SJS: I’m not saying they are correct in their assumptions. I am just saying that the way we dress does portray who we are. Same goes for style, religion and even whether we are more conservative (in style and personality, not in Judaism)or more trendy…We look at a person’s dress and we learn some things about them.
Many people do have screwed up perceptions and therefore misjudge us. This is their problem, not ours, but in general we dress a certain way because that is who we are.
About your comment to Flatbush: Right on! I do wonder why some people think that the way a person dresses is more important than lashon hara and rechilut. I don’t think there is an answer to that question, other than the fact that to some, the way you dress on the outside is more important than the way you clothe yourself on the inside. I wish we could ask God what is more important in His book.
Flatbush: The conclusions that you come to are your choices. Just to let you know, many people who are lax in tzniut are very strict in Kosher observance, so don’t generalize.