It could be a historical photograph from a Jewish quarter somewhere in Eastern Europe sometime in the early 20th century.

It's the picture that many an ignorant sees, drifting a few streets too far out of Jerusalem's old town and getting lost in Me'a She'arim: Even on hot summer days, bearded men in long, black coats walk through the narrow streets , and women wear long blouses and skirts that barely reveal skin.

If it weren't for a few cars here and there, you'd think you'd taken a little trip back in time.

Me'a She'arim is the center of ultra-Orthodox Judaism in Israel, and just looking at it gives a glimpse of the believers' traditional interpretation of religious scriptures.

The piety is not only reflected in the serious looks of the residents, but also in a vestimental uniformity, to which even small children and visitors to the district have to adhere.

In many places one sees signs calling for moderation: "To women and girls: With all our hearts we ask you not to cross this neighborhood in lewd clothing".

is written in capital letters.

These included instructions on how women should dress: no tight-fitting clothing, no trousers, long blouses and skirts.

Married Jewish women are also not allowed to show their hair and must cover it with wigs, called “seats” in Yiddish, or the tichel, the Jewish headscarf.

But men are also subject to a strict dress code.

They wear beards and sidelocks, usually long, black trousers and white shirts, under which the tzitzit, the threads of the prayer shawl, the tallit, often protrude, plus long coats and black felt hats or black velvet kippahs for children.

What is appropriate is regulated by the rules of morality

What is appropriate for deeply religious Jews, many of whom have Eastern European roots, is contained in the Zniut's code of morality.

Over the centuries and millennia, Talmudists and rabbis have repeatedly reinterpreted and rewritten the commandments based on the Torah.

In the Middle Ages, a devout Jewish dress code was imposed on Jews in many European countries as a mark of distinction. In modern times, for many Jews, the compulsion has become a voluntary, open demonstration of their own faith.

For many Orthodox, the tsniut has changed little since then - and this is still taken so seriously in Me'a She'arim that stones are sometimes thrown at unknowing visitors and even Israeli soldiers, because the military uniform is not a tsniut either.

Nevertheless – what is really pious is a matter of interpretation.

From modern to strict to ultra-Orthodox, there are many facets.

And there are more and more orthodox women who no longer just want to express themselves in the parting or tichel, but who want to interpret the vestimental order for themselves - a trend that is similar to the modest fashion trend, which has been a topic in the Arab world for years and which has long since made its way into haute couture with affluent customers from the Gulf region.

Whether it's with fast fashion providers like Asos or in the high-price segment with Yoox - modest fashion has long since become a separate category that is also becoming increasingly relevant for orthodox Jewish women.

A former Miss World as a style-defining figurehead

Among them is Linor Abargil, who made a name for herself as a lawyer and activist against sexual violence after being raped.

In recent years, the former Miss World, who won the title for Israel in a bikini in 1998, has converted to orthodox Judaism.

She covers her hair with tichels and wigs and wears skirts that at least cover the knees, but with colorful dresses and bold makeup, she has become a style-defining figurehead for women in Israel who identify as modern-orthodox.

Many of them want to cover themselves of their own free will and out of religious belief, but no longer just wear black skirts.

Last year she launched her own clothing line, Banana Fashion, which has quickly become a visible fashion brand in Israel.