Religious requirement to wear skirts

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In an age where the majority of women at any given time are wearing trousers, there are a number of religions that prohibit women from wearing trousers and require all women and often young girls to wear only skirts or dresses. The reasons behind such beliefs, which vary within each religion and culture, are generally due to modesty laws, which vary in each culture.

[edit] Orthodox Jews

Most Orthodox Jewish women are required by religious laws to wear skirts and not trousers. There are two main precepts in Judaism that are the basis for this. One is modesty. In Jewish belief, the space between a woman's legs is considered to be a private area, and therefore, must be covered by a garment. Additionally, there is the Biblical Commandment that women must not wear men's clothing and visa versa (Deut. 22:5). Since trousers were originally created as a man's garment, women are therefore forbidden to wear them according to most rabbinical authorities.

Though the common requirement is for skirts to be at least knee-length, many Orthodox Jews as a precaution extend the length, wearing only skirts that reach as far down as the ankle. Other Modern Orthodox women will permit even shorter skirts or altogether disregard this practice.

[edit] Pentecostals

Pentecostal women are likewise required to wear skirts because of the Biblical commandment that women must not wear men's clothing [1]. Also, wearing dresses is a sign of submissiveness.