian wonen wearing makeup, brand name clothing or jet setting. That has nothing to do with your character.

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    8. They never wore head coverings.

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  7. Wasn't Ashley the same girl as last time with Nathan? I'm confused

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  8. It seems like every week we have a different Bates family member on vacation. Must be nice...

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    1. I know! Not hardly in touch with reality anymore. I guess not reality for most of us anyway!

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    2. Lots of jealousy. Why would anyone care how often they go on vacation?

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    3. How are they not in touch with reality anymore? Just because they dress nice and have money. Jealousy is not a good character quality to have.

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    4. A Christian principle is to "rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep." I think it's great when they get away on a vacation. To think otherwise is to be opening the door to jealousy and discontentment.

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  9. I've never been but two of my kids have been when their high school band was invited to march in the Macy's parade. The Bates girls are gorgeous!

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  10. No I have never been there. I had planned to go through there a few years ago on a train trip to Sarasota FL but those plans fell through. It would have been too much for three little ones under five years of age.

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  11. Yes have been more times then I can count! Live about an hour away and was raised right across the river! Love NYC. All the Bates girls are so PRETTY!!

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  12. I always wanted to visit NYC. Due to poor eyesight


    I will never get to go. Have fun ladies
    Congratulations Kelton and Josie.

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  13. That is old. Nathan is no longer in a courtship.

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  14. Rachael, Nathan isn't in a courtship. That was years ago now. He and Ashley called off their relationship.

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  15. All look lovely. Good picture

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  16. They do not follow their dad's modesty standards anymore: low neckline, five inches above the knee hemline, no sleeves, expensive hair/make up/accessories......they dress and act EXTREMELY different from the days when Zach courted Whitney.

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    1. I agree! I really don't mind modern, but...

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    2. I agree! More worldly than ever!

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    3. Whitney has said she does not have the same modesty beliefs as Kelly and Gil do but she dresses per their standards when she is at their house out of respect. It honestly doesn’t bother Zach. I think Whitney looks great!!!

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    4. So, they’re still very modestly dressed, there’s nothing wrong with looking cute.

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    5. Some of the hair and makeup changes could be from Josie going to school for cosmetology. I am sure she used her sisters as test subjects. Whitney is just a Bates by marriage. I don’t think she has ever shared the same modesty standards as the Bates. Carlin and Josie’s dresses don’t look too short. They are adults at this point, so they can make their own decisions.

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    6. So what?! They are adults. They don't have to follow daddy's wishes anymore.

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    7. Zach actually blurted our a complementary comment about Whitey’s bottom in one of her immodest wedding dresses! I’d say he LOVES how Whitney dresses!!!

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    8. Whitney’s wedding dresses were not immodest

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    9. The wedding dresses she tried on were all about drawing the eye to her figure, not her face. So in that sense I'd call them immodest.

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    10. If Zach was actually saying that about his wife then you know other men were looking too. I’m surprised he’d want her to wear a dress like that to show off her stuff. Usually husbands don’t like other men looking at their wives. I agree with you, 2:27!

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  17. Time 5:36PM Sat 9/8/18
    I been to NYC lots of times even seen the Christmas tree me & the program went the program is called human first for grown ups with special needs like me. I live in Brooklyn & grew up there.

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    1. It’s magical at Christmas isn’t it Neddy! Did you get to see the Rockettes or ice skate at Rockefeller Center? Have a blessed day:)

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  18. I live in NYC strangely natives never do the tourist stuff

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    1. I think that's true of most people who live in big cities... Visitors see the sights, residents just live their life and go to work. haha-

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  19. What a Awesome Family & Weekly Show..
    We so look forward to watching the Family Grow & Start their New Lives.
    Feel so Good watching them. Just Great People to Watch. Thankyou Bates Family.....

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  20. I love Bring up Bates show! They are a great family,who truly love each other and are genuine.

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  21. They do look fantastic, but fame, along with money has changed them. I love the Bates family, but this goes to show you that no matter how good your intentions are, when things improve financially, it's hard to maintain your original convictions for lots of people. The Duggars are different too. God bless both families! I wonder how many more "changes" we will all witness before they decide that's enough. One thing I never understood is why do they stop with the hair? Cut it, style it and color it. Might as well go all the way.

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    1. I agree with you totally! Except the hair...I feel like they have gone all the way with it. They cut it, style it, and color it. Look at Carlin’s hair recently. And Alyssa has colored hers in the past. To me, they’re so much prettier leaving their hair natural.

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  22. Where is Josie's dress from? I love it!

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  23. If Whitneys dresses keep getting shorter my dad is not going to allow me to watch anymore. Please stop getting so worldly. I hope she doesn't influence the other girls.

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    1. Whitney's dress does look shorter than usual, but she's a grown lady, so I guess she can dress the way she wants too...Jane

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    2. And I hope she does influence the other girls. I think she looks outstanding and while this dress is a little shorter, it is not at all immodest.

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    3. I'd love to be "a fly on the wall" and know what Gil and Kelly really think about the trendy, sometimes controversial, clothing the adult kids are wearing now days. I know they are adults making their own way BUT parents still have opionions. I wonder if Gil prays every night that his kids are doing the right thing and really following their convictions. I noticed that Carlin and Josie are branching out already and wearing more imodest clothing. Whereas in the past kids like Alyssa had to wait till marriage to toss the thrift clothes. They look great but not as convincing as they used to with regard to their faith. They look more and more like people on the street. They used to be so careful to avoid that.

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    4. I hope your Dad will let you continue to watch the show sweetie! :o) You sound just precious! God Bless!

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    5. Yes! 2:37...wonder too

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  24. Ya know, that's kinda how it goes. Almost everyone who advertises their beliefs ends up changing over time. It happens. Looks like they are having fun though! Hurray beauts!

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    1. Yup. Fame and finances are powerful aphrodisiacs. Clearly the Bates are not immune to its charms.

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  25. Their obvious changes are fine, but sure would be nice if they updated us with the reasoning. When did the girls realize they didn’t want to follow ATI/IBLP’s? Is it something they always questioned or has all the fame and travels opened their views to less legalism? How does it affect their relationships with family members who still adhere to IBLP’s such as Micheal and Brandon and Gil and Kelly Jo? I’m genuinely interested.

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    1. I love Michael! She’s so real and dresses so pure and modestly still. I really really respect her highly. I hope she reads this because she needs some compliments and encouragement in her “changing” family.

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    2. I’d be interested to know their reasons, too!

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    3. Well, Whitney never followed IBLP, and I think it's way too early to state that Josie and Carlin must have totally rejected the IBLP teachings. IMHO while a lot of fans focus on the dress code, that is far from the core IBLP teaching.

      So far, neither Josie or Carlin has rebelled against the chaperoned courtship rules, left home before marriage, or even worn pants (though I won't be surprised if at least one does after marriage). They both plan to marry the first man they've ever had a serious relationship with, at a much younger age than a "worldly woman" does on average (age 27-28).

      They haven't even been asked if they have different beliefs about birth control. But so far none of the married Bates seem to have different beliefs than their parents on this.

      I'm sure Gil and Kelly Jo would much rather see their daughters' knees and shoulders, than have them dress like Michaela does while "shacking up" with a series of casual boyfriends and having babies out of wedlock.

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  26. I'm just here for the comments. Not realy feeling a lot of modesty in this post, particularly in dress and makeup. Nothing wrong with looking your best, but this is over the top. The miniskirt is immodest. Bleaching hair is fine (just looks wonderful actually), but their clothes are not becoming young ladies looking to not attract attention to their bodies, but to their countenance. Which is what they all preach. Beautiful girls for sure.

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    1. I agree! I hope they read these comments and take to heart the concerns being brought forth.

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    2. Their parents preach modesty, not the girls. There is nothing wrong with their outfits! And let me just say when the girls were up in NYC there was a heatwave with real feel temps over 100. Humidity was also high as well...basically like walking around a steam room. Again not sure how you can say that is a mini skirt especially since you can’t see their legs!

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    3. They are in a big city. They need to look fantastic and fit in.

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    4. Doesn’t matter they’re in a big city...goodness...perfect place to set a example and witness, not do what everyone else is doing and wearing.

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  27. All the Bates sisters and sis-in-laws are gorgeous, inside and out! Love the obvious deep feelings they all have for one another.

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  28. I don't get it. Why are people upset by the way these young women look? They look very nice. Should they go around looking like old hags to please others?

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  29. Whitney has always said she doesn't share the same modesty values as the Bates. She's only a Bates by marriage and wants to remain true to herself. That's why she and Zach have prayed about those types of things and sought answers from the Lord in their own relationship.
    It's really sad that she's being labelled immodest in today's world. She's an adult woman, appropriately dressed and nicely turned out. One minute people are complaining about the prairie dresses and how they are completely unrelatable because of their extreme views and the next minute they are too modern, not modest and totally unrelatable because they have a more jet set lifestyle.
    All the older kids have jobs now and can afford the travel if that's what they want to do. This NYC trip is obviously the bacholorette weekend before the wedding, why can't we be happy for them and move on.

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    1. The posters who commented about the prairie dresses aren't the same people as those who are judging Whitney for wearing above-the-knee dresses.

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    2. Pretty sure that the people who were complaining about prairie dresses aren't the same people complaining about the way the Bates women dress now. But other than that I agree with you.

      Some of these comments make it sound like the Bates women are now wearing skintight dresses with plunging necklines that show cleavage and barely cover their bottoms. That's far from what they're wearing in this pic. We don't even see how long Josie and Carlin's dresses are.

      Some people also seem to think it's impossible to be wealthy and modest at the same time. Seems like a way to feel morally superior. "I may not be as rich, but at least I'm modest!"

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  30. I've thought for a while that it is Whitney who has been an influence on the family's standard. Alyssa also, since she lives far away and does what she wants. She wears the showiest clothes out of all the Bates girls. And some of the others aren't far behind.

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    1. IMO Whitney and Alyssa aren't the main or only influences on the family's style. The male Bates kids have also changed how they have dressed and there are photos of Lawson and Nathan that are way more "immodest" than any that the women have taken. They're influenced by their friends as well. From photos they've shared, they don't dress any differently from their friends at Crown College. Also, they fit in with their peers in pictures at weddings including those affiliated with the IBLP.
      It looks like the second generation Bates are moving away from legalism and realizing that a Christ-centered life isn't determined by whether the world can see your knees or collarbone.

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  31. I look forward to the day when a woman's body is actually hers. Where she's not being judge by the length of her skirt and what's consider modest or not. I also look forward to the day when we as women stop doing this to other woman. They look very nice.

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    1. I agree. However, the Bates have an association with IBLP and one of the points of the show has been their stance on modesty standards for women. It stands to reason that now viewers are curious as to the obvious secular changes in wardrobe choices for the young women. (I think they all look lovely!)

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    2. In fairness, however, KJ has always said their modesty rules are for their home only. She acknowledges that when her ids are adults, they will likely adopt different rules. I wish Alyssa and Whtney, and anyone else on their own, would feel comfortable to appear in jeans or shorts on the show when not in KJ and G's presence, and when the group, including KJ and G, is at their house. I admire they respect the parents enough to dress accordingly in the parent's home. I just wish the same respect would be given to those who have their own place. Perhaps KJ and G wouldn't say anything, but I suspect there would be a sense of disapproval.

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    3. I personally don't see any reason to be having this kind of debate with the clothes the girls are wearing in this picture. I think they look great. However, as a response to the original commenter, there will never come a time when people don't judge each other by what they wear. Case in point with mine and your judgement that what the girls are wearing is fine. Each and every individual has their own standards by which they judge.

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  32. ALL three of these young Bates ladies look great and still modest. So what if their hair color isn't natural or their skirts don't come to their ankles. Mine hair color isn't natural and I wear at the knee length dresses. And more than likely most of you are the same way. Please stop being so judgmental and try be an encouraging fellow Christian instead.

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  33. Why are people so negative about these girls? First, there is nothing wrong with the way they are dressed. Second, they buy a lot of their clothes at thrift stores. Third, not sure why Whitney being in New York without her husband is such a BIG deal. They are very beautiful young ladies. Last, Nathan is NOT in a courtship with Ashley. That's old news.

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    1. Because for years the Bates were like "oh no we don't wear this or that" and now they are. That's why. We aren't judging but curious. What's changed in their belief system? Obviously the girls didn't feel the same convictions as their parents or they would be dressing like Kelly and Gil after marriage. It's just nobody knew till they got engaged and moved out. And furthermore, why is the man in the relationship the only one who can "approve" the girls wardrobes? So and so says jeans are ok so now Alyssa can wear jeans?!? Can't Alyssa make her own convictions as an adult? Love the Bates so much but man do they confuse their audience.

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    2. Why is it confusing that 19 kids won't all agree 100% with everything their parents believe? That's not the case in the vast majority of families. I never expected all the kids to march in lockstep with their parents once they grew up, and I doubt Kelly and Gil did either, as their own parents have more "worldly" beliefs and lifestyles.

      And why is it confusing that a young adult can disagree with their parents but still respect them and follow their rules while under their roof? Josie and Carlin aren't wearing pants, they're not showing cleavage, they may be pushing the envelope a bit in this pic, but I haven't seen them wear anything that's definitely breaking house rules.

      And it's just speculation that the only reason Alyssa wears jeans because her husband "lets" her wear them. We don't hear as much from her as we do from Whitney, but the latter has made it very clear that the way she dresses is based on her OWN convictions.

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  34. They look beautiful and I personally love their style. Praise the Lord that He looks upon the heart and not at what they are wearing. The fact that they are being judged by any of you is just wrong...you are not their judge. We all need to make sure our own hands are clean before we point our finger at anyone else! Just sayin!

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    1. But what you wear IS a fruit of what’s in your heart...think about it.

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  35. I am so glad that they have a modern look. They look great and that is so important in this world.

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    1. Is that truly important to reach heaven tho? That should be our long term goal, but we have to do some self denying here on earth first.

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  36. If you want to see people sewing, cleaning, and wearing prairie dresses, you can watch a show called little house on the prairie.

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  37. There is nothing in the Bible that says women can't wear dresses above the knee, color their hair, or go on vacation. Most of the rules that people make up our man made. Has nothing to do with being a Christian.

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    1. I agree, I find it disturbing that not only are some people judging what the Bates women in this pic are wearing in terms of modesty, they are accusing them of being "secular" or "worldly" as well. As another Anon mentioned, most of the young people attending Crown College, which is definitely a Christian college, dress in a similar way.

      Also, modesty is NOT just a Christian belief, most religions teach that, and many people who don't follow any particular religion still think modesty is a good thing.

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  38. Very Godly family. Good role models for every person of any age

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  39. No reason to shop at thrift stores when you dont really have to.

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    1. Many people shop at thrift stores, or an "overstock" or "resale" type store, not because they can't afford to shop anywhere else, but because you can often find "vintage" clothes that are a little different from what you can buy "off the rack".

      I suppose one could argue that if too many people who don't "have" to shop at thrift stores buy from them, there won't be any clothes left for the really poor people who "have to" shop there. But I've never actually seen that happen. And you could just donate clothes you're no longer wearing to the same store to make up for whatever you buy.

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  40. All of the girls are beautiful no matter what they wear. I have never seen them wear anything controversial. That has nothing to do with your face

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  41. It seems like Whitney's dress is testing the limits. Personally I think she maybe challenging against principals that should be conformed to not rebelled against.

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