In a quaint village nestled in the rolling hills, a unique tradition persists: females wear only skirts. This sartorial choice, steeped in history and culture, symbolizes respect and adherence to ancestral customs. The skirts, vibrant and varied, are not mere garments but narrate stories of community, identity, and continuity. Each stitch and fold encapsulates generations of wisdom and serves as a vivid reminder of the enduring strength and grace of the village’s women.
What are the religions where females wear only skirts?
Apostolic Pentecostal
In Apostolic Pentecostal churches, women wearing only skirts and modest attire is a deeply ingrained tradition. They typically wear long skirts or dresses made of fabric choices like cotton or linen, reflecting their spiritual and traditional choice rooted in beliefs. The attention here is on avoiding pants or shorts, considered immodest or inappropriate for clothing. This modest appearance extends to minimal use of jewelry, makeup, and other adornments. The skirt requirement, often backed by scriptural passages, calls for dresses to be modestly cut below the knee, using loose, non-revealing fabric, signifying spiritual values, humility, and adherence to traditional gender roles. These practices are part of the divine modesty guidelines dictated by their religious beliefs.
Amish
In the Amish community, religions and dress codes are closely linked, especially for women who traditionally wear only skirts and long dresses, as pants are generally not permitted. These strict guidelines for modest skirts and dresses reflect values like humility, separation from mainstream influences, and a focus on spiritual priorities over body and clothing trends. The Amish approach to dress is one of restraint, steering clear of vanity to foster stronger relationships within the community and adherence to traditional gender roles. Men wear plain and practical clothing for work, while women’s attire, though decorated less, still comprises a mobile skirt that covers the knee, shoulders, and upper arms.
Their fabric choices are often solid colors, avoiding modern materials like synthetics. The absence of jewelry, makeup, and elaborate hairstyles further reinforces their stance against anything considered vain. Embracing plain, traditional clothing is a commitment to their values of modesty, discipline, and humble living. The skirts not only cover the legs but serve as a practical, visual reminder of the need to temper physical desires and maintain a strong religious identity.
Mennonite
In Mennonite communities, plain clothing embodies values of humility and spiritual devotion, emphasizing separation from worldly vanities. The practical and simple style of their clothing, particularly the women’s skirts and dresses, is an expression of these principles. Typically falling below the knee and made from solid-colored fabrics without decorative details, these garments starkly contrast with pants or stylish clothing, which are seen as distracting from faith and modesty. Additionally, head coverings, either white or black bonnets, are required, serving to express tradition and a commitment to modesty. The avoidance of jewelry, makeup, and even the covering of the hair are considered acts of sacrifice and self-adornment for spiritual purposes.
In more conservative Mennonite communities, the dress code may include ankle-length skirts, representing a visual symbol of faithfulness and moral discipline. This choice deliberately distances adherents from mainstream aesthetics and revealing clothing. The preference for long skirts underscores an emphasis on inward devotion over outward appearance, guiding women to lead modest, God-focused lives. These practices are deeply rooted in their religious and cultural traditions, marking a distinct identity and worldview.
Quaker
For Quaker women, wearing plain ankle-length dresses is a practice deeply rooted in faith, modesty, humility, and spiritual simplicity. This choice is a conscious rejection of material excess and a focus away from outward appearances. Their dress standards, which typically exclude pants in favor of skirts or dresses, serve as a visible symbol of their spiritual values, prioritizing worldly desires for simplicity. These plain-colored, loose-fitting dresses cover most of the body, embodying their principle of non-conformity to mainstream fashion and a dedication to a God-centered life. The dress code of ankle-length gowns made from solid-colored fabrics signifies their commitment to a lifestyle that aligns with Quaker values of moderation, restraint, and moral goodness.
The absence of adornment and flamboyance in their attire is akin to a membership badge of the Quaker spiritual virtues. Their clothing emphasizes humility before God and moral straightforwardness. While not strictly enforced, the skirt tradition remains a powerful cultural symbol within the Religious Society of Friends. It represents their rejection of materialism, focusing instead on the inner spiritual light. This distinction from mainstream society is a clear determination to showcase virtuous inner qualities through simple outer garments, prioritizing functionality over attractiveness.
Sikhism
In Sikhism, Sikh women often wear the traditional salwar kameez, which is a mark of both cultural pride and religious sentiment. This attire, which combines a long, loose tunic with trousers, offers both freedom of movement and aligns with the values of modesty and dignity. The bright colors and beautiful embroidery of the salwar kameez reflect a cheerful, artistic side of the faith, while also embracing Western attire as a symbol of their identity. The practical benefits of a knee-length tunic over a fluidity skirt speak to traditional femininity, striking a balance and harmony in their appearance. The garment’s ornamentation is often a celebration of life and beauty, intrinsic to Sikhism’s philosophy, with concealing fabric underscoring humility and other virtues.
Additionally, optional headscarves or dupattas complement the vibrant salwar kameez, making them conspicuous representations of the spirit and principles of equality inherent in Sikhism. These garments are not just a sight of maternal love and cultural continuity but also represent the divine oneness that the faith upholds. This attire allows Sikh women to nurture grace and tradition, while seamlessly blending into the modern context, exemplifying how traditional clothing can evolve while maintaining its core cultural and religious significance.
Related Article: Why Do Girls Wear Baggy Clothes?
Hinduism
For Hindu women, the traditional sari is not just a long, flowing garment; it’s a profound expression of devotion to cultural and spiritual values. This attire, embodying femininity, is steeped in tradition, with its pleats and wrap style demanding skill, patience, and grace, reflecting laudable feminine qualities within Hinduism. Made from ornately designed silk or cotton fabrics, each sari showcases creativity and individuality, while modestly concealing yet celebrating the wearer’s form. As a living symbol of Hindu womanhood, it connects women to their ancient roots and the community’s traditions.
The strength, warmth, and spiritual devotion embodied in this cultural tradition make it more than attire; for the orthodox Hindu woman, it’s an integral part of religious development. The art of properly wearing a sari is akin to a well-practiced spiritual discipline, teaching virtues like tenacity and attention to detail, essential for ultimate enlightenment. It stands as a sacred symbol of feminine virtues and qualities such as modesty and grace, contributing to the community’s cultural longevity and honoring the rich heritage of ancestors. This shared history becomes an external reminder of the wearer’s inner spiritual development and the journey towards moksha, the ultimate goal of the soul’s final liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Jainism
Jain women traditionally wear a plain, unadorned white sari or dhoti, embodying the religion’s core values. These flowing long garments reflect the principles of simplicity and non-attachment that are central to Jainism. Unlike other religions where bright or dyed colors are common, Jain attire usually avoids these due to the potential harm and pollution associated with their complicating production. The loose, concealing drape of these garments is in line with Jain teachings, favoring modesty over tight or revealing clothes which might signify excessive desire or discomfort. Plain white garments signify humility and a spiritual focus, steering clear of vanity and ornamentation.
This practice of donning a simple white sari daily is more than a dress code; it’s a manifestation of virtues like detachment, self-discipline, and compassion, which are central to the teachings of Jainism. Wearing these garments serves as a metaphorical lesson in renouncing complicated wrappings and coverings of the soul, symbolizing wisdom and purity. This modest, yet moving spiritual practice, enables Jain women to continually express and develop essential Jain values such as simplicity, humility, and nonviolence, even in their mundane behaviors and routines.
Bahá’í Faith
In the Bahá’í Faith, traditional chador or hijab and flowing garments are often worn by Bahá’í women as a living expression of the faith’s core values, particularly spiritual modesty. This includes a full-length drape and head covering, aligned with the Bahá’í ethos of dressing without inciting carnal appetites. The choice of concealing fabric emphasizes spiritual priorities over desires for adornment and attention. On a daily basis, these clothes externalize and strengthen their internal commitment to virtues such as humility, non-attachment, and purity, foundational in Bahá’í teachings.
Their attire is typically loose, plain, and unembellished, mirroring their quest for an unadorned spiritual life that is divine in essence. Even when choosing modern clothing, they do so with respect to their sisters who wear traditional garments as part of their personal striving for spiritual advancement. Whether it’s the chador, hijab, or other modest clothing, the focus is to cultivate virtues like spiritual detachment, compassion, and unity. For devout Bahá’í women, these choices are an active spiritual practice and development of inner qualities such as wisdom, temperance, and refinement, viewing their physical bodies and earthly garments as a means to an end, not the end itself.
The choices, and the trousers, that shaped me
Growing up, my mother’s choices in how she chose to dress me during childhood profoundly shaped my future perspectives on fashion. In our household, the trends were often overridden by practicality reasons; skirts were considered to hinder a baby’s ability to crawl, engage in playing outside, or riding a bike. Thus, leggings became a staple, not just for modesty reasons, but also for allowing freedom of movement. Yet, there were times when pretty things took precedence, despite the money they cost and how long they would last. Fast forward to my days in the office, where the pre-requisite for ladies was skirt suits and heels, embracing a style that echoed masculinity in its broadness of shape. This was the corporate world, a workplace where such attire came to represent the norm not just in our office but everywhere.
One vivid, deeply impactful childhood memory is of a beautiful sailor dress with a peter pan collar, puff sleeves, and a tiered skirt, complete with matching lace gloves – a special treat. Yet, the comments from immediate family about it being impractical and a waste of money left me feeling deeply ashamed of my dream of embracing such **childhood “style.” It was a harsh lesson in how the views of parents, family, and peers can embed false beliefs into us. Into adulthood, these experiences shaped how women, including myself, often dream of being something they’re not, be it in terms of style, weight, or even coping with postpartum body fluctuations. These moments, both liberating and restrictive, offered a window into the complex tapestry of choices and expectations that influence us, conveyed through the simple act of choosing what to wear.
Why are we no longer dressing like ladies?
This reflection and commentary on why we’re not dressing as traditionally feminine anymore starts with a young girl, deserving of being dressed in pretty and girly clothes. We once idolized figures like Barbie, which reflected in our teenage years with frilly or even revealing attire, emulating icons like Britney and X-tina. Later, the trend shifted to skinny jeans and a nice top, still an embrace of femininity, but less pronounced. This evolution results from a mix of social conditioning and generational timing.
We identify with characters like Cher Horowitz or Elle Woods for their love of pink during the Sex & the City years with Charlotte York and other fashionistas, then Desperate Housewives and Bree reminiscent of Stepford Wives in the movie reboot – a creepy story but with alluring aesthetics. Indulged in dress-up as kids, with Grandmother sewing replica Disney dresses, there was a wonderful feeling of being girly during make-believe time. Now, the media narrative often associates daily dress-wearing and presenting as overtly feminine with being like devout religious ladies or weak women under their husband’s thumb.
To be taken seriously, we’re told to Man-up, thus losing a visual example that sets apart the shy from the bold. The demonization of cisgender identification has made some girls feel damaging to encourage what’s now seen as wrong. This is explored in In Defense of the Princess, where my friend Jerramy talks about turrets and tiered dresses. As a daughter of frilly parents, the notion of personal choice becomes complex. Is choosing trousers over skirts an easier choice, denying a more feminine way? Or is it embracing all that one can be, shy or bold, yet always worthy for a variety of reasons?
Related Article: Why Do Religious Ladies Wear Long Denim Skirts?
I just want to wear dresses, and wear them I will!
Embracing the choice to dress in skirts or dresses often comes with an unexpected load of emotional baggage. As a woman/girl, when you’re dressed up without a specific occasion, it invites a spectrum of reactions – from comments and polite inquiries to snark and judgment. Unlike the modern uniform of skinny jeans, choosing a dress for the everyday is seen as overly dressed up, pushing us to normalise more traditionally feminine clothing irrespective of the occasion. This determination isn’t just about fashion; it’s a statement of being as resilient and intelligent as any trouser-wearing counterparts, proving that one’s attire doesn’t define their capabilities or seriousness. Wearing a dress should be as unremarkable as any other clothing choice, free from the weight of stereotypes or expectations.