Do Jewish people have a dress code?

Answer 1

According to Jewish tradition, men and married women cover their hair (for men, a small cap is enough); and men wear tzitzis (see Numbers 15:37-41).

In general, Jewish tradition is to dress with dignity and modesty, avoiding clothing that is revealing, loud, or tight.

Answer 2

Orthodox

According to a strict reading of Torah and subsequent writings, yes, whether or not one is in a house of worship. Many Jewish laws are traditionally considered obligatory on men, and only permissive to women. But the basic rule is modesty.

For everyone, the strict letter of the law requires men and women not to wear clothing ordinarily worn by the other sex, fabrics that do not mix certain thread materials (from laws of kashrut or being "kosher" which is more than just food), jewelry and other body adornments other than a simple wedding band for married persons are frowned upon, and on Yom Kippur not wearing leather (as a sign of respect for the fact that a living thing had to die for it to be produced -- an extension of laws of kashrut).

For men who follow the letter of the law, it includes: wearing a head covering at all times (no not when you sleep and no not when you are in the shower....), not cutting or shaving the hair next to one's ears ("sidelocks" or "pay-is"), wearing "fringes" of specifically ordered and knotted threads with specific blue color threads intermixed from one's garmets -- often worn like a belt.

For women following the letter of the law, it includes always wearing head coverings in public, wearing clothing that does not "reveal" one's bare body or accentuate one's physical attributes, and that includes skirts and dresses to cover one's ankles.

It does not go so far as some Islamic requirements for what is called a "burka" where the woman is completely covered head to toe. In worship, men are also to wear prayer shawls (tallit).

Non-Orthodox

Among Non-Orthodox Jews, there is no dress code, other than ritual items worn inside the synagogue or during Jewish events, such as a head covering (kippah) and a prayer shawl (tallit).

Modern Orthodox

Many Modern Orthodox Jews have abandonded certain styles of clothing which are not actually prescribed by law, such as black suits for men. They have also re-interpreted the commandment not to "cut or shave the hair next to one's ears" as to be fulfilled by growing sideburns. There are even some Modern Orthodox married women who do not cover their hair in public, though this is not the norm.

Answer 3

Judaism teaches that we should dress modestly, there is no specific dress code.

Answer 4

Traditionally, but only as a matter of tradition, Jewish men cover their heads during prayer. A small cap called a yarmulke or kippah is common, but any head covering suffices. Because the Jewish tradition requires small prayers before many actions throughout the day, many Jewish men wear a kippah at all times.

Traditionally, married Jewish women cover their hair. Anything from a kippah to an ornate hat, headscarf or wig is common.

During daytime prayers, tradition requires men to wear a tallit, that is, a four-cornered garment carrying tassles called tzitzit on its corners. Many non-Jews refer to a tallit as a prayer shawl. Some Jews also wear four-cornered tunic as an undergarment so that they have tzitzit at all times. This is called a little talit or a talit katan.

Finally, on Yom Kippur, Passover and for grooms at weddings, there is a tradition to wear a white linen robe, a kittel. This robe is also used as a burial garment.