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Spots, Stripes and Tznius: THE CONSENSUS
(This article originally appeared in the Jewish Press column “Beauty and the Bellabusta.”)
Last week I discussed the rising popularity of animal prints in fashion and inquired as to the inherent qualities of wearing them. (See the “Spots, Stripes and Tznius: Animal Prints and Modesty”) Are they intrinsically immodest because they represent something wild and untamed? Or do wearing animal prints elevate them into something sacred, the same way they were elevated when used in the Mishkan?
I posed this question on my blog, Facebook and Imamother.com (an online community and discussion forum for frum women). Predictably, the feedback I received was in the form of a typical bell curve. A few women thought animal prints are inappropriate to wear at all and would even hesitate dressing their young daughters in them. Another small number did not see any problems with the prints at all, and likened them to any other textile pattern, such as paisley or stripes. But the majority of women regarded wearing animal prints as an exercise in moderation. In other words, wearing a pair of leopard print flats or a cheetah belt can be refined, but wearing the prints excessively can look cheap and immodest.
Here are some of my favorite comments on the subject:
“To me, there are two issues: tznius and tacky-ness. Tacky is never appropriate, unless it’s Purim and you’re dressing as a Jerry Springer guest. With animal prints, I take a “less-is-more” approach, and I think they can be fun used as an accent to a simple outfit, as opposed to a fashion bungle in the jungle.”
“I think any pattern/color worn moderately can be tzanua…a belt, shoes, scarf or even just a top or skirt… Totally chic and fine! On a side note, the same goes for the color red…”
“I fail to see the difference, tzniut-wise, between a zebra or tiger stripe and a candy stripe, or between a leopard or dalmation spot and a polka dot. It’s a textile pattern. Big deal. If it’s very large and very loud, then it’s like any very large and very loud print, be it animal, vegetable or mineral. If a skirt is tight and short, then it’s tight and short whether it’s a leopard print or that fabric most beloved of frum ladies, solid black.”
“Personally I feel animal prints nearly always look trashy… If frum people wear it, it looks bad to the secular world. I would never wear any animal print of any kind nor put any on my kids.”
“…A simple cardigan or ballet flats, all of which can be found now in animal print, are fine in terms of tsnius. It’s just hard, in my opinion, to find stuff that looks nice and not tacky with such a print.”
“The intention is a zillion times more important than any object, print and even action. A woman can wear animal print just for her own enjoyment or to attract second looks. It’s up to her. Only Hashem is gonna know the truth.”
“Hashem designed these animals with such beautiful patterns that are so simply beautiful. We as humans did not get clothed the way animals did, instead we have to make our own clothes, and come up with ways to make our clothes beautiful. Why not choose from designs that Hashem alone painted?”
Amy of “Flying a Kite”
Since I started writing about animal prints, I am seeing them absolutely everywhere. In high end boutiques and cheaper stores, on handbags, shoes, scarves, tights, and even on jewelry. This trend is proving hard to ignore. If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to include animal prints in your wardrobe, see the post “Levels of Leopard - From Tame to Fierce” where I feature leopard prints outfits of varying intensities - all modest, of course!
