Women's Dress
Halacha regarding modesty and community customs dictate the dress
code for women. This "code" is practiced primarily by
Orthodox Jews. Typically, women are expected to wear sleeves extending
at least to the elbow, blouses or dresses with necklines that
do not expose any cleavage and skirts long enough to cover the
knees when seated.
Pants or slacks may be allowed in certain instances. For example,
in many religious kibbutzim the women wear pants out of habit,
for the simple reason that they work in agricultural areas or
perform other activities where a skirt would be less modest. This
is the exception; however, when not performing these activities,
skirts are worn.
In addition, it is considered a breach of modesty for a married
woman to have uncovered hair while in the presence of men other
than her husband. Customs differ as to how much hair can be showing
beneath the head covering, or if a wig is better or worse than
a hat of some sort.
Unmarried women are not required to cover their hair, although
there are Sephardic customs that even unmarried women should "put
their hair up," so that it's not flying "wildly."
Sources: Shamash |