Can Women Wear Pants/Jeans?

Hi everyone. In the last post I stated that it is ok for women to wear pants. If you have not read that post here is the link (it was part of the modesty topic).  

As I was doing research, one person online stated that women are not to wear pants. This person went on by pointing out the verse Exodus 28:42 to back up their statement. Well, let’s read that verse.

“And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:” Exodus 28:42

In this chapter of Exodus, God lays out the commands for how the Priests were to dress. In this verse, God commands that the Priests were to wear linen breeches to cover their nakedness.

At first reading, many would say that this verse means that men wore pants in the Bible. But, is this true? Let’s look at some facts.

The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew. And to understand this verse we need to refer to the Hebrew text.

The word breeches in Hebrew is miḵ·nə·sê (miknas) which means an undergarment.

That means that “breeches” here in Exodus 28:32 were underwear. 

These breeches were worn under the Priest’s garment. Just like how we wear under garments today.

Let me state that once more: Breeches were undergarments. They were not pants.

The outer garment that men wore in the Bible Times were tunics. A robe like garment that both, yes both, men and women wore.

And though tunics were the same style of clothing there was still a distinct difference for men and women, for God did forbid cross dressing.

Deuteronomy 22:5 “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”

And just like tunics, pants are the same style of clothing for men and women. And even though they are the same style, there is still a distinct difference for men and women. And the tops, we must wear when it comes to pants, adds to that distinction.

Therefore, it should be clear that pants/jeans are acceptable for women.

In the last post I stated that fashion has changed overtime. And it has. Adam and Eve were first clothed with animal skins. Later in time, men and women began wearing tunics. And from there fashion continued to change. We can see this for ourselves just by looking at American fashion beginning from the 1600s up to now. Fashion also varies depending on the country. Like that of Germany, Spain, and Scotland.

With fashion varying around the world, we must be careful about what we teach. A woman can be feminine in a pair of jeans, and men can be masculine in a robe-like garment (such as the Scottish Kilt).

There is not a one set modest wardrobe. That being said, whatever style of clothing you choose it is important to cover your nakedness, stay gender specific, and be modest (humble).

I hope that this has been helpful today. If you have any questions just let me know down below.

Thank you for reading :)