I am fascinated by the dress which is mandated by religions other than my own. It's interesting to see how some forms of dress were adopted as a convenience and became a mandate, such as Catholic Nuns' habits, and how some forms of dress were adopted to promote modesty. Further, and more disappointingly, some forms of dress were adopted for the purpose (albeit not overtly) of maintaining male control (dominance) over females.
We did not speak of how clothing can be symbolic, representative of religious principles, or mnemonic devices, to remind the disciple of certain ceremonial covenants, or principles, so that the disciple could keep those principles of personal conduct and future reward foremost in mind during secular activity.
I view "sacred" clothing to be sacred not by virtue of some supernatural power which they posess, but rather, they are sacred because they remind us of sacred truths which they may represent. When the disciple is taught to hold an article of clothing as "sacred", it is not to revere the clothing, itself, but to hold in awe and reverence the principles which the article of clothing represents. By desecrating the article of clothing, or by treating the ritualistic use of said article of "sacred" clothing in too cavalier or casual a manner, the disciple is symbolically disrespecting the priciple which it represents, or not holding the principle in the proper reverence.
I feel that the ritualistic use of clothing as a mnemonic device is both useful and beneficial. When we hold these articles of clothing in the proper esteem, we may retain and put into practice in everyday life, those principles which are symbolized by the clothing, thus, bringing us closer to our ideal of behavior, with its positive consequences.
I have been reading a book, The Gate of Heaven, by Matthew B. Brown (1999, Covenant Communications, American Fork, Utah). Mr. Brown discusses the symbolism of sacred articles of clothing used by the ancients both ritually, and in every day living. For example, he states (and I'm paraphrasing, here -- not plagiarizing, since this is not a formal document, and I'm not claiming these ideas as my own) that Jewish lore put forth the idea that the clothes (coats of skins) given to Adam and Eve were "high priestly garments" formed to be like those garments worn by angels. Now, if a man and woman were to be dressed after the manner of angels, wouldn't that be tantamount to affirming their great worth?
He further discusses the ceremonial aprons worn by the temple priests of ancient Israel, comparing them to the aprons of fig leaves which Adam and Eve used to cover themselves after learning that they were naked. Furthermore, the fig leaves were supposed to have come from the tree of knowledge, according to some Jewish legends, symbolizing the newly aquired mortality of Adam and Eve.
Priestly attire was put on, prior to officiating in sacred ordinances, I'm guessing, to symbolize that the priest was properly cleansed (in body, which symbolizes the appropriate preparation necessary to put the priest in the proper spirit for officiating in those ordinances. As a matter of interest, Latter Day Saints dress themselves in white, when attending the Temple, signifying two things: that he or she is worthy to be in the Temple (has cleansed him or herself spiritually, by preparation, and by observing certain minimal requirements for attendance), and that all of God's children are of equal worth in His eyes -- no one is of less importance than another. Stop and think of what the consequences of remembering these two principles might be -- rigorous attention to daily behavior, making the person more socially compatible, and an acceptance of the equality of all men and women, eschewing gender, racial, and ethnic inequality and bigotry.
These are just a few examples of how religious dress, when used properly, can enhance the lives of women and men. Unfortunately, because of the superstitious nature of man, sacred clothing is often taken out of context, resulting in the partial deification of those items of clothing, or in the attribution of supernatural power to those articles of clothing by man (not by God). Eventually, it may lead to apostasy from priniples of truth, or to abuse of said articles by unscrupulous individuals.
The trick is to keep "sacred" clothing in their proper context.
