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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 14 votes

    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 7 votes

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

  • Exodus 28:42 5 votes

    You shall make them linen pants to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the waist even to the thighs.

  • 1 Peter 3:3-4 4 votes

    Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing, but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.

  • 1 Timothy 2:9-10 3 votes

    In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.

  • 1 Peter 3:3 3 votes

    Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing,

  • 1 Peter 3:2-4 2 votes

    seeing your pure behavior in fear. Let your beauty come not from the outward adorning of braiding your hair, and of wearing gold ornaments or of putting on fine clothing, but from the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in God’s sight.

  • Proverbs 7:10 2 votes

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

  • 1 Timothy 2:8-10 2 votes

    I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting. In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety, not with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing, but with good works, which is appropriate for women professing godliness.

  • 1 Peter 3:5 2 votes

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

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