Recently, I had a casual chat with members in our online forum about how to tell a person’s church from their dress code. One member wanted to know more about the dress code of Jehovah’s Witnesses, saying he had never encountered one.
Since I had interacted with them so many times during my research project in Theology School and learned about their dress code, I helped him understand their dress code.
I decided to write this article for anyone else wondering the same thing. So, how do Jehovah’s Witnesses dress?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are required to dress modestly. Men are required to be in suits and ties for meetings. Women are required to be in skirts and dresses that go past the knees.
Join me in this article as I write about the type of clothes that Jehovah’s Witnesses wear to the Kingdom Hall. I will also write about whether they can wear designer outfits.
What is the dress code of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
All Jehovah’s Witness members are required to dress modestly and avoid tight and revealing clothes. Women are required to be dressed in modest skirts and dresses that go past the knees.
They are also allowed to use jewelry but with limitations; that is, they should not be so flashy and too much.
For the Jehovah’s Witness men, they are expected to be in business attire inspired by the 1950s style of whites. They are supposed to be in suits and ties.
Furthermore, they are to shave their beards.
Can I wear dress pants as a Jehovah’s Witness woman?
According to the rules of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you cannot wear pants as a woman in that denomination. They believe and insist that you should dress in a manner that distinguishes you from a man.
Pants are considered male outfits; therefore, if you wear them, you make yourself masculine. It is better to follow their rules that strictly restrict you from putting on pants if you are a Witness.
What type of clothing should be worn to Kingdom Hall?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are supposed to dress in ‘business outfits‘ inspired by the 1950s style to the Kingdom Hall.
They consider going to the Kingdom Hall as part of worship; therefore, men are supposed to dress in suits and ties and have their beards neatly shaven. Women are expected to be in very modest dresses and skirts.
They are forbidden from wearing pants to the hall.
Can Jehovah’s Witnesses wear designer clothes?
Jehovah’s Witnesses discourage their members from wearing designer clothes. They explain that most people dress in designer clothing to match their ego and attract attention, which is different from what a believer should do.
They also explain that when someone dresses in a designer outfit, they might make other members jealous either consciously or unconsciously.
They believe that Paul preached that believers need to dress in a manner that reveals their soundness. They believe that a person can dress in a good, modest style without being extravagant.
What can you wear to a Jehovah’s Witness wedding?
The Jehovah’s Witnesses do not have a specific dress code for weddings. However, they still insist that guests should be dressed modestly.
Since both non-witnesses and witnesses can attend their weddings, they encourage the non-witnesses to dress in a respectful manner to the event.
Therefore, you can wear dresses and skirts that are past the knees if you are a woman. If you are a man, you can wear a suit and a tie.
Why do Jehovah’s Witnesses wear suits?
They believe that wearing suits is a more modest way of making men look masculine as they should. They explain that God’s not pleased when men wear anything that lessens their masculinity and makes them more feminine.
They also believe that being in suits and ties is a good representation of any minister of God, which earns them respect from the people they preach to.
Also, they believe that modest dressing goes a long way in ensuring chastity among Witnesses.
Can female Jehovah’s Witnesses wear pants?
According to their rules, female Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot wear pants. They do not allow this because they believe that it tampers with gender roles.
According to them, God is displeased with any dress code that makes a woman look masculine. They also say that any dress code that makes it hard to distinguish a female from a male is not acceptable to God.
In addition, they believe that any form of dressing should glorify God, and females putting on pants is not glorifying according to them.
Therefore, the female Witnesses are advised to dress modestly, and pants are not viewed as modest.
Can Jehovah’s Witness wear crop tops?
Since a crop top shows all the skin in the stomach area, it is considered an inappropriate outfit for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
They are supposed to dress in a manner that is not provocative to anyone. In addition, they believe that whether a person is dressing for the meeting or casually, their outfit should glorify God and be dignifying.
A crop top is flashy and revealing; therefore, it is considered to be less dignified and more provocative.
As a Christian, I have always been passionate about sharing God’s word with young people. This inspired me to pursue a Certificate in Christian Education, an Undergraduate degree in Religious Studies, and a Graduate degree in Theology. My knowledge in school and experience from dealing with the youth made me an expert at discussing Christian-related topics. I feel privileged working as the Coordinator of the Christian Youth Ministry at Christian Faith Guide. You can read more about me on the about us page.
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