skirt length?

[little_flower10]

I read that St Padre Pio wanted the women who visited his church to wear skirts at least 8 inches below the knee. That made me think, how long should skirts be? How long is 8 inches below the knee - do you measure from center of the kneecap? For the women here, what length of skirts do you wear?

I also read if women were dressed immodestly, St Padre Pio would turn them away from Confession. He didn't allow tight, short skirts, low cut tops, etc. He also wanted all women to be veiled at church. He told a woman from America who sold pants in her retail store, to go back and get rid of the merchandise before receiving absolution. There's no way he could have known this except if it was revealed to him somehow, I don't know if the woman told him or not.. (he could sometimes read souls). So is it strict with the 8 inches rule? What if it's 5, or 6, or 7 inches? I do always wear skirts below the knee, but I'm wondering how much below the knee they should be. By the way I'm in my mid 20s.

Please I'm not trying to start a debate.. just wanted to discuss this

thanks!

[Titus Alba]

The sisters at my ma's Catholic schools said the hem of a skirt, at the very least, should touch the seat of a chair when the knee is placed on the chair (like, in a kneeling position).

[Jacafamala]

 St. Pio was a mystic and my guess is that he could see what all was coming clothes-wise. Below the knee when seated is best, imo. If the dress is shorter, wear leggings or pant s underneath maybe.

[verenaerin]

This has been debated often. We haven't had a modesty debate in a while, so I suppose we are due.

All of us have our ideas of what is modest. We come to those ideas from how we grew up, our culture, what we've read, etc. There has never been a definitive declaration on length of skirts, styles, or even a ban on women wearing pants, that I know of. Popes and saints have warned us about sinful fashions, but never specifically. Or sometimes when specifics are given, they can be confused when read out of context.

For example, some churches post modesty criteria for Mass. Some of those say not to wear skirts with slits. I think that when the person wrote this, he/she was thinking of pencil skirts (very popular in the 60s and kinda today), skirts so tight that they needed a slit to walk. Any woman is familiar with this. There was also a time in the 90s when skirts were looser, but slits in the back were often above the knee. The point is, if the slit exposes an immodest amount of leg, or for the purpose of a super tight skirt- it most likely would be considered immodest. A 6 gore skirt, very flowy, of modest length, with a slit below the knee is not immodest.

Padre Pio was giving his opinion. You can chose to follow it or not, and as strict as you choose. It is a personal decision.

[Spooky]

I usually go with knee length or ankle length. Any in-between gives me a "stubby" look due to being short (5'3") with short legs.


edited to correct grammar

[Gakmo]

I personally believe that the skirt should cover the knee COMPLETELY when sitting and crossing the leg.  I always make sure that there is no hint of seeing up the skirt so that would come to about 4 inches below the knee. The other reason for a longer skirt is the back. Many women do not realize that as they move, many skirt ride up the back of the leg. I have seen many women whose skirts come just below the knee in the front but are halfway up the thigh in the back. They barely bend forward and you can see straight up the back.  So for me I am very careful that it falls well below the knees -in front and back.

[JayneK]

I do not consider myself bound at all by the specific standards set by St. Pio.  I personally tend to wear my skirts well below the knee, but I do not think that is necessary for modesty.

[AgnusDei1989]

With me it depends. I like long full skirts anyway, but I don't cringe if it is no more than a couple of inches below my knees either. I think it depends on the woman's size, too! After all, if you're very tall, eight inches below the knees could still leave a good bit of calf showing, but if you're shorter it could be closer to ankle length -- material also affects this, I think, especially when sitting.

[PanisAngelicus]

I usually wear skirts to my knees, so at least when I'm sitting my knees are still covered. 
8 inches below your knee is pretty long....and that gets pretty hot in the summer

[JayneK]

I usually wear skirts to my knees, so at least when I'm sitting my knees are still covered. 
8 inches below your knee is pretty long....and that gets pretty hot in the summer

I don't mean to pick on you, but I have seen this comment about long skirts being hot before and I don't understand it.  I think that long skirts made of light material are the coolest, most comfortable thing to wear in summer.