Kosher Fashions: Tzniut: Restrictive or Liberating?

Kosher Fashions: Tzniut: Restrictive or Liberating?: Liberation Through Restriction: Why tzniut empowers women and teens.  As I watch the yeshiva girls walk out the school doors at the en...

Tzniut: Restrictive or Liberating?

Liberation Through Restriction: Why tzniut empowers women and teens. 

As I watch the yeshiva girls walk out the school doors at the end of the day, all dressed so similarly in long denim skirts and long sleeve shirts, I feel proud that we insist that each one  grow up to become a truly individual and liberated woman.  
Dressing according to the laws of tzniut ensures that they focus on their own personal achievements, talents, and unique gifts of personality and character. 
Anyone can copy the “Look” that society calls perfect and beautiful and lose one’s true self along the way. 
I enjoyed this article: A Modest Proposal: How Tzniut Liberates and Enriches, on OU.org by Dr. Chana Sosevsky, a teacher at Michlala and Machon Gold, and resident director of Touro College Israel Option. Show it to others, and especially your daughters.  Modesty is not restrictive, conformity is. Liberation is about how we see ourselves. 

Sosevsky begins the article thus: A sad and poignant commentary on the state of society today is the popularity and acclaim of two books regarding the sexualization of society and the objectification of women. In Reviving Ophelia, a study about the growing emotional problems of adolescent girls today, psychologist Mary Pipher decries the threat to our youngsters based on the spread of what she terms “lookism,” the evaluation of a person on the basis of appearance. Pipher describes how in many American communities, girls are pressured to wear designer clothes, have straight white teeth, beautiful hair and fit into a size four. Then they read teenage magazines which tell them, “Don’t worry about feeling good or being good, worry about looking good”. Pipher mourns that “adolescence is when girls experience social pressure to put aside their authentic selves and to display only a small portion of their gifts” 

In her article, Dr. Sosevsky argues that: Tzniut is meant to de-emphasize the physical in order to allow the intellectual and spiritual aspects of oneself to shine through. Once women understand this, tzniut becomes a tool and an advantage, rather than a restrictive element in their lives.

She goes on to say: The famous injunction of the Sefer Hachinuch, “Acharei hamaasim nimshachim halevavot” (our hearts are influenced by our actions) is particularly relevant[....] [A woman or man] who dresses appropriately usually acts appropriately.  I've often heard my students say that when they used to conform to the dress codes of their religious high schools, they felt restricted; [...] they felt compelled to act less free [...] Indeed, such dress codes give young women a more authentic freedom: the freedom to focus on their spiritual  rather than their superficial selves.

In addition, she writes: The halachah is designed to make the world relate to a woman as a person and not as a female. The laws regarding length of skirts and sleeves, etc. are a set of guidelines which limit the exposure of woman’s body, and should serve as a reminder to her as to how to comport herself with dignity.

Perhaps the most important note to take from this article is the following:

"Women who see tzniut as an injunction to cover up and hide themselves miss the point entirely."

You can read the whole article here

Share your response on Kosher Fashions blog or on our Facebook page, we want to know how you feel. 

Win $50! Have you voted yet?!

Have you voted yet?
What are you waiting for?


Like us on Facebook, and comment on the photo in the link below - which of the 4 ensembles pictured do you like best?
The raffle will be held on 10/1 and the winner announced the same day.
The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Kosher Fashions - can be used online, or in person.

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Did you know that Kosher Fashions now offers a personal shopping experience, by appointment only?
Shop at your leisure, when you have the time, with a dedicated person to help you find the clothing that suits you best and is most flattering to your style and figure.
To win extra entries, share the photo on your own timeline, and retweet on Twitter!
And, if you "pin" the contest on Pinterest, you'll get yet another entry in the raffle. What are you waiting for? Who doesn't love free gift certificates?!

Giveaway! $50 Gift Certificate for Kosher Fashions!

There's still plenty of time to enter the contest!

Have you "liked" us on Facebook yet? If not, here's a really good reason to do so.
From now until September 30, simply comment on the photo in the link below, letting us know which of the 4 outfits you like best, and you will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate for Kosher Fashions!
To enter, simply like the Kosher Fashions Facebook page, and then comment on the photo with the 4 stylish ensembles!
To win extra entries, share the photo on your own timeline, and retweet on Twitter. Don't follow us on Twitter yet? Find us now!
And, if you "pin" the contest on Pinterest, you'll get yet another entry in the raffle. What are you waiting for? Who doesn't love free gift certificates?!

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Kosher Fashions: Cool Modest Clothing for a Hot Yom Tov

Kosher Fashions: Cool Modest Clothing for a Hot Yom Tov: As I sat in Shul on Rosh Hashana, my eyes surveyed the women’s section to see what everyone was wearing.  What a disappointment!  I needed ...

Cool Modest Clothing for a Hot Yom Tov

As I sat in Shul on Rosh Hashana, my eyes surveyed the women’s section to see what everyone was wearing.  What a disappointment!  I needed inspiration for my new Fall lineup but nearly everyone was still wearing their Summer clothes!  

I know that Summer lasts longer in Florida, Texas, California, etc., but this year the Jewish Holiday Season came so early it was still Summer up North!. 

Back when I lived in New York, I remember there were times when a Fall or Winter suit wasn't even warm enough for Succoth and Simchat Torah.  At night we sat in the Succah with coats on, and with our fan heaters blowing hot air on our ankles. 

Rosh Hashana was the time for ladies to show off their new Fall and Winter wardrobes. Labor Day was over and done, white no longer permitted, time for the warmer, darker tones to come out. 

I soooo wanted to see all the new Fall dresses and hats in preview and, alas, most ladies at shul were unwilling to compromise comfort for the "post Labor Day” seasonal wardrobe change. 

(To be honest, I wore a cream colored Fall suit the first day but switched back to my Summer clothes by the second.) 

Just as I was thinking about switching all of my merchandise to Fall/Winter I realized that maybe it is still too early.  After all, lightweight dresses and separates that are also tznius are not so easy to come by.  I guess we can’t just go by the calendar because women seem to be taking advantage of the hot weather and the fantastic sales to get something “new”.  

This trend can be seen across the board in many stores.  Some Fall items are in, but there are some great deals to be had on Summer clothing that is still in abundance. 

My suggestion is to stock up now on clearance items that you can wear now, and then layer when the weather gets a little cooler, and you will still enjoy as soon as the weather warms up again in early Spring. 

What was that again about global warming?  What did you wear for Yom Tov?  What will you wear, in white, for Yom Kippur?  What will you be wearing for Succoth? 

How will you stay comfortable, yet modestly clad, while sitting in your succah this Yom Tov? 

Check out our clearance and pick up some great items at below wholesale prices.  Oh, and look at some of the new Fall/Winter items I've started to showcase for those of you who can’t wait for things to cool off a bit. 

The Personal Shopper Experience

Have you ever had the luxury of using a personal shopper? Most high end stores will provide this service, and all the large department stores have the personal shopping experience available. There are many benefits to this service.

KosherFashions.com is now offering this service to women and girls in South Florida. For an appointment contact Rhea at (561) 715 3115. KosherFashions.com has tasteful, modest and quality clothing at prices that will make you smile.

In department stores you describe what you are looking for, or the event you are shopping for, or what piece of clothing you want to replace, and the personal shopper will go from rack to rack, pulling out suitable items of clothing. They will be in your size - the well trained personal shopper can guess your correct size by a quick glance - and they should be flattering to your shape.
Some stores charge for the experience, others simply reward the sales consultant with a percentage of what she succeeds in selling you. But either way, it's a great experience for the shopper, because just this once, you have your own stylist! Many women will tell you that they would never have purchased "this dress" if someone else hadn't pulled it out and had them try it on.

The problem with shopping at department stores or the mall, is the arduous process of elimination! With KosherFashions.com we promise to help you develop your own personal image and style without overwhelming you with non-tznius items. Don't look like everyone else! Privacy and discretion are guaranteed, the hours are those that work best for you, with someone devoted only to helping you find the perfect clothes.

Few women will veer away from their day to day style and try something new on. However, if someone else suggests trying something on, most women will at least try. And many will be surprised at how something different can look awesome.

Imagine a local, small retailer wanted to offer "by appointment only" hours, at times to suit women from all walks of life - working women, stay at home mothers, retirees etc. You make the phone call, give a little information over the phone about what you are looking for, the size you generally wear. Arrange a time to shop, and bring a friend for good measure. You have one to one service. Someone who is ready to help you find the perfect outfit. Whether for a bar-mitzvah, or a graduation, a holiday or a new job - the personal shopper is yours for the hour. Now you have that, on your doorstep. The High Holydays are coming - don't wait any longer. Pick up the phone and call Rhea at (561) 715 3115 and make your appointment today! For more information you can also email: kosherfashions@gmail.com or rhea@kosherfashions.com

Out of the darkness, into the light

During the period of the nine days (from Rosh Chodesh Av until the fast of Tisha b'Av) it is the custom not to purchase new clothing, nor to wear new clothing that has not previously been worn. Many also have the custom not to launder clothes, or to wear laundered clothes. As we go through this introspective time, we should let go of what does not serve us well, and create space for new, wonderful amd useful things to come our way. We evaluate our behavior towards our fellow man, and also our relationship with Hashem and our midot. It's a great time for taking on another chumrah (stringency), something to strengthen your faith. For some, that may be dressing in a more appropriate manner. Taking pains perhaps, to only wear shirts with elbow length sleeves, or to always cover one's knees. This is a good time for us to go through our closets, and remove those items of clothing that no longer belong.

Let's face it, certain aspects of the 80s just shouldn't make a comeback...
Image courtesy of  http://80soutfit.com/

It is never easy to physically get rid of things. Whether it is the junk in the garage that might be useful again one day, or the clothes in our closet that haven't been worn in a long time, it's a process, and it requires determination and commitment. But the end result is similar to that feeling after the fast - you feel cleansed, detoxed and ready to start again (alright, maybe not immediately after the fast, but once you've had something to eat and drink). So use this time of year to cleanse your closet, ready to start fresh after Tisha b'Av.

Let's walk through the process together and keep it simple. Start by choosing one section of your closet. Shirts. Remove all your shirts and put them on your bed. If you haven't worn a shirt for a year or more, give it away.
If it has a stain that will not budge, give it away. If it's a shirt you purchased on impulse, but have nothing to wear it with, put it in a secondary pile - to be decided later. Once you have your piles of "keep", "giveaway", and "tbd", return the "keep" items to your closet, and move on to the next section - skirts. Work the same way, removing those that have not been worn for a long time, or that no longer fit, are ripped, are stained etc. Add to your existing piles. Perhaps you'll find a skirt you forgot about it that matches that impulse-buy shirt! Perhaps not... Are there skirts that are too short? Skirts that sit too low on the hips, revealing your belly button and you have no matching top that hangs long enough? Give it away!
On and on you go, and soon, your closet will not only be neat and organized, but it will contain only the clothing that you actually wear. Don't forget to go through socks and underwear while you're at it. And shoes! (Don't worry, now you'll have an excuse to buy more shoes!)

Now look at the clothes that remain. They should all fit with your style, they should make you feel good, they should make you feel dressed appropriately. So now you have all this extra space in the closet, it's time to go shopping baby! And come on, we all need a little retain therapy once in a while, especially after the nine days when we are forbidden from buying new clothes...

Available at Kosher Fashions website

Kosher Fashions is pleased to inform you that we have a post-Tisha b'Av sale beginning on July 17. Stay tuned, and bookmark the Kosher Fashions webstore. Everything must go!

Fun In The Sun: Modest Swimwear

Once upon a time, in the early days of the 20th century, the beach was a wholesome “family water park”.  It was not only free, but also a great vacation spot for those who didn't head up to the mountains for the summer.  It was a respectable place where families enjoyed the sun, sand and surf.  Of course women wore more substantial bathing suits then which resulted in fewer awkward moments; like when bikinis magically disappear into a large wave. Sunburn just didn't happen on one's behind. Women dressed more modestly back then, and bathing suit fashion took on a whole new dimension. Swimwear was more substantial, and required more design and fabric than most bathing suits today. Alas, our vintage photos are in black & white so we don’t see the wonderful colors they wore.

Image from http://weheartvintage.co/ 1920s swimwear

A century later, in many places it has become acceptable to swim, sun, and just hang out at the beach or pool practically naked! Depending on where you are, your birthday suit may be just fine.  Is it really “fine” for us, for our daughters, our granddaughters?  Do we teach them one way and then allow them to dress another way for the water?

Girls' sizes also available!

For women who hold the midah of tzniut, (virtue of modesty) dear, shopping for a bathing suit can be a real challenge.  It needs to be modest, trendy, slimming, made of quality buoyant fabric with SPF protection for water and sun safety.  No easy trick you say?   Using modern machines, newer fabrics, and updated designs you can experience the water fun of summer with a modest twist.  Enjoy it all in comfortable coverage!

Kosher Fashions is excited to announce that we now carry a large selection of modest women’s and girl’s bathing suits and active wear which is available for purchase in our online store. The Aqua Modesta brand bathing suits are made for the fashion conscious, modest woman, who does not compromise comfort and style in order to remain covered up. The bathing suits are made of high quality material, with built-in UV protection, and are chlorine /salt water resistant. They continue to look great and hold their shape even after many hours in the ocean or water park. The fabric is quick drying, and run very true to size. They are available in a large range of sizes for women, girls and even maternity.

This, and others, available from Kosher Fashions

When your girls leave yeshiva day school for the summer, make sure they take the values they learned with them.  Encourage them to be consistent during vacation time by dressing in modest swim wear, and maintaining a high level of tzniut, even while having fun in the sun.  Let them be the shining light that shows others and proves to themselves, that looking good, true attractiveness, is not ever related to public displays of skin overexposure.

Today we know that too much sun exposure can be dangerous, we slather ourselves and our children with SPF50+  until we look like an iced birthday cake, and we wear hats to keep our scalps from burning.  Oh, we ladies have bikinis, tankinis and monokinis, all of which expose more of our “womanhood” than most women are comfortable with. And let's not even begin to discuss the ongoing saga of hair removal necessary for Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikinis.

Available here in 3 colors

By wearing swim wear that covers the parts of one's body that are normally covered, we are protecting our bodies from unnecessary sun exposure, and we are maintaining a level of modesty that often gets forgotten during the summer months.

Think of all the money you will save on sunscreen!

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter (@kosherfashions) and "like" our Facebook  page! We are now on Pinterest too!

What is Modest Dress?

Ask ten orthodox Jewish women what “modest dress” means to them, chances are that you will get at least 5 different answers, maybe even ten! The idea of “tznius” or “modesty” in Judaism is certainly nothing new, but as secular fashion gravitates towards showing more and more skin, it becomes a lot harder for the Modern Orthodox woman to define what is acceptable as “modest attire”. 

Why is it so important to dress in a way that covers much of the body? An article on chabad.org attests that a Jewish woman does not hide her body for fear of tempting a man to sin, but rather, views her body as a holy creation of G-d, and therefore sacred. In the same way that we keep the Torah Scroll fully covered except when we are reading from it, our bodies should be completely clothed except when we are revealing ourselves to our spouse. It’s a beautiful concept. The author is careful to point out that men should also dress modestly; they too should keep their bodies covered.

The debate over which parts of the body need to be covered is where the lines gray. Some women are content with covering elbows, thighs and cleavage while some hold that “tznius” means covering arms to the elbow, legs to just below the knee, and the torso up to the collarbone. Yet others believe that sleeves should reach below the elbow, with only a “tefach” (fist sized area) of arm showing, skirts must go well below the knee, with stockings worn to cover the rest of the leg and ankles, and the collarbone must never show. And common sense should dictate that clothing is never worn so tight so as to leave nothing to the imagination. I mean, you can wear a floor length, high necked, long sleeved dress, but if it's skin tight, well, it’s hardly modest, is it?

So, where does the modest Jewish woman shop for clothes? Fashionable clothes that need little to no alterations. Feminine clothes, that leave plenty to the imagination, yet are not old fashioned? A new website, www.kosherfashions.com has just launched, and they are offering a wide range of clothing just for modestly dressed women. Check out the website – it is still in its infancy, but will soon grow. Kosher Fashions welcomes comments and suggestions, which you can send to kosherfashions@gmail.com

 

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