10:25 PM
Gil Student
R. Shmuel Katz, Kedoshim Tihyu, ch. 8 pp. 124-125:
A) The prohibition: There are those who are of the view that a woman wearing pants is a violation of "A man's clothing shall not be worn by a woman" (Deut. 22:5), and also a lack of modesty[37]. Others are of the view that it does not entail the prohibition of "man's clothing" but is immodest, since the pants cling to the body and cause the [outline of the] body parts to be seen[38]...
B) Pants specifically for women: A woman who wears pants made specifically for women, that are different in their cut and color from mens' pants, and she does not intend to look like men -- does not violate the prohibition of "man's clothes". However, a woman should preferably (le-chat'chilah) not wear pants like those because they arouse specific attention. And if they are tight to her body, there is a lack of modesty[39]. There are those who also prohibit specific pants like these because they are still called pants like mens' pants[40].
Click here to read moreC) Pants because of the cold: Women who wear pants in the winter because of the cold, if the pants are not tight then they have an opinion on which to rely[41]. There are those who have the view that in the winter they should wear a skirt over the pants[42].
[37] Responsa Minchas Yitzchak 2:108; Responsa Tzitz Eliezer 11:2; Responsa Shevet Ha-Levi YD:63; Sha'arei Shalom on Kitzur Shulchan Arukh, Mevaser Shalom notes 3:2...
[38] Responsa Yaskil Avdi 5:YD:20, 6:EH:54; Responsa Yabia Omer 6:YD:14...
[39] Responsa Yabia Omer ibid. 7...
[40] Responsa Minchas Yitzchak 2:108; Responsa Shevet Ha-Levi YD:63...
[41] Responsa Yabia Omer ibid. 6, based on the Bach YD 182 and Taz ad loc. 4 and Responsa Avnei Tzedek YD:72.
[42] Responsa Shevet Ha-Levi YD:63. And see Responsa Minchas Yitzchak 2:108:4...
