“There is a strict Biblical prohibition against wearing tight clothing like the gentiles, as stated: ‘You shall not follow in their ways.’ Wearing tight pants is forbidden because of that reason.…And those who wear (such garments) are sinful and cause corruption and it is obligatory to protest their behavior.”
A group of haredi rabbis have issued a letter banning tight pants – for men. The letter, posted above, was first reported by Behadrei Haredim. The Jewish Press summarzies its content:
…“Recently, the modesty of men’s clothing needs to be addressed as well, to uphold the ‘sanctity of our camp.’ We are expressing the Torah viewpoint that every man is obligated to dress in loose and modest clothing,” [the letter] reads.
But the only article on men's clothing the letter mentions is pants:
“There is a strict Biblical prohibition against wearing tight clothing like the gentiles, as stated: ‘You shall not follow in their ways.’ Wearing tight pants is forbidden because of that reason.…And those who wear (such garments) are sinful and cause corruption and it is obligatory to protest their behavior.”
Among the signatories of the letter include Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef, a son of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef who is the rosh yeshiva of Yeshivat Hazon Ovadiah; Rabbi Yosef Leiberman, Rosh Yeshiva of Kollel Shomrei Hachomos; Rabbi Azariah Basis, the chief rabbi of Rosh HaAyin.
The reverse side the letter has pictures of famous rabbis of previous generations, many of whom are wearing noticably loose-fitting clothing under a banner that reads, “The clothes of a person are an indication of his character.”