Bible Principles of Christian Dress

By George Vergara


Foreword

After reading George Vergara's article in the Old Paths Advocate concerning Christian apparel, I
asked him if he would consider making a tract from it. George agreed, and after adding some thoughts
to his original article, this tract is the result. Since George expressed so vividly and tactfully the
sentiment of many Christians, I should like to see this tract in the hands of every child of God. Even
though some have rebelliously decided to wear what pleases themselves rather than God, we sincerely
believe that there are many who do not realize how a Christian should dress. It is our earnest prayer
that you will consider carefully the principles expressed in God's word, which are presented in this tract.
--Tony Melton

Introduction:

In I Corinthians 6:20, the Bible says, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." We serve God with our body as well as our spirit, and
this includes the way we dress. It seems wherever I go people are interested in Christians and clothing,
particularly whether a woman should wear pants. The Bible, as in every area of our life, gives us
guidance in this area as well. But before we get into specifics, let's look at a couple of basic Bible
principles.
Philippians 1:9-10 reads, "This is what I am praying for: I want your love to overflow more and more with
a fuller knowledge and all insight. Then you will be able to test what is best, so you will be pure and
without guilt when Christ comes" (The Simple English Bible). The Bible does not contain a formal dress
code such as, "The hem of the woman's skirt will rise no higher than 12 inches above the ankle. ..."
Instead, God gives us principles that we are to use to make our own judgments on what to wear, what
not to wear, and how to wear. If we know these principles, we can use them in regard to any article of
clothing, and with confidence be able to "test what is best"-making mature decisions about what
clothing will or will not be pleasing to God.

Now, why is it so important to want to please God, even in an area of our living such as the clothing we
wear? In II Corinthians 5:15, the Bible says, "And that he died for all, that they which live should not live
hence forth unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again." We live to please God,
not ourselves; pleasing God should, be our number one desire, and this includes pleasing Him with
proper clothing. And whenever I hear anyone say (as I've heard said in regard to women wearing dresses
or pants), "Why can't I?" or "You show me why I have to!" Well I know this is not a person whose
primary desire is to please God. Sometimes a Christian must not just look at whether a thing is so wrong,
but that perhaps it would be better not to - perhaps this other would be the better thing to do. This is
how the Christian who truly lives for God views apparel and other areas of living. And now, let's go on to
four Bible principles pertaining to Christian dress.


First of all, God wants a distinction between men and women, and this distinction extends to our
clothing

In Genesis 1:27, the Bible says, "Male and female created He them" -physically, God made men
and women distinct from each other. And then, in Genesis 3:16-19, we read man was given the role of
breadwinner and woman the role of bearing and nurturing children - not only were men and women to
be physically different, but God gave them distinct social roles. From creation, God wanted men to be
men and women to be women.
And then, in the Mosaic era, we find passages under the Old Covenant such as Deuteronomy 22:5 which
says, "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a
woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God." Clearly, God saw what
distinguished a man from a woman, and vise-versa; He did not want a mixing of roles, even in the area
of clothing.

In the New Testament, we read passages such as Romans 1:24-27 and I Corinthians 6:9-10 where God
condemns effeminate men and masculine women. So from creation, through the Mosaic era and into
the New Testament age of today, God ordained a distinction between men and women and this
distinction extends to our clothing.

In our culture, there is no other article of clothing more distinctly feminine than a dress. Several years
ago, I flew into Narita Airport in Tokyo, and there I noticed two emblems on the restroom doors - one a
silhouette wearing pants and the other with a dress. Which door do you think I went in? The dress as a
distinctly feminine garment is recognized as such even in the far-flung corners of the earth. Ladies, in
this age of ungodliness and reversing of the male-female roles, why pass up such an opportunity to
enhance your femininity, which is pleasing to God and edifying to the church? "Test what is best."


The second Bible principle of dress - The effect our clothing has on our influence.

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus Christ taught that if we lose our "savour," our saving influence, we are
good for nothing -and our clothing can kill our influence. For example, if my uncle works for Jack Daniels
Distillery and gives me one of those black T-shirts you've seen around, with the bottle of Jack Daniel's
whiskey on it, why don't I wear it? I don't drink alcohol, so why not? Because I'd kill my influence by my
clothing. On the other hand, Jesus taught in Matthew 5:14-16 that your good influence, shining like a
light before men, will glorify God.
How many of our ladies have been approached in public and asked what church they were a member of
because of their dress and long hair? "Test what is best." Remember, you have no greater influence
anywhere than in the home, before your children and husband. Why wear things in their presence that
you know would hurt your influence if worn in public? There is no one you have a greater influence
upon than your own children and family - dress appropriately!


The third Bible principle of dress-Whether or not your clothing is offensive.

The word "offend," in verses such as Romans 14:21, means, "to cause or make to stumble . . .
cause to fall away" (Thayer). There are two ways our clothing can cause someone to sin. First, Jesus said
in Matthew 5:28 that to look with lust upon a woman is to commit adultery with her in your heart. If a
woman dresses provocatively she can cause a man to sin, and the same with the man toward the
woman. And then secondly, Romans 14 teaches that if someone doubts that something is right even if it
is lawful, they sin if they partake of it because they go against their conscience. Romans 14:23 says, "He
that doubteth is damned if he eat . . . whatsoever is not of faith is sin." You as a woman may by word or
example encourage a woman to wear pants when she believes with all her heart that it is wrong. If by
your influence she is emboldened to go against her conscience and wear pants, you cause her to sin.
Jesus taught in Matthew 18:6 that if you offend a little one, you'd do well to find yourself a millstone to
hang about your neck and go cast yourself into the sea. Think about it.

The fourth Bible principle of dress - Clothing must be modest.

I Timothy 2:9 says, women should adorn themselves in "modest" apparel. The word "modest"
means," orderly, well arranged, decent, modest" (W. E. Vine). Now, we're not talking about modest in
your neighbor's eyes, or friend's, or even in your family's-but modest in God's eyes. You are not trying to
please men, but God (Galatians 1:10); you will not be judged by men, but God (II Corinthians 5:10).
We know God sees nakedness as immodest. In fact, after Adam and Eve sinned God clothed them with
animal skins because He was not satisfied with the clothing they made to cover their nakedness. The
purpose of clothing was, and is, to conceal, not reveal - conceal nakedness. This is why I as a man do not
wear skimpy tops or unbutton the top buttons of my shirt - I don't believe God approves of such. And I
want to quote Isaiah 47:1-3 in order to further understand what God sees as nakedness and immodesty:
"Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O
daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate. Take the millstones,
and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the river. Thy
nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen." The woman is used to symbolize the
downfall of Babylon. Notice that at the point God describes her as having the leg bare and the thigh
uncovered God says she's "naked" and her "shame" shall be seen. This is why short dresses, shorts (on
women or men), "peek-a-boo" slits in skirts, etc. are not modest in God's sight - they are sinful. In this
immoral age we live in, I hope our people do not become so accustomed to the nakedness around them
that they lose their sense of what is modest.


Conclusion:

We serve God in body as well as in spirit (I Corinthians 6:20); this would include our dress. The
Bible does not contain a formal dress code, but gives principles of dress that help us make judgments
and "test what is best" (Philippians 1:9,10). We want to please God, not ourselves (II Corinthians 5:15),
so we want to clothe our bodies in a way that pleases God. The four principles of dress are (1) maintain
the male-female distinction; (2) consider the effect our clothing has on our influence; (3) make sure our
clothing does not "offend" anyone; (4) and be sure our clothing is modest in God's sight. I believe these
principles can be used for any article of clothing whether you are a man or woman or whether you are
young or old. May God bless you in your desire to better serve Him in the Lord Jesus Christ.
]

Laundering
They wear linen garments, which they are specially careful to have always fresh
washed.
Herodotus, Euterpe, 2.37.1
Cleanliness was
apparently next to
godliness in ancient
Egypt. And who was
closer to the gods than
the pharaohs themselves.
Since earliest historic times the titles of "chief washer of the palace" and "washer
to the pharaoh" are known, and keeping the royal clothes lily white was the duty
of the "chief bleacher."
[23]

Manually washing clothes was hard work. Soap was unknown to the ancient
Egyptians, so lye, made of castor-oil and saltpetre or some such substances
[18]
, or
detergents made of soapwort or asphodil
[19]
were used. The laundry was beaten,
rinsed and wrung by pairs of workers. By 1200 BCE there were fire-proof boilers
in the wash-houses, and the hot water lightened the workload.
Many, above all the poorer people had no access to facilities and had to do
their laundry under at times difficult conditions. Washing on the shore of the river
or the bank of a canal, which had the advantage of not having to carry a lot of
water in heavy earthen pots, could be dangerous:
The washerman launders at the riverbank in the vicinity of the crocodile. I shall
go away, father, from the flowing water, said his son and his daughter, to a more
satisfactory profession, one more distinguished than any other profession.
The Instructions of Dua-Khety
In the eyes of Kheti at least, washing women's clothing was not really work a
man should be doing. He says disparagingly of the washerman:
He cleans the clothes of a woman in menstruation.



Costumes of Ancient India
Costumes of Ancient India have been broadly discussed in various literary works of the country. It appears from the
literary sources that people were very particular about their costumes in ancient India.




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Costumes of ancient India mainly included those clothes that were
wrapped around the body in different ways. There are several literary works
or sources that broadly define the costumes of ancient India. A complete
idea of the people`s dress and costumes of the ancient age can be
obtained from the Vedic literature. As regards garments, the Rig
Veda comprises terms like adhivastra, kurlra and andpratidhi. The first
denotes an outer cover or veil. The second was, perhaps, a head-dress or
head-ornament and the last one indicates a part of a woman`s dress. Linen
and wool seem to have been used in making clothes. Further, the Vedic
texts also mention that gold was widely used for making ornaments. Niska,
rukma were the names of certain ornaments that were hugely used to
decorate the neck and the ear.

Costumes in Vedic Age
From a study of the Atharva Veda, it appeared that one`s garment mainly comprised an inner cover, an outer cover
and a chest-cover. Besides kurlra and andpratidhi, already mentioned in the Rig Veda, nivi, upavasana, vavri,
usnlsa, kumba and tirlta appear in Atharva Veda. These appear to signify correspondingly underwear, veil, upper
garment, and the last three denoting kinds of head-dress. The last three are taken by some to mean different sorts
of head-ornament. Footwear (updnaha) and blanket (kambala) are also mentioned. Besides linen and wool, silk was
also used as dress material. Besides gold, mani (jewel) is also mentioned in this Vedic text as an ornament.
Cosmetics appear to have been used as beautifying aids. Baldness was hated, and medicines were applied for the
growth of hair. There were prayers for the growth of thick hair. A thorny thing seems to have been used as a comb.
The barbers used to shave hair and beard.

Costumes in Age of Brahmanas
In the age of Brahmanas, people appear to have attached great importance to dress and decoration. Knitting,
sewing and weaving were known. Garments were made of wool, cotton and silk. Generally, the dress consisted of
three parts - main portion, outer garment and nivi or under-garment. From certain Brahmanas such as Shatapatha
Brahmana it appears that gold and silver ornaments have been in use. Necklaces made of gold or pearls are also
mentioned in Shatapatha Brahmana.

People of the Sutra age appear to have worn garments made of cotton, wool, flax, hemp, animal skin, silk, and bark;
the last two kinds were probably used exclusively at religious rites and sacrifices. Ksauma and Kauseya are the
words used to denote clothes made of linen and silk respectively. An upper garment and a lower one were usual. On
certain occasions, the turban (usnisa) was also used. Adhivdsa is the term used to denote an upper garment.
Prdvarana is also found to indicate a wrapper or an outer cover. Both weaving and sewing appear to have been in
vogue. Kumba-kurlra appears to have been gold ornaments attached to the head-dress; some however, take it to
mean a hair-net. Blankets of wool (Kambala) and of the hair of mountain goats (Kutapa) were used also used. As far
as ornaments are concerned, both males and females of the
Sutra age appear to have worn them. Apart from earring and
other stuffs of gold and silver, niska or necklace worn round
the neck, made mostly of gold and sometimes also of silver; it
appears to have been used by both men and women. Rukma,
made of gold or silver, seems to have been a encircling
ornament, with 21 studs sewn in a strap of deer-skin and
strung on a three-fold hempen cord, worn round the neck.

The use of flowers and flower-garlands, especially in marriage
and other ceremonial occasions were also in vogue. Other aids to enhance one`s beauty included mirror, collyrium
and fragrant unguents. Several other forms of hair-style were obviously in trend. Shaving the head and beard was
necessary on certain occasions, for example Srauta sacrifices and at the end of the period of mourning. Women
sometimes used to keep two locks of hair.

The different kinds of fabric, used for making garments, according to Panini included Kauseya meaning silk cloth,
woollen cloth and cotton cloth. Some of the garments were antarlya, pravara and Brhatika. Antarlya appears to
denote cloth directly covering the body. Pravara seems to have been a wrapper. Brhatika was, perhaps, an upper
garment thrown over the shoulders, and hanging down to the knees. Several kinds of blankets appear to be referred
to by Panini and Patanjali. Beautifying the body with ornaments and various kinds of decoration in the Paniniyan age
includes aids like Darpana (mirror), anjana (collyrium), mala (garland), gandha (perfume), danda (stick), asi (sword),
updnah (shoes), the last three appear to have been used by males.

Costumes in Epic Age
Several references are found about the costumes of ancient India in the greatest
epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. In Ram numerous references to clothes especially glittering robes have been
found. The grown-ups appear to have worn two pieces of garments, one lower and the other upper; the former
called vastra and the later uttariya. Women also used an uttariya and an adhovastra. The words sucl (needle) and
tunnavdya (tailor) also occur in this epic thus symbolising that sewn clothes were in use, and sartorial service was in
demand. Kancukas or jackets and usnlsas or turbans appear to have been put on mainly by attendants and soldiers.
A kind of head-dress appears to have been put on by Raksasa women. It has been also found that wooden or
leather sandals were mainly used by men.

Of the ornaments, mainly used ones were Kundala or ear-ornament, hara (e.g. V. 9.48) or necklace, hastabharana
or bracelet, ahgullyaka or ring. Of kundala, there were two well-known types, namely karnavesta and s`vadamstrd.
Necklaces and bracelets appear to have been used by both men and women. Of necklaces, the following varieties
are mentioned in Ramayana - graiveyaka, maid hiranmayi and niska. Niska, a kind of gold-coin, was used as
necklace. Such coins were, perhaps, strung together. Several types of bracelets were ahgada or keyura, pdrihdrya
and valaya. Girdles were probably worn by women only. Further, Nupura, with tinkling bells attached, was used by
women. Floral decorations were in use among both males and females. The people of the epic age appear to have
been particular about their hair. The common practice among women seems to have been to divide the hair into two
halves by drawing a line across the middle of the head and to make two braids hanging loose. There are references
to soldiers keeping their hair well-groomed.

Cloths of different colours appear to have been put on in the Mahabharata age. Red was the colour appropriate in
war. Garments varied according to different regions and subsequently the festive dress of the Ceylonese appears to
have been studded with jewels and the Kiratas living in hilly regions used to wear animal skin. Even Raksasas are
found to have put on very fine cloth. The Mahabharata bears out the use of ornaments, mostly of gold, even among
the males. It is curious that ear-rings were used even by males. Interestingly, the people of this age appear to have
been particular about hair-dressing. It is believed that horn of a buffalo was in use for blowing or wearing a horn on
the head; even today people of some aboriginal tribes are found with horns on their heads. Not much information
about the garments of women is found in Mahabharata. At the time of marriage, brides appear to have worn silk
cloth usually of red colour. Women appear to have used ornaments like necklace, ear-ring, jewels, niska (gold coin),
conch-made things, bracelet, etc. Flowers and garlands were widely used in the epic age.

Costumes in Age of Puranas
The main materials used for the garments in the Puranic age include
cotton, silk, wool, linen. The mention of Prdvarana is found. It
appeared from the Puranic texts that sometimes the hairs were
completely shaved or shaved partially and sometimes a tuft was
kept. Long hair and dishevelled hair was also disliked. Further,
unkempt beard was probably disliked. The Indian Puranas mention
the head-dresses usnisa and mukuta, the former more frequently.
Among ornaments, it mentions keyura, ahgada and waist-bands are
also found. Some kinds of perfumes and collyrium are also
mentioned in it.

Moreover, Pali works contain descriptions of the garments mainly of
the Buddhists. The Dhammapada refers to people clothed in yellow robes and describes ear-rings made of precious
stones. Thus, from all the references of these literary sources it can be said that costumes in ancient India were
really diverse and colourful.
(Last Updated on : 14/03/2014)

I. Ancient History(3300-600 BCE)
Ancient Greeks
The West

The only developments worthwhile in the west, at this time, were in Greece.
The ancient Greeks wore a drape known as 'Chiton'. This drape was held together
with the help of girdles.
Brooches were one of the important accessories.


The sculpture of a priest from Mohen-J o-Daro
wearing an upper garment and jewellery.
India
1) Indus Valley Civilization:
Figurines from the Indus Valley Civilization showed both men and women draped in
a single or two pieces of cloth.
Often, the torso was left bare by both men and women.
A lot of heavy jewellery was worn, usually made of gold.


Pooja Sharma, who plays Draupadi in the Star Plus
version of the Mahabharata, is shown here clad in the three-piece Aryan attire which includes
the antariya, uttariya and kayabandh.

2) The Aryan Age:
With the invasion of the Aryans, came a new style of clothing
During the Vedic age, three pieces of clothing were often worn- theuttariya (dupatta),
the antariya(dhoti) and the kayabandh (strip of cloth used as a blouse).
Men usually wore only the uttariyaand the antariya.



I llustration of a J ain woman wearing a
bhairnivasani.
3) Birth of stitched clothing:
In certain parts of India, the antariyaevolved in the bhairnivasani, an ancient form of
the Ghagra, which was stitched on one side and tied around the waist with a girdle.
Until this time, stitched garments were considered inauspicious.
This style of the Ghagra is still worn by Jain nuns in India.





II. Middle Ages (400-1500 C.E.)
Commoners in medieval Europe
The Middle Ages in Europe are often known as the Dark Ages.
The West
Women's attire comprised of long gowns that were figure-hugging and flowy.
Men wore leather or woolen bodices with tights. The clothing was coarse and durable.
There were not many changes in medieval fashion except heavier ornamentation
introduced by Italian rulers and elaborate headdresses.
India
Dancers of the Mughal court
The Muslims brought to India a new range of stitched clothing with a greater variety
of style, fabric and ornamentation.
Women's attire consisted of the ungia or choli along with an equivalent of aghagra,
while men worekurta-pyjama andangrakha.
Even women wore kurtas over the ungia sometimes and pyjamasunder the
transparent ghagra.
This kind of clothing was also preferred by the Rajputs overdhotis as it provided
better mobility.


III. Elizabethan Era (1558-1603)
Queen Elizabeth I ruled during the height of the English Renaissance.
Queen Elizabeth I
The West
This period had the most elaborate and glamourous fashion scene that Europe has ever
seen.
An Elizabethan ensemble typically consisted of a bodice, a fluffy collar or ruff, an
ornamented bodice called partlet and a huge skirt called kirtle.
Men's attire consisted of a doublet, hose, breeches and ruff.

A later Mughal woman's ensemble prevalent in the
Mughal court.
India
The later Mughal era had already started and the modern day anarkalis were in their
early stages.
Elaborate embroidery and long silhouettes became common in the Mughal court.
The modern-day sharara, a kind of lower garment similar to palazzo pants was also
taking form.





IV. Georgian Era (1714-1830)
The Georgian Era is named so because all the four kings who ruled in England during
this period were named 'George' (George I, George II, George III and George IV)

The West
The early Georgian period saw women in flowing 'sackback' dresses that were
comparatively flat in the front and large, balloon-like at the back.
Men wore tailcoats and their breeches became tighter. Their waistcoats extended
down to a little below the waist.
Powdered white wigs for formal occasions became fashionable during this time.
In the later Georgian period (1799-1830), clothes became even lesser ornate.The waist
was allowed to retain its natural form. Large hats became a common accessory.

India
Outside of the Mughal court, the modern-day sari had taken its form.
Different parts of India saw a different style of draping the sari.
This painting by Raja Ravi Verma shows women from all over India in saris draped in
different ways along with other kinds of garments, including ghagra-choli and even
western clothing.

V. Victorian Era (1837-1901)
The Victorian Era refers to the reign of Queen
Victoria. By now, India was already under British rule.
The West
Women wore dresses with puffed sleeves, while the rest of the dress was kept simple
and elegant with intricate and realistic flower patterns.
Short, smart hats became a common item in the Victorian woman's closet.
Bonnets were often worn by peasant women. Common accessories
were umbrellas, ribbons and sashes.
Jewellery was worn more often.
Men's fashion had evolved and came very close to modern-day suit. Blazers were
introduced during the 1890s.
Men wore top hats, trousers, shirts, waistcoats and neckties. A walking stick was a
common accessory.
India
Indian women stuck to the traditional
sari, salwar kameez and ghagra-choli.
Men, however, adopted the British upper garments, shirts and blazers, and wore them
often with dhotis.

These were the eras of fashion. Once the 20th century descended and the Industrial
Revolution took place, the face of fashion changed with rapidity, never to look back.
1920s

'The Roaring Twenties' were a time of great economic prosperity.
Women became independent and did everything to show it, from smoking cigarettes
to cutting their hair short (remember bob-cut?).
Women broke away from the rigid Victorian style of dressing and dresses became
short with an unapologetic sex appeal.
Lots of glitter and a flimsy frame were characteristic of the clothes of this time. These
rebellious women were termed flappers.
1940s

The unbridled, free-thinking 20s woman had been replaced by a more reserved,
mature and sophisticated woman.
Women popularly wore collared dresses and prints.
Dresses were knee-lengthed and short hair was still in fashion.
Shirts and pleated skirts were common.This trend continued through the 50s.
1960s

The 60s was the decade that brought in a new wave of change in the world of fashion.
The bikini came into fashion in 1963 after it was featured in the music 'Beach Party'.
Mary Quant invented the mini-skirt and dresses in general became shorter.
The hippie culture came in during the late 60s and it became revolution in the world
of fashion.
Bell-bottoms, loose shirts, long hair, and most importantly, the creation of pants for
women changed the direction of the history of fashion.
1970s

The 1970s saw two new kinds of music
genres emerge- disco and punk.
The disco look was all sparkly and dressy. It usually included bell bottoms, big
jewellery and jackets, and was complete with some noticeably large hair up-dos.
Punk, on the other hand, was a chilled-out look. The punk could be seen sporting
jeans, loose shirts, jackets and shaggy hair.
The denim had come into fashion and was rapidly becoming a favourite.
1980s

In the 1980s, fashion became about vibrance and boldness.
Clothes were usually vibrantly coloured and had large shoulders.
Loose cardigans were quite a trend, often accessorised with large earrings.
Heavy make up and large, puffy, curly hair was common.
The 80s were all about being loud and colourful.
1990s

The final decade of the 20th century gave up a lot of its previous quirks and brought
with a more casual, comfortable and less pretentious clothing.
Loose high-waist denims, large loose shirts, half-sleeved sweaters and simply combed
hair gave the 90s look a soothing and warm touch.
Post 2000
In the 21st century, greater variety has come to fashion. From low to high-waist pants,
from mini to knee-length skirts, and from straight to voluminous hair, everything has
been tried and tested. The current trend allows us to be free make our own style
statement!

Between 321 BC and 850 AD India was one of the worlds great civilizations. Parallel to the Roman Empire
in the west and the Chinese Empire in the East, Chandragupta Maurya founded the first large empire in
India (including the present day Pakistan and Afghanistan). Trade links to the east and west were already
established. Textile and spices were among the most prominent trade items from India.

Probably owing to the climatic conditions, the Indians did not feel the need of
cut and stitched garments. Cotton was first grown and used in India. Indians
had mastered the art of embellishing the cloth. They used gold and silver in
their clothes. The Ancient Indian costumes belonging to the Vedic and post-
Vedic period (1500 BCE to 350BCE) generally consisted of three articles of
clothing for men and women alike. These were not cut and sewn garments,
but rectangular pieces of beautiful textiles. There was the Antariya, which
was like a loin cloth. The ways and variety of draping it were many. It could
be worn simply wrapped around with pleats in front. It could be taken in
between the legs in kaccha style, or could have the loose end pleated like a
fan. The fabric ranged from sheer to thick depending on the person wearing
it. Sculptures of the periods show varying lengths of the antariya, ending as
high as modern day hot pants, or as low as the ankles.

The other rectangular piece of cloth was the uttariya which was like a
mantle. It covered the upper part of the body. The Uttariya could be worn
across the back, resting on shoulders and left to fall freely on the forearms.
Sometimes women took two uttariyas, one draped beautifully on the head,
and the other across the arms. All this while there was no covering on the
breasts.

Yet another piece of clothing was kayabandh, which was like a belt to hold the Antariya in place. The
kayabandh could also be tied in various styles; it could be taken around the body two or three times, and
tied with different kinds of knots. The sculptures reveal that Atariya was always tied below the navel,
emphasizing the curves of the female form. Both men and women wore ample jewellery, and adorned
themselves with flowers.

During the Mauryan period, the basic articles of clothing remained the same. Chandragupta Maurya, who
founded the Maurya dynasty in 320 BC, himself married a princess from the Greek Selucid court and was
in close touch with his Greek neighbors, so that court life had about it a strong exotic flavor with its
foreign inmates wearing their own costume, Alkazi, 2006. The Indians had trade links with Romans,
Instead of linen and wool, women preferred lighter, softer materials, cotton stuffs from India and, most of
all, silks, which reached Rome by the land routes of the Empire or through Indian and, later, Egyptian
traders., Boucher 1998.