New trend sees ultra-Orthodox women buy colorful, alluring nighties instead of modest night gowns. Founder of intimate apparel company: clients say it makes for peaceful home
The ultra-Orthodox woman is renowned for her modesty. According to the Halacha, a woman is forbidden from exposing her body in public and wearing short or tight clothing. Ultra-Orthodox rabbis take it one step further by instructing women to intentionally wear dull and decolorized clothing, and some are even forced to shave off their hair.
In the book of Psalms it is written: "All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold." Based on this verse ultra-orthodox rabbis derived their modest customs, intended to prevent a woman from exposing herself before a strange man.
But what goes on at home, behind closed doors, at a place where they are seen only by their significant other? Do the modest customs come into play there as well or do the rules change in the chambers of one's own home?
The Israeli textile company EvaShow holds the answer.
According to the women's intimate apparel company, 20% of its customer base comes from ultra-orthodox women's clothing shops.
"In recent years an interesting change has occurred among ultra-orthodox women," said company founder, Eva Ohana. "In the past they used to only buy long and modest sleeping gowns. Today some of them buy the kind of sexy and sensual lingerie secular women purchase, such as baby-dolls, shiny, sheer and colorful nighties decorated with lace, and thongs."
"Stores that appeal to the ultra-orthodox sector have modest and isolated changing rooms, which allow the women to try on the sexy apparel in privacy," explained Ohana. "Some stores even allow them to try the underwear on at home and return it if it doesn’t fit, just so they don't have to get undressed in a public place."
For his eyes only
Ohana says these nighties are only intended to be seen by the ultra-orthodox woman's husband, and him alone. "It's designed to seduce him on the wedding night and afterwards. One of our clients told us that these nighties make for a peaceful home, because her husband feels more satisfied. It may even contribute to increasing the birth rate in Israel."
However the extent of the bold choices in nighties varies according to religious restrictions. In extremely ultra-Orthodox circles the women still stick to the familiar formula.
"We design our night gowns according to the client's demands. There are still women who want modest, long, gray and black night gowns," said designer Keren Shafran.
"There are stores in Bnei Brak and in Jerusalem which order exactly what the stores for secular and Religious Zionists sectors order," added Yael Ohana, the company's marketing manager. "However there are still stores which order what they've always ordered. Their clients are very strict about the night gowns be closed off at the neck so as 'not to get one thinking."
in holy new square there is an unwritten rule that on mikva night , the husband goes to the rebbe for a blessing. so basically this pervert rabbi knows when every women goes to the mikva. how sick is that? that place has to be dismanteled
ReplyDeleteA woman is permitted by Halacha in private to dress in a manner that will arouse and maintain her husband's interest.
ReplyDeleteAs for the stockings, netflix - most orthodox rabbis agree that the area between the knee and the foot must be covered. The problem arises with the question as to whether sheer stockings fulfill the requirement of "covered". The more strict (it was indeed the Satmarer rebbe) rabbis required that stockings be opaque. Some communities require that they be black; others require that they be fleshtoned. The seams thing is i.m.h.o. utterly ridiculous, but if that's what their customs are it doesn't bother me. Do you feel the same way about Amish women's sartorial choices?
"some [women] are even forced to shave off their hair."
ReplyDeleteReally, who is "forcing" them. The Taliban? They do it because it is their time-honored custom and they want to do it. Don't speak if you have no idea about what you're saying.
ACCORDING TO OUR SAGES A WOMAN SHOULD APPEAR SEXY BEFORE HER HUSBAND IN ORDER TO GIVE HIM THE RIGHT SATISFACTION AT HOME AND HE SHOULDN'T LOOK FOR SOME MORE IN THE OUTSIDE WORLD
ReplyDeleteTo Deborah where did you get you misinformation there is no such requirement pls don't spread lies
ReplyDelete