I wrote a while back that I was going to try wearing skirts all the time this summer to see how I liked it. I have a lot of friends who do and wanted to give it a shot. Now, I should clarify, I don’t have any obligation to my church or to my husband to wear skirts all the time. Some at my church do and some don’t. My husband doesn’t care one way or another. In fact, he likes seeing me in pants once in a while, but he didn’t mind me trying this out. I don’t believe that wearing skirts all the time is a scriptural calling, so this was simply an experiment to see if it made a difference in my life.
I’ve been thinking about this from a few different angles and want to share those with you.
Should I Continue Wearing Skirts Daily?
1. My heart: I kind of wondered if wearing skirts all the time would make a difference in my heart at all. I didn’t. I can honestly say that I’m not closer to God due to wearing skirts this summer. I didn’t really expect to be, but I wanted to get that out there right now. I didn’t start feeling like I was better or holier than anyone else because I was wearing skirts. It really didn’t make a difference to me.
2. The way others treated me: Among my family and close friends, it didn’t seem to make a difference at all. Everyone knows me and loves me for who I am on the inside, not what I’m wearing on the outside. Where it DID make a difference was in people who didn’t know me. And it was interesting to see the different responses. Now, this wasn’t a scientific experiment, just my personal observations. It seemed that when I was out and about this summer, people treated me differently. When I had all the children with me, it didn’t make much of a difference. Where it really made a difference was when I was alone or out with just the baby. Then, people tended to treat me more like a lady. I had more doors opened for me this summer than I have in a long time. It’s like wearing a skirt almost forces people to notice that you’re a female. It was really interesting.
3. Convenience: There are some tasks that were simply more difficult in a skirt. I’ve heard women say that they can wear skirts and do ANYTHING. Well, I won’t argue that they CAN do anything, but is it really convenient? For example, when picking strawberries in my skirt, I not only had to worry about stepping on my skirt, I also had to worry about getting berry juice on my skirt and getting bugs inside. Eew!! To be perfectly honest, I’ve given in and worn pants or capri’s a few times this summer to do yard work. They’re just so much more practical.
Conclusion: I won’t be wearing skirts all the time, but I will likely be wearing them more than I did in the past. I like reminding people in the world that men and women are different and I confess, I like being treated like a woman! It’s nice!
So, would you like to hear about my favorite skirts? I’d love to share!
My Favorite Skirts
This is my very favorite skirt. I got it years ago (like…when I was in high school or college) at Wal-Mart. It’s a tiered skirt with a drawstring and is so comfortable. I’ve worn it most of the summer. This picture was taken on Memorial Day. My sister and I had our babies very close together and to honor our grandparents who have both passed away, we took lots of pregnancy pictures at their grave site (and even made this video to announce my pregnancy), so this was a special picture for us.
This is probably my second favorite skirt. I love, love, love this comfortable chevron skirt from Deborah & Co. It’s dressy enough for church, but comfortable enough for every day use! I wear it at least once a week.
One can never have too many jean skirts…right? Well, this is another of my favorites! And the best thing about it? I found it at a thrift store, picked it up, bought it without trying it on, and it fits perfectly!! God provides, doesn’t He? This picture is one of the family pictures we had taken recently. The kids had a rough time and I wasn’t thrilled with their expressions in any of the pictures, but at least I was able to capture them at this time of our lives.
This was another fabulous thrift store find! The skirt AND the shirt! This is probably my favorite dressy skirt. I don’t wear it other than to church, but it’s nice to have some variety.
I have a few other skirts and I’ve found they’re SO much cheaper to pick up at thrift stores than pants are. They also tend to be more forgiving in fit (a BIG perk for this mama of three!!) than pants are.
So what about you? Do you wear skirts exclusively? Part of the time? None at all?
I really like what you said about reminding people that you are a woman. I only wear skirts and that is one of the main reasons why. God created me to be a woman and I want to show the world that I’m not fighting against who He created me to be!
I found this post very interesting and well balanced. During the past year I have moved in the opposite direction from a skirt/dresses only wearer to an occasional pants (trousers as I am from the UK) wearer. I gave the matter a lot of thought and prayer but am now glad I made the transition. I still regard modesty as a very important issue and dress modestly when wearing trousers.
I started a blog on my experiences at http://rebeccatriestrousers.blogspot.com
Rebecca
I wore skirts for 4 months during this past winter. Like you, it seemed that strangers were nicer, that I was perceived more respectable. I wear skirts probably half the time the time now but I do now dress more modestly than any other time in my life.
I have been wearing mostly skirts since in had my newest baby (3 months). I noticed the same thing regarding strangers treating me differently. I’m really enjoying wearing skirts. It’s been a fun change for me. I’ve always been a T-shirt and jeans girl.
I wear mostly skirts except when on vacation, working in the yard or working around the house and if it is hot outside. I then wear modest shorts. I also wear a headcovering even when I am wearing shorts.
What an interesting read, Jessica. Can you believe I’ve never worn anything but skirts? And I’m 50 too many. 🙂 I think when you are raised this way you never stop to think, “Could I do this easier in pants.” Loved that you explained you didn’t feel “holier.” Precious picture of you and your sister. A treasure for sure. ~Pamela
Hi there! Great post! I’m in the same boat as you– I don’t feel called to wear skirts all the time, and my husband doesn’t care either way. But there is a noticeable feeling of being more ladylike when I’m in a skirt. It’s fun! I manage townhomes, so lots of the time I’m in yoga pants (because scrubbing floors is just not fun in a skirt OR jeans!!), but I started wearing more skirts this summer, too (mostly because I wanted to make a lot of the ideas I saw on pinterest!), and I think I’ll continue wearing them more often. Thanks for the reminder about thrift stores and the fun details of your experiment! 🙂
I love that you started this and tried it out for the summer. I grew up wearing nothing but pants; and I also have a struggle with accepting my own feminine- I think that I have to be “tough” and kind of act like a man in order not to be vulnerable and weak. I have recently started a job where I can wear skirts- and when I am wearing them I feel like I a different…but I think that is just because I have a reminder to be a lady haha.
Thanks for your honest outlook and opinions. I don’t feel it is right or wrong to wear skirts or slacks, but I do dress modestly. Because I think skirts and dresses are WAY more comfortable than pants, I’ve been wearing mostly skirts for about five years. I can’t see going back!
Neat to read, and pictures are always fun! I’ve gone to skirts-only, and things like strawberry picking aren’t an issue for me at all. It’s probably partly getting used to it, and partly making sure you’ve got the right skirt for the occasion. It does require a little more thought than if you wear pants, and perhaps a few more different options. But I love being feminine, and I don’t feel modest in pants anymore because of the way they outline the legs and backside. (Yes, I know there are modest pants and plenty of immodest skirts around. Just saying how it works for me!)
Thanks for sharing your experiences!