Oy! How Olivia Palermo became a style icon for Orthodox Jewish women

Olivia Palermo smouldered in red for a shoot in Madrid

Modern looks: Orthodox style blogger Sharon Langert looks to Miss Palermo for style inspiration when incorporating the tznius into her outfits

Orthodox Jewish women are taking fashion inspiration from style-star Olivia Palermo in an effort to shake-up their modest appearance.

The socialite has become one of the most influential red-carpet celebrities for style-conscious Orthodox women, who must follow three core rules of modesty in how they dress.

Looking to trend-setters like the 26-year-old for inspiration, Orthodox style blogger Sharon Langert told BuzzFeed: 'Jewish Orthodox women are fashion savvy - they want to look up-to-date.'

Orthodox Judaism requires both men and women to substantially cover their bodies, which has previously hindered the way modern Orthodox Jewish women would like to dress.

There are three main rules, or tznius, they must adhere to: shirt sleeves should cover elbows, the neckline should extend to the collarbone, and skirts must cover the knees, with or without tights.

Trousers are forbidden, and married women must cover their heads with a wig, scarf or hat.

While Orthodox women shop in specialty stores that cater specifically to these guidelines, many are now turning to mainstream stores Zara and H&M which stock up-to-date, more covered-up looks seen on the likes of Olivia Palermo, and even Alexa Chung who is a fan of button-up blouses and log-sleeve shirts.

Appropriating the stars' glamorous, but conservative looks, Orthodox women are stepping away from their traditional garb, instead creating fashionable outfits that still adhere to their tznius.

Not all Orthodox women allow fashion magazines in their homes, however, but many do follow trends, searching for style tips and inspiration on the increasing number of Orthodox fashion blogs like Mrs Langert's called Fashion Isha.

Orthodox-appropriate looks appear in abundance on the red-carpet, and Ms Palermo, Rachel Zoe and Kate Middleton have become style-icons to Orthodox Jewish women.

Mrs Langert said: [Olivia Palermo] really knows how to put herself together.'

Adi Heyman, an Orthodox stylist living in Manhattan, who is also starting a blog about conservative fashion, offered: 'Not everything Olivia Palermo wears is modest, but she does wear a lot of long, flowy skirts and blouses. It's very classy how she dresses.'

The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is also praised for her ladylike' clothes, and Ms Heyman added that celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, who often wears layers of vintage, 'covers up in [a way] that works for the Orthodox girls.'

For Haredim or Ultra-Orthodox, clothes have a purely practical function, but those who define themselves as Orthodox or Modern-Orthodox freely experiment with their wardrobes.

While they don't want to attract undue attention, they also don't want to be perceived as dowdy, and fashion's far-reaching love affair with lady-like and more covered up looks appears to be working in their favour.


Ms Heyman explained: 'These days it's easy to dress modestly and be on-trend.'