I’ve always been a jeans-and-t-shirts kind of girl. Very low maintenance. So much so that I didn’t even know I have an obsessive compulsion to color-coordinate until my freshman year of college! Beginning to work in a professional field had partially ruined this tendency, but in April 2010, I switched full-time to knee-length or longer skirts and elbow-length sleeves or longer. I don’t always wear shirts that cover my collarbone, but I do keep my necklines exceptionally high to make sure no cleavage could ever show. I’m very top-heavy, so this is a challenge.
The following are my observations on changing from a lazy girl-dresser to wearing skirts full time. I’ve always been pretty modest with my shirts, so that was less of a big deal to me, though as you’ll see below, even my shirt fashion has changed.
Samantha says
How has it been for you changing over from jeans and t-shirts to long skirts and long sleeves?
I'm still trying to prepare for that one… I'm married so I'm beginning my tznius with covering my hair.
Kayla says
I agree with all that is written here!! Feel like I've just read my own life…
Anonymous says
You know, I'm amazed at how very similarly I feel! It's almost as if you've written my experience, too.
Aravah says
Where do you purchase your long skirts? I'm trying to find some online and they're SO hard to find! Either that or they're overpriced.
Anonymous says
I've been seeing them everywhere too. I try to find skirts that don't have to be hemmed (I'm only 4'9") which is difficult but I've got three now that were okay. They weren't not meant to be ankle length so that works out for me. Kohls (which you can find online) always has below the knee – ankle length skirts and their prices are reasonable.
Miriam says
Button-down shirts can be made more tolerable by sewing a snap halfway between the top two buttons, if the second button makes the neckline too low. And a few snaps between the other buttons will prevent gapping, especially if you're well endowed.
Anonymous says
Very interesting take on the effects of switching to skirts. I also found that wearing skirts (and covering my hair) led to me feeling more dressed up and more presentable than when I wore pants. But since I'm not Orthodox (or planning to become Orthodox anytime soon) dressing that way brought along a lot of baggage that I wasn't willing to shoulder.
Very glad you're enjoying it, though. Wrap skirts from various online stores were some of my favourites.
Anonymous says
What happens if you work in field that wearing a skirt could be considered dangerous? I've considered switching over to an all skirt diet, but it wouldn't always be acceptable.
CrazyJewishConvert says
Some get a heter to wear pants. Some just wear pants without asking. It's possible to wear jeans and a long fitted shirt that covers the "split" area (the "tunic shirt" idea discussed by Rabbi Moshe Feinstein). Others I know use fitted knee-length blue jean skirts (with or without tights underneath, according to your hashkafah). Blue jeans skirts can even be starched to help them stay in place even more than they already do. Likewise, you could sew up any slit that might create a piece of fabric a machine could grab. Blogger Rucheli wrote about her experiences as an engineer in a factory on her blog: http://www.rucheli.com/2010/chick-in-the-skirt/ She describes wearing a black skirt, but I personally would favor the stay-in-place qualities of a blue jean skirt.
As a side note, you should especially read the new post about throwing out pants if you do decide to make the change. Not throwing out your pants on a whim is especially important in a case like yours, when you may be forced to begin wearing them again (or simply decide you feel safer in them). http://crazyjewishconvert.blogspot.com/2012/02/what-not-to-do-when-you-frum-out.html
Anonymous says
Thanks so much
Anonymous says
Hi
I'm a Christian (my dad is Jewish) and like you, my faith just feels 'right' and true to me – I loved your blog post about it being like falling in love. To me, that's what real faith is all about, connecting with this big God, who sees every part of me!
Anyway, not here to share my story – but just to say that I'm thoroughly enjoying reading yours! It's really insightful and I like too, the idea of a proper Sabbath. It's something that contemporary Christians often don't do. I grew up in a Christian household where we were strictly regulated on 'Sunday activities'; no TV, no going to the stores, no games. It all felt like such a bore. Funny, how, as you get older, you learn how to rejoice in peace and quiet and being able to shut yourself off from the rest of the world.
Though I doubt we would ever see eye to eye on the subject of Jesus – I think I can learn from what you write. I think lots of Christians could.
Anonymous says
Look for custom-sewn modest clothing at http://modestanytime.com. It's a Jewish company, but many non-Jews are also clientele. They run free Snood giveaways and contests.
Joy says
For those who are still looking for long jean skirts… do u sew? if not, find a good seamstress. grab 2 pairs of your jeans. one that fits super well (maybe a bit loosely) and a second pair to cut up. Your seamstress will split the jeans down the seams and cut 2 triangles out of the other pair to use as inserts. For some reason I can't post a link in here from the iPad, but if you google fashion-icon jean splicing, there is a tutorial. If you want a knee length skirt, you will only need one pair of jeans.
One of my friends even has one that's sewn straight in the front with pleats in the back, super cute (knee
length). The best part is that you're not wasting all of your old clothes.
Kochava says
Originally posted: September 24, 2011 at 8:24 PM
I mainly find them at Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, and the website Kosher Casual. Mostly the first two. Right now, long skirts are very trendy, so they're everywhere if you take the time to wade through clothing stores. My friend also swears by Forever 21, but I choose not to shop there because they are very vocal about donating their profits to Christian missionary organizations. But they do have a wide variety of reasonably-priced skirts and shells.
Rachel says
How do you keep from getting really hot when tznuis? It gets really hot in the summer where I live, and I can't imagine covering my elbows and knees and collarbones all the time.
Anonymous says
my lady is allways shutting her long jersey maix skirts in the car door some times there loads left hanging out flapping around for every one to see i do keep telling her but i,ve give up now its just left flapping around there always out once for ages she does look nice in them though
erallen says
Hey! Great perspective on switching to skirts. I'm actually a Catholic, and I grew up wearing long denim skirts and jumpers. I hated it, and when I grew up, I did what I wanted and wore whatever I pleased. Now I am 27, engaged, and running right back to my roots–albeit more fashionably. People have just started making comments, many times people say I look nice so I think it is a plus. People seem even friendlier to me now; I had never received compliments on my dressing habits before. All in all, it's been positive but I am scared of my rocky mountain winter. I guess I'll see how it goes. Anyhow, great read and good job.
Michelle ComesLast says
face palm! why didn't I think of that?
Anonymous says
Hello,
What does an Orthodox Jewish woman wear when she exercises? Like long distance running or other forms of cardio? What are the rules for that?
Thanks