Shoes and Fashions

The other day I decided to go into town for some errands. My stops were:

  • The tailor, to have a zipper fixed on a coat.
  • The bookstore and toy store to buy gifts for a brit and a child’s birthday party.
  • The shoe repair, for the lining in my winter dress shoes.

I debated whether to take both shoes, as only one needed repair. In the end I took only one–the wrong one.*

Did you know that some private bookstores allow you to exchange Hebrew books at selected stores throughout the country? This is a way of competing with the major chains.

After completing my errands I decided to collect a sample of fashion photos with my new camera. I wanted a shot of the slutty, jewel-studded platform sandals in little girls’ sizes, but was stopped by an owner unfamiliar with the concept, “There’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

All in all I think the religious fashions have improved over last year, although I wouldn’t wear most of these necklines:
The store below is called Mekimi, an undisguised attempt to capitalize on famous religious returnee Noa Yaron’s book of the same name. The title comes from Psalm 113, Mekimi me-afar dal, “He lifts the poor from the dust.” If you are poor I don’t recommend shopping here, although it’s by no means the most expensive.
From yet another store catering to religious women:
For comparison’s sake, I’m including a sample from a bridal studio:

*Postscript: At about 6:30 the morning after this trip, I was about to get up and dress for the brit. I suddenly realized that if I had left the shoe for repair I wouldn’t have had anything remotely suitable at home, as I currently own only one pair of closed non-running shoes. Despite having only five pairs of functional shoes I seem to post about themand socks–regularly.

If you enjoyed this post you might also enjoy:

Winter Fashion Retrospective

Official Haredi Guide to Modest Necklines

Burkas: The New Fashion

Comments

  1. Ha! I did the exact same thing with my shoes yesterday :-). I took them to the shoe repair, but on the way I remembered we had a wedding the following night, so I brought them home again.

  2. The ‘shirts that go underneath other shirts’ look(the layered look) is very prevalent in Israel and has in the last couple of years become in vogue in frum circles here, and it allows for more divergence in sleeve lengths and necklines. Sometimes it’s done in a way that looks fine to me, and sometimes not.
    But nothing irks me more than suggestive styles of shoes and clothing for young girls – religiosity notwithstanding!

  3. RaggedyMom – Here in Israel, the layered look has now extended to “skirts that go under dresses” as well. In other words, there is now also divergence when it comes to skirt lengths. The girls buy cap-sleeved, low-cut mini-dresses, which they wear over long-sleeve tops and skirts that cover their knees. (I speak as the mother of one such girl…)

  4. mother in israel says

    Annie, LOL.
    RM: I can’t stand the thought of an extra layer in the summer. I’ve avoided that look.
    Mrs. S: I’ve seen that as well. My teen daughter still sticks to skirts and stops, bli ayin hara poo poo poo (that is a formula to ward off the evil eye).
    Miriam, plenty of women wear them too. Again, I can see it in the winter, not the summer.

  5. And what’s with all the religious girls wearing pants under their skirts??

  6. Regular Anonymous says

    I’m amazed at those necklines. I seem to be in the everything-is-too-high-or-too-low category.
    For my 12 year old daughter, the challenge is finding shirts long enough to keep her covered when she lifts her arms.
    And we are both way too warm for any extra layers.

  7. mother in israel says

    RA:Shirts are skimpy these days for sure. Fabric is expensive, you know.
    TC: That is the main reason I prefer to work from home. Didn’t Roseanne Barr once say something about frumpiness being the result of a desire for comfortable footwear?

  8. shoes… what are those? I have crocs and sneakers. that’s pretty much it. embarrassing when I have to be a “big girl”

  9. I am one of those that wear the “layered look” shirts also in summer, not for religious reasons just becuase I don’t want to have anything peeping out from here or there. In summer I spend most of my time in the AC’ed workplace, so it’s not a problem. The skirt over skirt and pants under skirt is nothing new, Ulpana girls were doing this way back when I was in school.
    About the shoes, my daughter is only 4 and I already noticed that some of the sandals have heals. I don’t mind the glitter.
    Those wedding dresses I really don’t get.

  10. Lion of Zion says

    those wedding gowns don’t look particularly צנוע. and what’s with the red wedding gown?
    my wife likes the dress (or long shirt?) over pants look.
    it’s nice to see religious girls wearing some color. (here it’s basically all black.)

    • The “red wedding gown” is a bridesmaid dress. Don’t they have those in israel?

  11. mother in israel says

    Mia,I bought shoes that are covered with gold sequins for my 4yo. These were in a different category.
    LOZ, The wedding boutique does not cater to the religious crowd. I presume the red dress is an evening gown or for a bridesmaid (do they have those in Israel?).

  12. re Mrs S, I see that too.
    I don’t know whether this is the egg or the chicken, but it seems that the religious shops are selling clothes that are not modest, then the girls have to wear undershirts, they also wear the underskirts,
    I feel they are doing this as they have no choice, not because this is how they want to dress.

  13. mother in israel says

    I didn’t think of this before but it’s good for the stores–they can sell many more clothes this way.

  14. different shoes says

    The wedding boutique does not cater to the religious crowd. I presume the red dress is an evening gown or for a bridesmaid

  15. It never ceases to amaze me how some people take being judgmental to an artform. How is it anyone else’s business what others wear? You want to cover your chest, cover it, I guess. But it seems very silly to wear uncomfortable hot clothing just because some men decided you should.

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