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What does the Bible say about women wearing pants?

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The Bible does not specifically forbid women from wearing pants, but it calls both men and women to modesty, sexual purity, and honoring God’s created order. Deuteronomy 22:5 warns against deliberately obscuring the distinction between male and female, so Christians should consider whether their dress communicates and respects that distinction within their culture. Exodus 28:42 shows that undergarments served modesty, not a universal clothing style. First Timothy 2:9-10 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 emphasize respectable apparel and the greater beauty of godly character over outward display. Therefore, a woman may wear pants with a clear conscience when they are modest, appropriate, and not chosen to reject womanhood or provoke sensual attention.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Deuteronomy 22:5

    A woman shall not wear men's clothing, neither shall a man put on women's clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to Yahweh your God.

  • 1 Timothy 2:9

    In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

  • Exodus 28:42

    You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach:

  • 1 Peter 3:3-4

    [3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.

  • 1 Timothy 2:9-10

    [9] In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; [10] but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.

  • 1 Peter 3:3

    Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing;

  • 1 Peter 3:2-4

    [2] seeing your pure behavior in fear. [3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.

  • Proverbs 7:10

    Behold, there a woman met him with the attire of a prostitute, And with crafty intent.

  • 1 Timothy 2:8-10

    [8] I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. [9] In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; [10] but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works.

  • 1 Peter 3:5

    For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God, also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands:

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