Apostolic & Pentacostal ladies: How do I quit wearing pants and start wearing skirts and dresses all the time?

Question

I recently started attending an Apostolic church and love it! Everyone is so nice and the services are so inspiring. I want to become a member and never want to go to any other church.

My problem is that women are expected to dress like ladies, in skirts and dresses all the time. I've always been a "jeans and t-shirts" kind of girl, and have always been more comfortable in pants. I know I shouldn't wear them because the Bible teaches that women shouldn't wear clothing that pertains to men. Pants definitely pertain to men and I really do want to give them up. It's just that I worry about what friends and family will say and have yet to work up the nerve to get rid of all my pants. Plus, I'll have to start wearing pantyhose again, and I'm dreading that!

This question is for all the Apostolic and Pentecostal ladies, can you help me and give me advice? Please, all others who may be negative, don't reply! I love my new church and want only help and positive comments

Thank you all for your answers, I appreciate each and every one, but:

1) I'm not really looking for answers regarding how believing in a more conservative interpretation of scripture is somehow "legalistic" and that I have been somehow misled in this regard.

2) I really do want to do what I believe God wants me to do concerning how a Christian woman should dress. I believe that in our society and culture, pants pertain to men while dresses and skirts are distinctly women's attire. I want to wear skirts and dresses only, I'm just a little shy about following through with my decision.

3) I do not judge anyone and would not force my views on anyone, this is a decision I want to make with the guidance of others who have made the same decision and the inspiration of the Word of God.

4) Please keep your answers on the subject of how I may best implement this decision and encouragement to follow through with it!

Answer 1

I know how you feel, but you'll get used to skirts after awhile. You can still wear comfortable pants around the house or if you go for a walk/jog/bike ride/etc. Yes, the pantyhose sucks, but you don't have to wear it with every skirt.

Answer 2

In he 50's and early 60's more women wore skirts than pants. I don't remember minding too much but my legs also looked better then especially when I was wearing those high heels with the pointed toes. I also went through the mini skirt/hot pants stage. Once I graduated and became a teacher, I had to dress more conservatively plus as a young wife and mom I felt a little out of place in some of these really short outfits. Now I'm all for the comfort of nice slacks and comfortable shoes.

Answer 3

Apostolic Winter Outfits

Answer 4

There's a Mennonite community close to here and the young (and older) ladies usually wear jeans under long cotton loose skirts. They wear a simple blouse with a warm hoodie or sweatshirt over or under them. And they wear sneakers and regular socks as well. I've seem them white water rafting and riding mountain bikes dressed like this.

Hope this helps!

Answer 5

I recently wrote a blog about this on my Yahoo 360 if you want to check that out. I went to all dresses two years ago. I LOATHE pantyhose, too. In the summer it is easy. You just wear skirts, t-shirts, and sandals. In the winter, I wear pantaloons underneath longer skirts when it is cold outside. If it is not too cold, I can usually get by with knee socks and longer, heavy skirts. You can still look stylish in all dresses/skirts. Thankfully nowadays there are lots of pretty dresses and skirts in the stores. I LOVE wearing all dresses. I would never want to go back to wearing pants.

Answer 6

If wearing dresses all the time is YOUR choice, then I say great. However, being a pentecostal myself, I've been where you are. But that teaching is legalistic and is not Scriptural. I know the Scriptures you're basing this doctrine on and they can be twisted to get that meaning, but it's not what God has actually said. (Or Paul.) I'm guessing your church would also like you to quit cutting your hair, wearing make-up and jewelry, and "expensive" clothing. The true message is MODESTY. I'm really not being negative, but I went through all that years ago; and I studied the subject thoroughly. One thing I discovered was that that doctrine brings a lot of pride. As in looking down on other true Christians as being "worldly" or "not really saved." Those people also use that doctrine as a way to measure their own salvation---"See, I'm saved. I only wear dresses, etc. I'm truly 'set apart'." And you will find, even within your own denomination, there will be disagreements over this. Some will say you cannot trim your hair, others will say you can have bangs. This kind of wrong teaching also keeps other sincere seekers out of your church. I am happy you love your new church. Just make sure YOU study the Scriptures and don't just follow the crowd. God bless you. :)

Answer 7

I started out that way but I work in a factory and dresses just are not practical. Today I feel that the dress code of the Apostolic Faith is legalistic and though I believe that women should dress like women I also know that there are pants for women and for men. I think that when women dress like so many homosexual women do that is wrong. They look like men! There has to be balance. I now attend an Assembly of GOD Church and love it. I can concentrate on GOD and not legalism.

Answer 8

I don't think I'm either of those things, but if you love this church I would pick a long comfy skirt and skip the pantyhose! Nobody will know. ;) For now, you could tell your family and friends you are trying a new look, redefining yourself or something like that? Good Luck!

Answer 9

The reference in the bible about women's and men's clothing, you have to take into consideration era and styles of clothing. In this era, it is socially acceptable for women to wear pants. That is why there are women's pants in the stores.
In some places in Europe, such as Scotland, it is socially acceptable for men to wear kilts (skirts.)
I can see a church taking an issue with women in men's pants and an issue with American men wearing skirts, but there is something kind of creepy and controlling about telling women that they can't cover their legs.
I have been to many different churches, but this skirt rule is outdated and unused in all that I have been to. Consider the fact that at the time the bible was written, the men wore robes that flapped about their ankles very much like the stuff the women wore. That same style would be considered very feminine by today's standards.
I know this is not the answer you were looking for, and I'm glad you found a spiritual home where you are happy, but please don't brush off my words as the devil trying to deceive you or anything like that.
I just wanted to point out to you that you need to read the passages in the bible that your church refers to and don't be afraid to wonder if their interpretations are truly the intended interpretations, or something that they came up with themselves.
I tell you this because I used to have a home at a church that ended up having be believe in some badly interpreted stuff. I am not saying that your church is "wrong" for the skirt thing. Just don't simply believe things because that's the way they told you to believe. Believe it because it makes sense to YOU.

Answer 10

Pants don't DEFINITELY pertain to men. clothing is all about culture. 1st century people in the Near East didn't wear pants, more like robes. While pants are traditionally for men in Western Civilization, that doesn't make them absolutely for men. However, if you if really want to assimilate into this church, go for it. I'm not a woman, nor a Pentecostal one at that, but I hope I helped!