Should Christian women always wear skirts?

Question

I'm not entirely sure. I'm a Christian and I wear pants almost all of the time. The only times I wear skirts/dresses is at church or special occasions.

I know some people have a major problem w/girls wearing pants, and I don't entirely get it.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I think it's unnecessary for a woman to always wear skirts. I have several female friends who belong to churches that forbid the wearing of pants. I think it's interesting that most churches frown on displaying a false sense of pride, but then institute legalistic doctrines in which people can be proud and boastful of their supposed holiness. In some of the cases I know, the women's very distinctive dress (floor-length dresses and headcoverings) draws a lot of attention to them. The churches claim that it's for the sake of modesty, but the clothes are practically screaming, "Look at me!" And I'm left wondering what's so modest about that.

Answer 2

I think that women look prettier in a skirt or dress that comes about 6-8 inches below the knee. Some look good in a skirt that is longer, and that's okay too. My point is that when a woman is in a skirt of a modest length (therefore, definitely not a miniskirt), she looks prettier than a woman in pants. However, I don't think that wearing pants is wrong (let them be loose-fitting, however). As long as a woman can't be mistaken for a man, and she is well covered, she is dressed modestly. I haven't decided yet, but I'm leaning toward being in favor of women dressing in skirts and dresses for church and special occasions. In years past, I noticed in pictures that women wore dark stockings. I suppose that it was because those were more modest. So I've been wearing black, smooth-knit cotton kneesocks (which are again available at Meijer's) with my (long) skirts. It is a much cooler way to dress in the summertime. In winter, I wear black tights or just add footless tights with the kneesocks. I feel more comfortable when I'm covered up, and since I've been dressing this way, I'm not pulling at my clothes anymore.

Answer 3

In the 70's when I joined a Pentecostal church we women were not allowed to wear pants. I had to gradually change my wardrobe and I didn't have a good job to afford this. People gave me a couple of skirts, I bought a couple, it gradually built up. Also no hair cuts for women. The thing is when you look different, it is an effective tool for witnessing. And our thing was we were to be separate from the world. And we are! I left the church for several reasons which would take too long to explain. Now I'm back and I go to an Assembly of God. We wear what we want but I think modesty rules. I do not think that God would let me out of heaven because I had on a pair of jeans, and as funny as that sounds, back in the 70s we would have believed just that. God has blessed me no matter what i have on. I do not believe God wants us stressing out over things we cannot afford. If you want to wear skirts then gradually do it as you can afford it.

Answer 4

No I don't think you have to in order to be a Christian.
I wear slacks most of the time also, except for Church, weddings, funerals etc.

Some Christian denominations use the Scripture in Deuteronomy to say that if a woman wears slacks, she is putting on man's apparel.

I kind of disagree with that because unless the guy is a girlie guy, no man would be caught dead in the slacks that I wear. There is to be a male/female distinction in the sexes and clothing seems to be the issue. I think its way too legalistic in some Churches today.

Now if the woman looks like Ellen DeGeneres I'd have to say yes, because she comes across as very manly to me. I think this would be what the Scripture is talking about. Or a man that looks too feminine. Yes they had transvestites in those days.

I have not been convicted by the Spirit so I am okay with it. If a person thinks its a sin, then it is a sin to them.

Answer 5

This is a question that relies upon direction from the Holy Spirit to each individual. I spent many years attending churches that stressed that women should never wear anything that pertaineth to a man, including pants. However, the manner in which they presented this became legalistic with them, although they did present scriptures to reinforce their legalism.

I am no longer attending these churches (praise God!), and spent several years not wearing dresses/skirts at all, in order to rid myself of the legalism I had been exposed to. Extreme, yes, but it worked for me.

Now I choose to dress in a modest manner. I do wear dresses and skirts quite often, below my knee, as I not only find them more comfortable than pants, but also more modest. However, there are some activities that I find pants (loose-fitting) to be more modest, such as horseback riding, bicycling, etc. I do wear them then, and have no problem doing so.

The key issue, in my opinion, is the issue of modesty. A woman can wear a dress or skirt and still be immodest. When getting dressed, do a self-check in a full-length mirror. Is your clothing tight? Low cut tops? Short skirts? Can you bend over forward without revealing more than the backs of your knees or any cleavage? When you raise your arms does your stomach show at all? Are the arm holes in a sleeveless top/dress too large so as to show your undergarments (which you do need to wear-not only for modesty, but for support of the muscles). Is there emphasis on any certain area of your body, such as your rear or chest area? These are all questions to ask yourself, and your answers will tell you whether or not you should wear that particular item of clothing.

A man's eye is naturally drawn to certain areas of a woman's body, the same way a woman's eye is drawn to certain areas of men. However, if a lady dresses to play down these features, and not draw attention to them, then she has done her best to prevent a man from slipping into lustful thoughts. If he does anyway, then he will need to take it up with the Lord, for she will not be at fault.

I'm sorry this is so lengthy, but it is a subject near and dear to my heart, as I battled with it for so long. Pray about your clothing, go through your closet and discard anything inappropriate, and then make sure anything you buy to wear after that is modest. Then there won't be a problem choosing something to wear, no matter the occasion.

Answer 6

There is nothing in the Bible to suggest you should always wear a skirt or a dress.

The Bible does say when you are alone with your husband its ok to run around in your birthday suit.

The people who have a problem with it are called legalists.

The verse in the Old Testament which they twist out of proportion to make it mean what they want is this:

Deuteronomy 22:5
The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Now back when this was written, men and women wore clothing which looked like what we would call bath robes.

But there some mis-guided people which think that this says women can't wear pants.

I would agree this says that men should not wear bras.

In the New Testament, Jesus was critical of Jews who gave the best seats in the synogogues to well dressed people.

Matthew 23:5-7 (King James Version)

5But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

That is one way I believe Jesus told us that what we wear isn't all that important to God.

And remember the Law of Moses, was cancelled when Jesus died on the cross, nailing to the tree. See Colosssians chapter two for that.

Colossians 2:14

14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

The New Testament does tell women to wear modest clothing and often pants are less provacative than a dress or a skirt.

1 Timothy 2:9
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;

I like to annotate answers to questions with lots of Scripture, because after all who cares what Pastor Art thinks about anything.

You should care what God says, about a given subject.

A Baptist Deacon once told me I was not welcome to attend his church since I was wearing what he called, "worldly and sinful bell bottom trousers".

That was in 1974, I had, not long before, gotten home from the Vietnam War and I was wearing my official US Navy, Dress Blue Uniform. The top half was hidden underneath a solid blue Navy Peacoat, so he didn't realize I was in uniform until I took off the Peacost.

I'll guess that same Deacon tells his granddaughters today not to wear slacks.

Just a guess.

And in case you were wonderings, that's one of many reasons why I'm NOT a Baptist!!!!

Pastor Art

Answer 7

I don't get it either!
I wear pants most of the time. I'm a chemistry major in university and we can't wear skirts or shorts for lab work. Pants are protective clothing.

Answer 8

There is no Biblical passage that says women should always wear skirts an not to wear pants. It is not scriptural. God looks at the contents of our hearts not the clothes we wear.

Answer 9

Some of the fringe loonie tunes Christian sects might insist on skirts but the vast majority of sects don't care.

Ah, Phr3ak, men check out woman in lustful ways if they wear potato sacks.

Answer 10

Wear whatever you feel comfortable within a good taste.
I am a skirt and dress kind of girl and I do not own many pants. But that is my personal preference and I would never force that to others. : )