Is it okay for Christian women to wear pants?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Pants were not a part of biblical cultures. In fact, modern jeans, as we know them, became popular in the 1800s. Women wearing pants became culturally acceptable in many Western societies during the 20th century, especially during World War II when women needed more functional clothing as they became a larger part of the work force. While pants were historically considered a "man thing," that association is cultural, not inherently biblical, as the Bible does not directly define specific articles of clothing by gender. The passage in Deuteronomy 22:5 that prohibits men from wearing women’s clothes and women from wearing men’s clothes does not apply in this context since pants are not exclusively men’s clothing in many places. The Bible does not prohibit women from wearing pants. Women can clearly wear pants in most situations without it being a concern. The Bible's focus is on serving God and dressing modestly. Whether women choose to wear pants or not, they should choose to honor God with their lives—including what they wear and their attitudes around it.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Some who advocate against women wearing pants cite Deuteronomy 22:5, which says, "A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God." But there are some problems with the application of this passage. First, this command was to the Israelites living under the Law of Moses and does not directly apply to Christians today. Second, pants are not viewed by Western culture as only a male piece of clothing, but as something both men and women commonly wear.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Regarding appearances, Paul writes, "Women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9–10).
• In 1 Peter 3:3–4, we also find, "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." The focus is on the inward beauty of a woman, rather than a focus on external clothing. A woman who wears pants can be both modest and not focused on outward adornment.
• In Colossians 3:20, Paul wrote, "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” If parents teach their girls to wear skirts or dresses instead of pants, even if it is not otherwise a biblical requirement, then those girls should honor and obey their parents.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As Christian women, our clothing choices should reflect a heart that seeks to honor God and prioritizes modesty, humility, and love for others. While wearing pants is culturally acceptable in most contexts and not inherently sinful, we should exercise discernment in how our choices affect others, especially in settings where cultural or personal sensitivities might differ (Romans 14:13). In every situation, we are called to prioritize our inner beauty—the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3–4)—over outward appearances. Ultimately, whether we wear pants or dresses, our focus should remain on glorifying God in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible does not prohibit women from wearing pants.
• Scripture emphasizes modesty and inward beauty over outward adornment.
• Christian women should consider how their clothing impacts others and honor God in all choices.

REFLECT

• How do your clothing choices reflect your desire to honor God and prioritize modesty?
• Have you ever felt pressured to dress in a certain way because of cultural or personal expectations? How did you handle it?
• How can you ensure your attitude about clothing aligns with a heart focused on inner beauty, rather than outward appearances?

ENGAGE

• How can we encourage others in making clothing choices that reflect modesty and honor God without being judgmental?
• How can cultural perspectives on clothing challenge or complement biblical principles of modesty?
• How can we navigate differences in convictions about clothing while prioritizing unity and love in Christ?