Monday, November 14, 2011

Who Came Up With This?

There's a recent trend in Orthodox clothing that's making me crazy. It started a few years ago, when double-sleeved clothing became fashionable. For those not in the know, double sleeve is a short sleeve shirt made with long sleeves coming out of it, usually in a contrasting color. These shirts are sold all over, and are very popular at Old Navy, Gap and Carter's.


GREAT! Now there is Carte Blanche to put a "shell' under any shirt we can find. It doesn't matter how long or short the sleeve, if we just stick this long or three quartered sleeve spandex or cotton shirt under anything we wear, we can wear anything! Heck, we can even wear a flesh colored shell with a spaghetti strap tank top, because once we are putting shells under things we would never wear, why stop at short sleeves. In fact, why stop at shirts at all! Skirt or dress to short? Stick another skirt under it! Or a shell dress! Forget that, just put a pair of pants under a short denim skirt during the week, and BAM! You may look Muslim, but no one can say you aren't tzinyus. Plus you get the added benefit of everyone thinking you went to the gym. That is definitely a part of how THIS pants trend started, but I think it was a domino effect. Shirts under shirts, skirts under skirts, pants under skirts. Once you can tweak to be according to proper guidelines, it's all about the letter of the law.

Hey, here's an idea: If it's too short? DON'T WEAR IT!!!!

6 comments:

cynic said...

yes. why don't we dress more like the muslims anyway?

MBB said...

I would dress more like the Muslims, but I find that wearing a belt of explosives under my shirt tends to make me look too thick around the middle.

one is better than two said...

or how about the kid i know who stuck a pair of pajama pants under the first pair of pajama pants she was wearing that had huge rips at the knees?
does anyone see the point of that?

Anonymous said...

I don't understand why you have a problem. It is a creative way to wear clothing that appeals to you yet remain within the proscribed limits of decency. I'm all in favor of it.

fnim said...

well said, anonymous.
given the styles and fashions in today's day, it is difficult to find clothing that adheres to the halachot and spirit of tznius outside of jewish stores, which tend sell clothing for very high prices. it may sound ridiculous, but i think this is a development that is necessary for this generation, and a development which, thankfully, has become accepted in our circles.

FBB said...

If it doesn't adhere, then don't buy it. And it's a little too just on the line of pushing the envelope of tzniyus.