This is from a long time ago that I just hadn’t posted at the time. I’m posting it now, but it’s no longer geared to any specific person.
I was reading Frum Meet’s World Post about long skirts and it got me thinking. Is it a question of tznius that people are against long skirts? I would say long skirts are more royal looking, and cover more of the leg so they should be tznius.
I like long skirts because I imagine they are like the long flowing gowns people wore in the olden days. Reminds me of like Pride and Prejudice characters and other such classics. I see girls in long skirts to the floor and I love the way it looks. In my opinion it looks better than short skirts, at least for some people. I myself don’t think I look the “best” in long dragging skirts, but I definitely think I look better in long skirts rather than short ones. I do own a few shorter skirts, but I wear them rarely.
At first I thought it was just because of shidduchim that people said I shouldn’t wear long skirts. I understand there’s a whole blog about not giving into doing things just for the sake of shidduchim, but rather to do what defines you even if it is bad for shidduchim. So why can’t I continue to wear long skirts if I like it and feel it’s more “me” than short skirts?
People are always saying how they want to do their own thing and not conform with society. So why here is there a difference? why here does it become distasteful that a person wouldn’t want to associate with someone who wears a dragging skirt? Why can’t it be accepted as something a person likes. People may have different tastes. A person can like short skirts and still not denigrate those who like to wear long ones.
16 comments:
It's a tricky topic. Some Orthodox Jews view skirts that are longer than mid-calf as messy, unkept, rumpled, etc. thus immodest so all women should wear mid-calf length skirts.
I personally am a huge fan of the ankle length skirts. Mid-calf length skirts make me look even shorter and stockier than I already am. Anything shorter makes me feel very exposed and uncomfortable.
years ago when the ultra long skirts became stylish i was very happy. finally someone coud dress very frum yet look very stylish. i even had many non- jewish co-workers who sported this style.
when i hear people say that the ultr-long skirts arent considerd tzanua enough i just laugh. we really cant win even when fashion seems to be smiling upon us.
My sister was explaining to me how long skirts look a bit sloppy the way many girls were them now- not put together and unkept, and like you said since all Jewish girls are princesses it's our responsibility to dress more put together. I don't really have much of an opinion about it, but that's what my sister learned in sem :-)
If it looks good keep it. Sometimes people think that its weird for everyone to think a certain way, and maybe that someone is right (as in this case), but the fact is they do think that way.
I'm with you babysitter; long skirts look way better than shorter! Like wandering Jew said, it even makes ones legs look longer! The only thing a shorter skirt is good for is like with a suit jacket. But then again the general public doesn't wear such things, so if one wanted to fit in to a locale with fewer Jews, I suppose it would make more sense to wear the type of skirt that might be advertised by the Gap..
..and honestly, Chassidim will say anything if it conforms with their way of doing things, but shorter skirts are definitely not "more tzanua" than longer ones.
I think long skirts look sexy very often. They definitely look better than knee-long ones (IMO). I think skirt is tznius when it covers knees when girl is sitting, so everything shorter in my eyes is not-tznius-enough.
Regarding shidduchim... I'd prefer girls to wear long enough skirt. There'll be enough time to get a good picture of her legs. A guy should concentrate on her personality and not form of her legs. At least because personality is a more constant thing then legs...
Unfortunately in the Orthodox frummy society we live in, the way you're judged has nothing usually to do with what's right or wrong..
And if more people would be like you and willing to do what is right instead of the sheep following method of doing things..
I don't think the problem is long skirts persay, but maybe the sloppiness in dressing (mentioned by other commentators). If it drags in the street, hem falling past the shoes- it's not so tznius, but rather eye-catching.
Duty lenght (between short and long) was never in style- considered 'nebbish'- so long skirts inherently have some style.
I personally love my long peasant skirts and wouldn't trade them in. But, they look put together, not sloppy, unkempt, or deliberately eye-catching.
I like long skirts too - but not draggin on the floor of course!
I am like you, i like the flowiness of the long skirt...there is something elegant about them, i like having to pick up my skirt to go up the stairs, it definitely has some royalty feel to it.
that being said, long skirts do make me look a little shorter, and the mid calf skirts are definitely a "good length" for me.
I think you need to wear what feels good for you, because the fact is, if you aren't comfortable in your own clothes, then it will "show up" when you talk to people. if you are happy, then of course people will always see "happy" :)
Good Shabbos!
"At first I thought it was just because of shidduchim that people said I shouldn’t wear long skirts."
?
I am hesitant to write anything here, because my mother always taught me, if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your mouth closed.
But I can't deal with more squelching! Wear the pretty long skirts already.
LEORA:
so keep your mouth closed . . . but you can always write!
I think every skirt is different and it makes no sense to generalize.
The Wandering Wondering Jew: I suppose I can compromise to ankle length skirts.
"I personally am a huge fan of the ankle length skirts. Mid-calf length skirts make me look even shorter and stockier than I already am. Anything shorter makes me feel very exposed and uncomfortable."
That is exactly how I feel!
Frum Female: very true, it seems like you can never win!
PrincessYuttle: Sounds like your sister is having a good influence on you! continue learning from her!
MikeInMidwood: Interesting...something to think about.
Shlomo: Thank You!
I agree. When I refer to shorter skirts, I mean like 4 inches below the knee and 4 inches above the ankle, which is considered "duty length".
BTS: True, her legs shouldn't be a distraction.
NotaGeek: I suppose.
NMF#7: right so I like peasant skirts too, I was so happy when they came out! I still wear it now, even though it may not be in style, I wear it cause its a style I like.
And I don't think any of my long skirts are eye catching or unkempt looking. So perhaps I'm still good to go.
Shorty: You described it wonderfully! I like picking up my skirt too, it is royal feeling.
"I think you need to wear what feels good for you, because the fact is, if you aren't comfortable in your own clothes, then it will "show up" when you talk to people. if you are happy, then of course people will always see "happy" :)"
Very true, I think that's what made me uncomfortable by social events for a long time, cause I never felt happy with my clothes, with what I was wearing. When I know I like something on the other hand, then it allows me to relax and feel confident about myself.
LionOfZion: At one point I only had one short skirt, and most were long skirts, so my parents said I'd have to buy shorter skirts, or maybe it was my grandmother that said that. Maybe long skirts make me look childish.
Leora:Thank You! :-)
Dry Eyes: Good point, every skirt can look different on different people.
Post a Comment
Click the "Subscribe" link to get e-mail follow up on comments.