Why We Bother Covering Our Hair

As Jewish Orthodox women, we have been covering our hair, with wigs, since we were married.

We often get asked why we bother covering our hair if when we do it looks just like our own hair! Have we missed the point of what covering our hair is all about? We also get very, very shocked faces (some are like these emojis😱😳🤓🤔🙄😐), when we tell people that yes, we do wear wigs.

Many a folk replace the true meaning of modesty with their own version and equate it with unattractiveness. From the Jewish perspective, modesty has nothing to do with being unattractive, rather more to do with privacy. And that is what a wig achieves.

As orthodox women we are encouraged to care about our appearance and look presentable and beautiful, especially when it comes to wig wearing. When we cover our hair, as natural and as ‘hair like’ as they look and feel (wigs pictured by @chayasprecuts), the wig creates a psychological barrier, a cognitive distance between us the wearer and everyone around us. The beauty of a woman covering her hair becomes visible but inconspicuous.

The wig achieves the desired effect exactly, because a wig allows a woman to cover her hair, while maintaining her attractive appearance. She can be proud of the way she looks without compromising her privacy. And even if her wig looks so real as to be mistaken for natural hair, she knows that no one is looking at the real her. She has created a private space, and only she decides who to let into that space.

In Judaism, true beauty and modesty co-exist.True beauty, inner beauty, needs modesty to protect it and allow it to thrive.* So next time we get asked this question, I may just whip out my phone and show them this pic of both of us in our #frock2way and wigs.
I may just read the caption too. And then tell them about this seemingly strange on the outside but really beautiful world we come from. Feel free to take a look inside our #frockworld and know that you can always ask us anything#stumpthesisters #wigs #simiandchaya#sisters #jewish #lessonsinlayering#frockseatbelt #simiandchaya