History, as Told by a Dress

Whenever I tell the story of Adam and Eve, I wonder if the younger people in the audience know the story. They may know of it, but how many have cracked open a Bible to read the story for themselves? Many Millennials, in the West, have not been instructed in any religious persuasion, save for secular religions, like climate change, and veganism. However, the myths these new religions are based on, are, actually, Biblical. Human beings that have sinned brought about a flood, (Noah’s story), and, probably, a space rock, (Sodom and Gomorrah.) So why not climate change? Vegans like that verse in Isaiah about the leopard lying down with the kid, (as in baby goat.)

In one of  the African stories I tell, about why God left the Earth, he left because Man had learned to kill animals. You can see that story here.

Adam and Eve’s story, on its primary level, is about the evolution of humans. From being animalistic, that is, primates with no consciousness, to becoming human, i.e., gaining consciousness. Yes, animals do have a primary consciousness. They are aware of their body, their surroundings, and when food is available. Human awareness is about perception, memory of events, and being aware of the mind itself. Humans differentiate their minds, or self, from their bodies. We think of our bodies as a vessel. Our vessel. We have skills we learn with our hands. We create things. From an ax to a 100 story building, we have built up knowledge, that is know-how, for a million years. Sapiens pass that know-how on to others, thereby growing the knowledge base. Without the bow and arrow, there would not be a rocket. That sort of thing.

People of the Book tell us that when Eve ate of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and then Adam joined her, that that action was the “fall of man.” Sin began with disobedience. So too did clothing. Genesis 3:7-11 tells the story about how Adam and Eve, now fully aware, saw that they were naked. So they put on those famous fig leaf aprons, meaning, they covered their private parts. Later on, in verse 11, God asks them how they knew they were naked. And then the story turns into a passing of the buck tale; Adam blaming Eve, and Eve blaming the snake. God, being wise, knows there is no blame to pass on. That Eve, and then Adam, made a decision to eat. The snake gets cursed for the liar he is. The term, snake in the grass, comes from this story.

The Adam and Eve story overflows in its diversity of meanings. Myths are like that. If you ask me, “…why did humans start wearing clothes? My flippant answer is: because fashion is fun. The serious answer is, in the story, Adam and Eve are adolescents who do not want their father to see them naked. And God was their father.

Nudity leaves one too vulnerable in the face of power. Indeed, if a tyrant wants to break down an individual, the tyrant strips them. From the Inquisition, to the strip searches of the drug wars, it is a method that works quite well. Those who conduct such searches think of themselves as the god of Eden.

To those that believe Genesis is a true story, that it is, actual history, the meanings remain the same. The orthodox and conservative of the monotheistic religions, Jews, Christians and Muslims, do not parade around in skimpy clothing. All are well covered. Only husbands and wives may play Adam and Eve. Liberals, who are the descendants of the Early Modern Age, that period beginning with the Renaissance (late 14th century) to the end of the Enlightenment, get to wear skimpy clothing. However, the naked ladies in the paintings of those years, were usually models with a side gig as someone’s mistress.

When the Adam and Eve story was written, clothing was still a rather primitive production. There was no tailoring, no scissors, no metal needles. The tools and machines they had to make clothing were carders, spindles and looms. Hand made clothing it was, woven by the hands of women. Clothing was not made to fit, but was draped on the body, and then was tied, belted or pinned to the contours of the person wearing the garment. Wool, hemp and linen were the first fibers used. Later on, cotton was added, and then silk.

During the Middle Ages, cloth fairs were held in various locations around Europe. At these fairs, the idea of fashion took hold. Anyone who could afford it, wanted the latest styles. Men and women still dressed somewhat the same, but the gown for men began to lose favor as new ideas in clothing took hold. The church was outraged at some fashions, but nonetheless, the clinging hose, and tight doublets became a thing for men, no matter how much the church frowned.

Roman Catholics lost their innocence during the Renaissance. European clothing began its march to the well tailored outfits of the 18th century, and beyond. And, the differentiation between men and women’s garments grew. Girl’s stuff was for girls, and the boy’s for the boys. The paintings, Pinkie, painted in 1794, and The Blue Boy, painted in 1770, with the model wearing an outfit from the late 17th century, represent this change, in design and color. Pink is for girls, and blue is for boys. Even the colors began to be genderfied.

Outside of Europe, the Greeks and Russians maintained their modesty. The shape of their clothing was squarish and uninteresting. Their textiles, however, were rich in color and designs

The idea of body adornments began early on. Archaeologists keep finding beads in all sorts of places. Beads were turned into necklaces, bracelets, even decorations for a child carrier. Once humans became adept at metals, adornment became even more elaborate.

Clothes were soon to follow. Before tailoring, when cut and fit became the sign of the well off, the fit of a garment was achieved through weaving and/or sewing pieces together. And, embroidery became a thing. Plus, the addition of fancy trims, like tassels and fringes. The Egyptians mastered the weaving of sheer linen. The Egyptians didn’t have an issue with the naked body.

Clothing turned into a feel good thing. Does anything feel quite as pleasurable as a new set of clothes?

Plus there is status to consider. Only the wealthy had tassels and sheer linen.

The self-guided learning class,  Dressing for the Ages, will look at the clothing humans invented, from the wearing of animal skins, to the fabulous suits of the 1950s. That yellow dress is quite talkative. Well, she was made by the master tailors from The House of Worth in 1903. She even has a name: The Leaf Dress. She has something to crow about. And she knows her stuff. This class was put together just for her. Well, I do admit it; it is the most pleasurable class on history that I, well, umm, that she teaches.