Skirts, Pants, and More- What's Right?

 By Ann Weaver.

 

Credits: Ann.

From the title of this article, I’m pretty sure I know what you’re thinking. I can see the questions in your head. “Why address this topic?” “What are they going to say?” “Is this Ann’s view, or the view taken by the blog as a whole?”

We feel that this is an important topic for us to address, though it’s a controversial topic amongst Christians. In fact, all three of the authors here have different opinions on the subject. We all respect one another’s opinions, and all back this article.

Skirts. Pants. Dresses. Shorts. There are so many ways to view the matter of clothing. Some families believe a woman should only wear skirts and dresses, and some say pants and shorts are acceptable. Others are fine with anything found in stores. And some people, such as certain Amish sectors, even have certain patterns and styles of dresses a girl must wear. Whatever your viewpoint, please know that it's not our desire to change anyone’s convictions with this article, but to try and present a fair presentation of both viewpoints. 

In the end, most opinions center on this matter: Should women only wear skirts and dresses, or should they be able to wear pants and shorts?

It’s easy to step on toes here, and that is not at all our intention. Though I may miss some important points, let’s look at some of the main reasons a family would hold each belief. (Typically, skirts/dresses are allowed either way; it’s the pants/shorts that are in question.) This is not a tally or a competition, only a presentation of common opinions. 

 

First Viewpoint: Wearing Only Skirts and Dresses

 

Point 1: Skirts/dresses are more modest.

 

Skirts and dresses are often seen as more modest because most don’t show the shape of the rear or legs. When wearing pants or shorts, those areas are often “hugged” by the material, thus showing off those parts of the body. 

To be fair, this all depends on the skirt or dress. Loose pants are much more decent than a skin-tight dress or short skirt. 

 

Point 2: Skirts and dresses are more feminine than pants and shorts.

 

Whether they believe these should be the only form of women’s clothing or not, most people see skirts and dresses as more feminine. Because of this, some may wear skirts and dresses to church, and then wear pants and shorts during the week.

The question here is technically more about the definition of femininity and whether it should constantly be shown through attire. Is it important for women to constantly dress this way? Should the outward expression of femininity be a high priority? 

This question often leads into the next one. 

 

Point 3: Wearing skirts/dresses supports the text of Deuteronomy 22:5. 

 

People often believe that skirts/dresses are the attire of a woman, whereas pants/shorts are the attire of a man. That logic is then applied to the verse. Deuteronomy 22:5: “A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.”

There are many interpretations of this verse. Some claim this verse only applies to the readers in the past, when the text was written. Some say this means women should wear clothing that was specifically made for women, meaning that a woman can wear women’s pants, but not men’s pants. Others hold that this pertains only to purposeful crossdressers. And others take it literally, as for the present day, as in the example. As this point rests on the way you interpret Scripture, I prefer not to speak on that subject. 

 

Second Viewpoint: Approving Pants and Shorts

 

Point 1: Pants/shorts are more convenient.

 

Pants and shorts are typically more convenient to wear and get around in. This is not only for younger people but also older women, as mobility grows more difficult with age.

Strictly speaking, you can do almost everything in a skirt or dress that you can do in pants and shorts. Of course, you have to be willing to get them dirty or torn. With a flowy skirt or dress on, one can still ride a horse, climb a ladder, or spread one’s legs out wide.

The real question here is this: should these things be done in the first place? Turning a cartwheel? Throwing a leg over a chair? Climbing a tree? The question is whether the behavior in itself should be allowable for a young lady, not the clothing.

 

Point 2: Pants/shorts are actually more modest than skirts/dresses.

 

I once heard this in the dispute between skirts/dresses and pants/shorts: “If there is a strong wind, a skirt will fly up and become more revealing. With pants, there isn’t any problem.”

Pants do not have that problem, that’s true. But a skirt/dress flying up and revealing too much would depend on the fabric or the length of the skirt. After all, unless the wind is completely unexpected, a wise girl would not be wearing a flimsy skirt on a cold day. Additionally, no skirt/dress should be short enough that body parts are easily revealed. And remember: there are also some extremely tight pants/shorts/leggings out there that are inappropriate. It all depends on the material and style of the clothing!

 

Point 3: Saying you should only wear skirts/dresses is legalistic.

 

Though the focus of the skirt/dress debate has good intentions, the reason can often become lost in the strict keeping of the rule. Girls may be required to wear a skirt or dress, while receiving no reason for wearing it. This then makes the opinion a rule rather than a choice. 

On the other hand, legalism can also be shown in women who wear pants and shorts. Skirts-only individuals insist that their way is more feminine, godly or modest. But the women who believe pants should be allowed can be insistent that pants are their free choice, and that they’re just as modest or feminine as skirts. In both instances, the focus falls on the clothing, rather than the reasons they wear what they do.

These aren’t all the reasons people will lean one way or another, but they’re some of the main grounds for each viewpoint. Perhaps you’ve been fully agreeing with one outlook or the other, or maybe you’ve been violently disagreeing with something I said. Or possibly you’re someone who’s never thought of it. You may just like what you wear. Or maybe your church or family have rules on your attire that you’ve never thought about before. 

But do your convictions on such a minor subject truly matter?

Yes. Yes they do. But not in the way you’d think.

Skirts and dresses versus pants and shorts? That question is debatable and probably will be for infinite time. But that shouldn’t be the root of the debate.

The root should be your intentions. In the end, it’s not all about your clothing, but about your heart. (Proverbs 31:30)

Are you choosing to wear skirts and dresses because you feel it is more godly? Do you think you’ll win extra points if you look more feminine or appear less worldly? Or do you make this choice because it’s a conviction you hold or a rule laid down by your God-given headships?

Are you choosing to wear pants and shorts because you feel you can wear whatever you want, or that clothes aren’t important in your walk with the Lord? Do you wear them because you want to show your freedom to do whatever you want? Or do you make that decision with prayerful knowledge that the Lord approves of you wearing them? 

In the end, the question of women’s clothing will probably go on as long as people wear clothes. The decision rests with each church or family, and it’s our duty to follow the Lord’s guidance in this intricate matter. 

 

 

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