Long Skirt with a Slit

To the esteemed questioner, 

Regarding a skirt that is long to the ankle, one must distinguish between the reason for the conduct of the standards of modesty.

 As I understand it, there is a standard of modesty that stems from logical reasoning, and there is a standard of modesty that stems from local custom.

The logical standard of modesty says that it is fitting to cover as much as possible. But the customary standard of modesty says that one should do those things that do not stand out among the other women, and according to what is accepted in the community at that time and in that place.

 The reason that clothing in the form of a long skirt, which is in itself modest clothing, enters the category of clothing and is considered immodest, is because the role of modesty is not to cause men, other than her husband, to have thoughts and reveries. And this matter in the male psyche does not operate in a logical way; rather, the more there is reason to begin thinking and contemplating the matter, the more the evil inclination already finds its way in. Therefore, a woman who dresses in a way that stands out too much from the women around her is thereby drawing external attention to herself.

 In this case of a long skirt, the prohibition is not on account of logical modesty; rather, the reason to forbid it is because most women who dress like this - according to street custom - imply that their behavior is not in accordance with modesty, since this was the intention of the manufacturers at the outset, that specifically through the added covering they would lead to greater arousal. This is all the more so if it has a slit, even below the knee. And the way the evil inclination operates is indirectly - and even this subtle hint of the intention of those who wear this garment in the street is received by men.

 And the source of this matter is the commentary of the Malbim on Isaiah 3:15:

 And Hashem said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with outstretched necks and winking eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet [a terrible punishment will come upon them, as explained there in the continuation of the verses].

 The explanation of the Malbim: "Outstretched necks [and winking eyes]" - with an upright posture and looking with their eyes. "Walking and mincing" - as is the manner of children running. "And making a tinkling with their feet" - making a sound. That is, the girls did all these things because of their lack of modesty, and in order that men would look at them and have thoughts about them, and they caused men to disregard the command of "And you shall be careful to avoid every evil thing"; therefore they were the ones who were severely punished for this.

 May it be Hashem's will that you merit the level of true inner modesty, and through this merit building a faithful home in Israel with an important and distinguished husband.

In blessing, 

Rabbi Nachum