can female jehovahs witnesses wear pants at anytime?

Answer 1

Yes, a female Jehovah's Witness could choose to wear pants at anytime, but depending on her community's sensibilities her choice of clothing might affect what she could do during the time she wore them.

As a global religion, Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe the bible to teach that any particular clothing must be worn by Christians while sharing the "good news". In every land, a male or female Witness might wear a sports-jersey while witnessing to a teammate, a jumpsuit while witnessing to a workmate, a school uniform while witnessing to a classmate, or even pajamas while witnessing to a marriage mate! Jehovah's Witnesses actively encourage their adherents to engage in this 'informal ministry'.

Clearly, however, more dignity must be attached to a program of FORMAL ministry.

(1 Corinthians 14:33) For God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace. As in all the congregations of the holy ones


When a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses arranges an organized program of door-to-door formal ministry in its territory, that congregation understands that the community will identify each Witness minister with the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. The congregation certainly wants to assure that no reproach is brought upon the name of Jehovah, and so they work to call on homes in an orderly manner, at reasonable times of the day, and in groups that do not overwhelm a particular street.

(1 Corinthians 14:40) But let all things take place decently and by arrangement.


In addition, each congregation must weigh the cultural sensibilities of the householders in its territory. While the Jehovah's Witness religion does not prohibit women from wearing pants in the formal ministry, responsible local elders may do so if they actually believe that this would unnecessarily distract attention from the important message which is the focus of the ministry program. Even the apostle Paul noted that understated attire is preferred for the ministry, so that it does not distract from the "good news".

(1 Timothy 2:9-10) Likewise I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God

Jehovah's Witnesses' formal meetings are also dignified and reflect local sensibilities regarding attire befitting ministers. In nearly all of Europe, USA, and Canada everyone on the platform (stage) of a Kingdom Hall wears a jacket and tie, or skirt or dress. Yet no particular attire is required of the audience or those who comment from their seats!

Any Witness who feels that local "rules" have become arbitrary may discuss this with her congregation's circuit overseer during his week-long (twice-yearly) congregation visit. If the Witness feels that he cannot wait, he can write to the branch office that serves his area. It is rare for a branch to correct a local body of elders on a clothing guideline, but then again it is rare for any body of elders to make an arbitrary "rule". The bible teaches that local tradition which respects community standards does not need to be corrected (assuming it is not unscriptural).

(1 Corinthians 11:2) Now I commend you because in all things you have me in mind and you are holding fast the traditions just as I handed them on to you


In some very cold areas of the United States, local congregations do allow women ministers to wear modest dress pants in the formal ministry. Again, the matter is a local one and is determined primarily by local community sensibilities and a wish to please Jehovah God.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_15.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_11.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm

Answer 2

I used to live in a JW community, used to go to meetings with my family and I've never actually heard before that women are not allowed to wear pants, either in ministry, or in the congregation. My /grandparents/ wanted me to wear a dress, but they were old fashioned. At least one of my aunts I can't ever recall wearing a dress or skirt.
But then again Montana itself is kind of conservative.
But move to Portland, OR, and I've seen plenty of gals wearing slacks and dress jackets. I've worn slacks myself to meetings. The only thing I ever got the impression of with service work or meetings was we should dress in a nice and respectful manner, much as you would be expected of at a business. Even a nice t-shirt or polo is okay if you don't own anything dressier. Some people are forced to come to the meetings in their work clothing or they will just bring a nice shirt if they can't get home to change.
I think as the one above mentioned, a lot of the clothing is based on what is considered appropriate to the region or local community.