By R.L.
I am not here to talk about the issues with leggings or to judge those who wear them. I have plenty of close family and friends wearing them and I haven’t lost my respect for any of them. I actually understand them.
I am only here to talk to those individuals who share the same sentiments as me and I would like to create support for those who are seeking it.
I am speaking to those who have a sensitivity to this area in tznius. If this topic triggers you, please don’t read it. It’s not written for you.
When leggings first came in style I remember being shocked. Pants?! And even as this has become a trend over the years, I still haven’t come to terms with it. I refused to accept for myself something that looks like pants. As a chossid of the Rebbe, I feel compelled to keep the Rebbe’s standards. I cannot imagine myself walking by the Rebbe for dollars wearing leggings.
I cannot control those around me, but I can inspire my children and support those who care about it as much as me. I want my girls to stay strong and stand against the tide.
I am not only concerned about the halachic aspect of covering the actual skin (which is almost impossible to ensure a young teen will be committed enough to be careful about).
I am concerned about the look of pants. This is just something that has really stooped us so low and desensitized our entire standard in tznius.
As our children get older and they see everyone around them wearing it, they have pressure to be like everyone else.
So how can we as parents support and inspire our young daughters to stand strong in the face of so many of their friends?
Yes, I’ve heard the saying too many times- better to lose the battle and win the war. It’s not worth the fight. Let them have what their friends have and stop making it a big deal. And the truth is that part of me doesn’t want to make it into a big issue. Just allow it and move on.
But does it really have to be so? Do we have to give in to this goyishe trend just because there is so much pressure? What happened to veniflinu? What happened to standards? How can we stand strong?
I farbrenged with my daughters about it. About sensitivity to the nuances of tznius and aidelkeit. About the beauty of who we are as yiddishe women. About the zechus and responsibility as the Rebbe’s chassidim. About the brochos that come with tznius. About being a leader and standing strong against peer pressure.
I saw the spark in their eyes. They felt empowered. They understood the beauty. They themselves felt uncomfortable actually putting on leggings, as they knew it would make them feel “grub” and cool. They are BH aidele kids and as much as they want to fit in socially, they realize this is not who they really are. They know (on their own, not from me telling them) that starting to wear them will be a step down in their standards.
They want to be strong. But it is very hard. The struggle is real and they would need a lot of support to be able to stand strong.
So I thought of an idea.
When it comes to peer pressure, often all that’s needed is to have a few, sometimes even just one friend who you will stand strong together with. When you have a friend to back you up, you find inner strength within yourself, even when you’re not actually together with your friend all the time. Knowing you both share the same values and are brave enough to stand strong, gives a tremendous amount of chizuk to hold your head high and be proud of what you believe in.
I suggested to my girls to find a friend who doesn’t wear leggings and to reach out to her to ask if she would be interested in making a hachlata to stand strong together, no matter what is going on around them.
They would be leaders. They will start a trend of girls who care about aidelkeit in tznius. They will be an example for all the rest of their friends. People will look at them and say- It is possible to look beautiful and tzniusdik too!
Let us empower the next generation to notch up the standards in our community once again. To inspire a new generation of girls and women who will make the Rebbe proud. Encourage your daughters to find a friend or two with whom they will stand strong. And together we can make a real change.
Just as the yidden were taken out of golus mitzrayim in the zechus of lo shinu es levusham, may we merit in the zechus of our tznius to be taken out of golus immediately now!
Beautiful article ! Sadly the new styles may be tznius in law but nowhere in spirit especially befitting of a chassid !
in life, the will to not cave in to peer pressure in any way, is very important. This is something every jew should develop deep within themselves.
Thank you for writing about this topic!
תזכי למצוות
Not sure what you’re referring to? Most leggings are quite similar to tights, they are tight against the skin and white thin. The only diff is that they have a seam. What’s the tznius issue?
Do u mean people are wearing them with a gap, and u can see their skin? pls clarify! I see nothing wrong with wearing leggings in place of tights. I consider myself a very tznius person. I wear leggings almost daily.
So maybe you don’t dress so tzniusly
I also had the same thought as you. To make sure I asked a rabbi and he explained that theye are very diiferent. I’m sure (hope) that you did too and are acting accordingly….
I’m old fashioned tsnius. I was goingbto write exact same thing. I Wore leggings way before anyone bec I love the cotton and cannot wear pantyhose. I wore knee socks on top. Yes to me they are like cotton tights. Now if there’s a gap between leggings and socks ,I can c it feels like pants maybe maybe. To me they are like cotton tights. Article needs clarification.
I also wear leggings for comfort. I asked a Rav and was told there’s no issue. I do understand that it gives off a less dressed up look, but so do hoodies. If I’m fine going out in a sweater I see no reason not to go out in leggings.
That being said, I do enjoy looking put together and try not to wear either leggings or hoodies in CH.
This article is beautiful in that it has a practical action involved so amazing job.
Footless tights with boots work wonders!
They are talking about the gap between the leggings and socks which has become very normal sadly . Instead if our girls looking like girls part of Chabad chasidim they are looking like modax girls.
Al pi Halacha it’s considered PANTS!!!!
Not my psak, but from a Lubavitcher Rov!
Leggings should not be worn in a public place, even when one fully covers their skin with socks. Put simply: Leggings that are visible and identifiable to onlookers as leggings (in other words, it’s obvious that they are not tights…) are a breach of Tznius. The same idea applies to a woman wearing pajama pants under a skirt in public.
If one wears a skirt which covers the legs entirely until the foot with socks it will be allowed to wear the leggings below.
https://asktherav.com/1482-is-it-a-halachic-issue-for-a-woman-to-wear-leggings-if-the-leggings/#more-5977
Leggings are not pants, they just look shlumpy and not put together
Leggings are not pants
But they look exactly the same as tights
Leggings are pants . They are meant to be worn alone, as pants as you see by the non-Jewish world.
I disagree, in secular schools kids are often not allowed to wear yoga pants/leggings on their own. They get dress coded. Many places are not ok with the “athleisure” trend
B”H most of the girls who wear leggings wear them with skirts. if there is someone who wears it without a skirt that is a different issue and has nothing to do with the rest of the girls
if you are in need of good leggings i would be happy to share some links with you
💪
I did something similar with pantyhose. So many women I know stopped wearing them, so I found my “pantyhose buddies” to remind each other we’re not the only ones left 🙂
I love this but I feel like there are more stinger things that we should encourage our girls to do
If you can encourage them for both then kol hakavod but “choose ur battles”
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This is a genuine question.
Why are leggings not tznius under a skirt?
They are not made for men… Also What is the difference between panty hose and leggings (from a tznius aspect)
I have always been confused about this and would love if someone can explain it to me. Perhaps the author?
Leggings: you can see most of the time the foot of that women, its slimmer in look and expresses more your shape of body
Tights: cover your feet, doesnt express your shape and a overall look – giving that impression to the viewer ( I’m not referring to see through or 20 denier tights, I’m referring to the accepted norm of 40 – 60 denier)
How does wearing leggings make you ‘slimmer in look’ than any pair of tights?
Both leggings and tights cover the same part of your legs, exactly the same way (if we’re not discussing a possible gap between leggings and socks)
Leggings are usually baggier
This person clearly never wore tights or leggings before.
How are leggings “slimmer “ than tights?
Both stick to the leg. Unless you get a size that’s 3 times too big. Doesn’t matter the denier. That’s how they are made!
In my view, leggings are just like any other article of clothing made for women that could be worn tzniusly or not. No one out here is calling to ban button down shirts or quarter zips because they could be worn in a non tznius way. Why are leggings different?
If I never wore tights or leggings, I walked around bare legged?! Thanks for your false assumption when I wore tights all my life. It’s like mini skirts vs uniform skirts. Uniform skirts is not 3 times bigger but more a generalized refine look and fit vs mini skirts goes above the knee and sticks to your body shape. If you feel comfortable wearing leggings or mini skirts then my answer isn’t for you.
Back in Russia tights didn’t exist. When they became popular, somebody probably wrote an article about it in the local paper lamenting the loss of their tznius standards. Then, they somehow become to standard of tznius.
Ein kol chadash. One day leggings will be the pinnacle of tznius.
Tights, panthose, and leggings cover up the entire leg better than socks or knee highs. They are also practical for cold weather. The tznius problem is the tight and/or short dresses and skirts. As a woman of 80+years, I am more comfortable tznius-wise with these options.
ask them not to sell short clothing
All three cover the leg and keep you warm. As long as the skirt over it is long enough and not tight, what is the difference? That leggings are “cool?
I agree with this woman: tight clothing is a serious problem!! Not just for girls, but for those wearing maternity outfits as well.
Wow Thank you for addressing this topic so beautifully!
Personally i find leggings when put together in a non-shlumpy way, is actually way more tnius than tights, if i do say so myself. Why, when little girls are playing outside in the park, do i have to see everything under the skirt? i find that less tznius than your “problematic leggings”. Especially those of us that have a sensitivity issue with tights. Stop trying to put us down. I think the bigger problem is non tznius stockingsand bare legs.
Moshiach Now!!!!
Everyone have their own trigger point about things that our community blindly follow,
For me, the idea of smartphone and technology devices for every age seems unreasonable.
I wish that people in our community will be more strong about preventing smartphone from children and youth to help them overcome the peer pressure.
If you buy the proper leggings they can look aidel and put together. For teens who are more active, from walking, running or sports. Tights are uncomfortable and unpractical. If you want your kids to look aidel, that’s great. For everyone else it might not be. Wearing black socks with black legging is just as nice as tights and is comfortable
Thank you!
Yes schools should have a rule no leggings that will take away the peer pressure and smart phones shouldn’t be brought to school. Why do our young children have to see their friends got a smart phones so I need to.. Lubavitch schools you have the power to make changes so our daughters won’t have this peer pressure.
I’ve used this for myself, I found a buddy who stays strong in what the rebbe says about family planning and we support eachother
Leggings do not look like pants at all
If anything they look more like footless tights
The problem, as I see it, is the part of the lower leg or ankle that shows out between the bottom of the leggings and the anklets that are worn. The girls may not even realize that the skin shows there because they check themselves in front of the mirror, standing in one place, but as they walk, the leggings go up and yes, the skin does show too many times.
Why is it becoming the norm?
Unless its coverd VERY WELL at the ankle…..
And what happened to skirts covering the knee even when sitting?
Lets all make the Rebbe proud!!
Thanks for the article. I’m happy I’m not the only mother who doesn’t allow her daughter leggings. I wish she wouldn’t be the only girl in her class though that doesn’t have. Please fellow lubavitchers let’s up the tznius standard together.
What about footless tights?
I think the author means leggings that are worn with anklets or no socks at all thus giving the impression of pants. However, sadly that’s not the only issue with leggings. For some odd reason some who wear leggings also wear their skirts above their knees probably thinking that the leggings are covering their knees and that’s good enough. Why in our community do women and girls feel the need to wear their skirts short? What a shame.
There are many bh who wear leggings and cover their knees
Agreed. I’ve noticed that most of the girls in the community who are wearing Leggings also don’t cover the knees. They probably think it’s a compensation .
The girls are wearing footless tights with socks (or shoes) that cover. If you ask a Rav, he will say that as long as it looks like tights it’s the same as tights. I allowed my daughter to wear footless tights with socks that cover the gap completely once she started high school. More covering is more tznius in this case. And footless tights are much more comfortable than regular tights. I understand wanting to cling to the way things used to be but I am putting myself aside in order to do what’s best for my daughter. I do… Read more »
im a teen and <3 <3 <3 this comment thats the best mother view out there
why is this even a question?
why are the other chassidusen like satmar not struggling with this? all their women dress tznius.
throw out all devices
Not all girls have social media on their phone. Many have it blocked.
I agree! That is WAY more of a problem then leggings!!!!
Leggings are another thick layer paired together with a skirt that is just way too hot for the summer. Theyre thicker than tights and unlike tights ,they can be worn in the secular world on their own,wheras tights are always worn under a skirt or dress. This makes leggings an acceptable version of pants. Regardless, so many people have started to mindlessly wear leggings nowadays. Before you start doing something that’s trending, ask yourself if it’s even your style to begin.
Most girls wearing leggings are wearing them because they are more comfortable and not because it’s some “fashion trend”. I’ve seen girls wearing leggings and you wouldn’t even notice unless you were up close, looked completely like tights. All of those girls are wearing booties as their shoes so you can’t even see a gap. And if you’re saying that leggings are bad, what about footless tights with socks, especially when there is no gap. There is an importance for girls to feel comfortable in their clothing. If they get told off or given a tznius speech it’s not going… Read more »
Nylon is a recent invention. I dont see why its required to cover our legs properly, when it fact, leggings are opaque and totally conceal! Back in the shtetl, stockings were probably loose and baggy and looked a lot different than the sheer nylon women wear now. Also, stockings get so expensive and leggings last forever. I do see that a gap can show, but if someones consciountious and cares, its usually not an issue.
Its what comes after First you will only wear leggings with no gap but then maybe at home you are less careful, and if you have a gap at home you might as well always have a gap, and if your wearing leggings with a gap its probably time for start wearing a skirt that goes just over your knee, but then might as well stop covering the knee all together. Seriously, I find no real problem with leggings itself, but mostly how it makes you feel like you went a step down in Tznius (and then you might as… Read more »
One leads to the next. I have a good friend from a fine home who would never have her legs show. First it started with Leggings and knee socks on top. Then it transitioned to Leggings with ankle socks. Then… It’s pretty much just setting up someone to be nichshol in this area. Tights are tights. Leggings are Leggings and much simpler to move down a Notch in tznius
Thin stretchy tights are so much more comfortable than leggings,especially under a skirt. If I could choose, I’d rather wear just leggings or just a skirt . But not both at the same time.
When I was in Bais Rivka high school 25 years ago the rule was tights…. majority of the girls wore knee socks even in very cold weather. Most complained that they found tights uncomfortable. Girls who were less into tznius did short socks…. today summer and winter you will find most girls legs completely covered – they can run, skip and jump freely with comfort….they are not constantly getting in trouble that their knees are showing. I see it as a real blessing. My daughters dress tznius happily – leggings or footless tights are found to be very comfortable by… Read more »
I’ve been wearing leggings since beis rivka 5th grade, it’s been over 15 years. I have not once been told I like not tznius, and unfortunately, never been told they look slimming.
There are rules regarding pants, back when the Torah was given, it wasn’t a man nor a woman’s way of dress, which is why it isn’t assur to wear pants to sleep, leggings, etc.
Stop trying to call out other people’s standards of tznius especially during this time. Just have a private conversation with your daughter
You could not have said it better! Are we not going to allow a short sleeve or sleeveless dress with a shirt underneath because it can be worn in a not tznious way? As long as the knee is covered and the rest of the leg is covered underneath it, it does not matter what it is covered by. Please be careful by how restrictive you get and start separating chumras from Halacha clearly.
“I am only here to talk to those individuals who share the same sentiments as me and I would like to create support for those who are seeking it.
I am speaking to those who have a sensitivity to this area in tznius. If this topic triggers you, please don’t read it. It’s not written for you.”
Clearly you are no the intended audience
I like to wear cotton tights and not nylon pantyhose because of that. Also money wise tights can last a full season or even more.
It’s tznius, comfortable and it’s look put together with sport or boots.
Please stop saying that we are not Chabad girls and not znius.
I do wear pantyhose for events with an elegant dress.
We Are Tznius!!!
I find leggings under skirts super tznius! Haven’t noticed the secular world wearing leggings with skirts, it’s purely a frum cool comfy look. Not very classy but great for kids and teens! What’s happened to covering elbows? This is a real halachic issue!
יישר כוחך to the writer of this article, it is definitely a topic that should be adressed, and each of us should really find out what the issues may be with leggings, and consult with a רב. I would like to mention two things: One point that may not have been mentioned yet: I see with friends and younger girls that while wearing leggings they are MUCH MUCH less careful about covering their knees (and above). They will end up sitting or lounging on the couch with their skirt way above their knees, becuase the leggings give a sense of… Read more »
Sometimes when you focus on the little details too much you miss the bigger picture.
Thank you for making this public and accesible to everyone to read and we more aware of it.
When leggings became stylish, I said we are copying the styles of Hindu’s and Muslims. They wear that style (maybe more loose fitting ) with a dress on top. I don’t think I want to follow styles of the עובדי ע עבודה זרה.
I read this article to my daughter. She is 9yrs. We found it extremely inspiring since there is a huge pressure in her class to wear leggings. We spoke about it for a while and she really felt inspired to find a few friends that feel as we do. One the things that inspired her most was thought of what she is wearing is appropriate to see the Rebbe in by dollars. It made a huge impact on her. Thank you!!