You probably opened this article only to write your weighty “no” in the comments without reading and without going into the essence and to convict the author of the sin of sodomy. But we're not talking about dressing up as women. We will talk about things that are usually seen on women. However, these wardrobe items have exclusively masculine roots, and if you discard stereotypes, you will find that on men they look no less charming and even brutal.
heels
If we are talking about heels, then it would be reasonable to ask: can women wear them themselves? Because this piece of wood nailed to the sole was created in those immemorial times when a horse was both a luxury and a means of transportation. To prevent the boot from falling out of the stirrup, and to make it easier to control the nags, a forgotten genius came up with a heel. Another version: the inhabitants of medieval cities, buried in flowing shit and dirt, got tired of scraping their shoes. So they came up with shoes with a high platform, which over time developed into heels. So this, among other things, is also practical.
Therefore, if we are not talking about stiletto heels, then heels are not only possible, but also necessary to be worn. For example, they will visually add a few centimeters if nature has deprived them. And if we are talking about hefty boots or classic shoes, then this, among other things, is beautiful and courageous. Brutal, sophisticated classics are not moccasins and boat shoes, but powerful, mirror-polished shoes with a pointed toe.
Bags
Women are comfortable - they have small bags where they can throw everything from cosmetics to a scattering of pepper spray and a bag and feel comfortable. Men have to stuff their belongings into their pockets, which makes it seem like you either have a square, angular body or bricks in your pockets. It looks terrible and in fact is uncomfortable, so the fashion gods have given their go-ahead - wear small, effeminate bags.
Although why are women's bags, many men's bags are now being produced, whose roots can be clearly seen in the bags of messengers and postmen - those same square leather bags with a shoulder strap in which packages of special importance were hidden. If you have enough money for a product made of good leather or good dermantine, then the image will instantly add a couple of points in brutality. However, remember that you should not take them to work, business meetings and major events like the symposium of young kumys producers - only a briefcase is suitable for these cases.
Scarves
Some guys are hesitant to wear scarves because they are... soft, feminine, and worn by imposing critics of questionable orientation. But if you live in an area where minus 20 degrees is normal, then you must understand that a scarf is better than laryngitis and sore throat. In the end, you don’t have to wear it over outerwear; you can hide it under a jacket.
Scarves are soft because they are meant to keep your neck warm and comfortable. About a hundred years ago, when planes were open and often crashed, pilots wore silk scarves during flight to protect their necks and faces from wind. Moreover, for thousands of years, scarves have been used to differentiate soldiers in the army. Simply put, they were used instead of shoulder straps. Each regiment had its own color - so in the heat of battle you could distinguish each other and control the people subordinate to you.
What is the difference between men's scarves and women's ones? Length and height. Not even the brightness and patterns, although many men are repelled by the excessive clumsiness and brightness. In fact, women wear gray scarves with no less pleasure.
But here’s the paradox: maybe you should try the female version. You see, it just might be more comfortable and look more appropriate on your long neck. It is impossible to visually understand whose it is - male or female. But it will look better.
Well, so that there are no doubts at all, experiment with knots. Some are considered more masculine, some are more appropriate for celebrations, and some should be chosen strictly for outerwear. Try a knot called “ascot”, considered the most masculine and comfortable. But no matter how hard you try, you will still be far from the brutality of Boyarsky in the “Green-Eyed Taxi” video.
Coat
Now everyone, from a bulimic model to an accountant from Saransk, wears long jackets and coats. But if we go back in time, we see that men have been wearing similar items of clothing for centuries.
Take the trench coat - a knee-length, waterproof raincoat originally made for soldiers during the First World War to protect them from cold and rain. They fought mainly in trenches filled with water and rats, and, of course, much movement was not expected in such conditions. Later, the trench coat became an integral part of the images of Inspector Clouseau (The Pink Panther) and Rick Blaine (Casablanca).
But over the years, women began to appear in trench coats much more often than men. And taking into account the fact that the only difference between men's and women's models is the location of the buttons on different sides, some are embarrassed to wear clothes that have been associated with women's wardrobe for the last 20 years. But if you suddenly decide to buy it, don’t be shy, take it in memory of the allies in the First World War and don’t worry. This is one of the most convenient and practical models outerwear that has ever been invented.
Stop thinking that everyone will see you as a pervert in women's clothing. Everyone will think you're a Columbo fan, a John Constantine fan, or an old-school Samurai movie fan. Maybe even too old school. Better think about choosing the right type of coat or raincoat. Take into account your height, because if men can wear a raincoat to the knees, then it is better not to take anything shorter. For short people, it is better to choose shorter models.
Flip-flops
Flip-flops, aka slates (in honor of the factory from the city of the same name, which produced them in the era of queues and worship of Lenin), aka flip-flops. Slides - shoes are very light and unobtrusive, both in terms of wear and visually. Therefore, when light green slippers dangle on someone's healthy, hairy ankle, others have questions and doubts. Especially when a midshipman in flip-flops is seen in places where Asian shoes are inappropriate - for example, in a bank or university. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to use slates strictly for their intended purpose - that is, on the beach, in the sauna, in the pool or at home.
If we are talking about moving around the city in the hot summer, then it is better to use sandals. They are much more functional, more convenient and look logical. The main thing is not to wear socks. We understand how beautiful and elegant it is, but for God's sake, don't embarrass yourself.
There is another way out - to wear light summer shoes such as boat shoes, but here, as they say, you need to look at the weather, since there is a chance that after a walk you can pour sweat out of them. And not everyone knows how to wear them.
Sunglasses
Should I tell you why sunglasses are not so much for style, but for maintaining the functionality of your clear eyes? They protect the eyes from harmful effects UV rays, dirt and debris, and can also reduce eye strain when we're outdoors.
Now the question is: how many unisex style glasses do you know? That’s right, almost all the models and shapes that are popular today. There are, of course, giant half-face glasses with too smooth shapes and graceful shades that give off a feminine look. And if at the same time you wrap a scarf around your head, there will be no doubt about you. But otherwise, the differences between men's and women's glasses are insignificant. Therefore, choose glasses in accordance with the shape of your head, size and proportions of your face. The main thing is that it is comfortable and beautiful. Not gay, but beautiful, courageous, like Harvey Keitel. You know, sometimes what is supposedly intended for ladies looks as great on a man’s face as it does on Stallone in Cobra.
Makeup
The reality is that makeup hasn't always been a tool reserved exclusively for women. Makeup is a cultural practice with over 2,000 years of history, shared by both genders. The Romans used butter and barley flour to cover up pimples. Some already highlighted their hair to look younger, so don’t scold Messi, Smolov and your neighbor, whom you consider a homosexual for his changed hair color - maybe he has Latin roots and sacredly honors his ancestors. Moreover, the harsh sea wanderers - the Vikings - wore eyeliner and makeup back in 950. Of course, they didn’t look like the ruddy-cheeked vanguard of a gay pride parade, but still very specific.
Nowadays, not only gays wear makeup, but also various TV personalities who don’t really want traces of yesterday’s vice to be visible to the whole country. Therefore, they cover up all their bags under their eyes, all their pimples and herpes as best they can. Because the viewer is accustomed to photogenic, beautiful people, and the TV picture must be appropriate. If you ever manage to get into the studio, a powdered brush will pass over your face anyway.
And that’s it, there’s no need to wear makeup anymore and there’s no reason to. People won't understand. If your skin is as scary as a nuclear attack, then take care of it, treat your acne, and plaster your face... we are very worried about your health. They will kill you and call you a bad name.
Some people are interested in whether it is possible to cover their nails with colorless varnish so that they stop crumbling at least for a second. So, you can apply colorless strengthening varnish to your nails. You can also go for a manicure. But it’s better to try changing your diet so that nothing else crumbles.
What can be considered women's and men's clothing? In ancient paintings, men are depicted in robes-dresses, which in our era are worn mainly by women. In winter, I saw several religious women who wore trousers under a long coat, is this correct? Or they are dressed in a knee-length coat with leggings underneath, the kind of clothes men once wore. Please explain, this is very important to me.
Priest Afanasy Gumerov answers:
The prohibition against women wearing men's clothing was first made in Deuteronomy: “A woman should not wear men’s clothing, and a man should not dress in women's dress“For whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deut. 22:5). The law was connected with the fact that many pagans surrounding the Jewish people considered unnatural forms of debauchery to be normal. For this purpose, disguises were made. In Christian times, the prohibition to wear clothes that did not correspond to gender was made by two Councils: the VI Ecumenical Council and the Local Council of Gangra. The first prohibits Christians from participating in pagan festivities (games, dances and dressing up): “no husband should dress in women’s clothing, nor a wife in her husband’s clothes; do not wear comic, or satirical, or tragic disguises...” (rule 62). The Gangra Council decreed: “If a certain wife, for the sake of imaginary asceticism, changes her attire, and, instead of ordinary women’s clothing, puts on men’s clothing: let her be under an oath” (Rule 13). This prohibition was directed against the error of the Eustathians (followers of Bishop Eustathius of Sebastia).
Of course, modern women, when putting on trousers, are guided by other motives. But we must have spiritual sensitivity and respect the norms that have developed in the Church. Not everything in our life comes down to practical use and convenience. Much in our life is symbolic. If we forget about this, we can complicate our relationships with people. To stand at the entrance to a senior’s room means to symbolically express respect for him. In ancient times, a handshake was used to seal a contract, but in our time it has become a symbol expressing mutual friendship. Wedding rings mean the indissolubility of the marriage union, etc.
Clothing also often has symbolic meaning. During times of sorrow, the Jews wore sackcloth (Ps. 68:12). They wore different clothes on days of joy: “Eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with gladness of heart, when God is pleased with your deeds. Let your garments be bright at all times, and let not the oil on your head fail” (Eccl. 9:8). The veil on the girl's head was a sign of modesty. Rebekah, seeing her future husband, “she took the veil and covered herself” (Gen. 24:65). Those invited to the wedding feast were required to dress in wedding clothes(Matthew 22:11-12). Anyone going to the House of God must also remember the holiness of the place. Anyone invited to a reception with the head of state will not neglect the accepted etiquette. Likewise, a believer must have appearance, appropriate for the place where the service to the Heavenly King is performed. Piety should not be only external, but inattention to the traditions established in the Church may be the result of its absence. Therefore, we should not only talk about trousers. It is necessary to avoid anything too colorful, bright, unusual, or loose in clothing, which can interrupt the prayerful attention of those present.
There is no need to turn to costume history or ethnography. Need to be guided modern concepts about men's and women's clothing. If some necessity prompts you to wear trousers, you need to cover them with outerwear so as not to tempt anyone.
We must apply our God-given mind to everything. If someone did not intend to go to church, and then such a desire appeared outside the house, there is no need to abandon their intention, even if the woman is wearing trousers and does not cover her head.
I would like to say one more thing. Not only parishioners, but also church workers should not make comments in church. Only a priest can do this, if necessary, outside of the service, with attention and love.
Before their fall, Adam and Eve were surrounded, as if shrouded in God's grace. This was their “clothing”, and they did not need anything else.And throughout their entire history, through all their wanderings, right up to the current extreme spiritual savagery, people have carried in the depths of their consciousness the memory of this radiant grace that illuminated and warmed their bodies and souls during the times of heavenly, sinless life. This memory, having overcome the pagan love for diversity, manifests itself in a stable, reverent attitude towards white simple long robes - this weak, crudely sensual likeness of it, which has not eroded over the centuries.
The snow-white ancient Egyptian kalaziris, Greek chitons and long white shirts of our ancestors are nothing more than expressions of this memory.
It is interesting that the ancient Egyptians, the beginning of whose culture is lost in the depths of millennia, extremely valued linen fabric of dazzling whiteness and so thin that moles on the body were visible through several layers of clothes made from it.
The ancient Hindus were able to make even thinner, completely transparent fabrics from cotton. It is not difficult to understand what could be the prototype of such robes.
White has always been a symbol of purity. Cleanliness of clothing or body was originally understood as spiritual purity, as freedom from unclean strength: it was in this sense that they spoke about an “unclean” place and, in general, about any uncleanness. The hygienic understanding of cleanliness has come in our time. In traditional Orthodox culture, cleansing the body and putting on clean white shirts was part of necessary preparation To church service, painting an icon, building a temple and other godly deeds.
Even in the modern corrupt world, a special attitude towards white robes remains. White dress the bride is still a symbol of her innocence and moral purity.
Having eaten the forbidden fruit, Adam and Eve “knew... that they were naked, and they sewed together fig leaves and made aprons for themselves” (Gen. 3:7). Their bodies, accustomed to the warmth from the grace that permeated them (remember how the snow melted around Seraphim of Sarov, so that his interlocutor Motovilov was also warmed up) felt not only spiritual, but also physical vulnerability. Instead of spiritual clothing, man received, like an animal, coarse carnal clothing. “And the Lord God made garments of skins for Adam and his wife and clothed them” (Gen. 3:21).
Clothing was supposed to not only protect from external influences, but also cover the “shame” and protect chastity. But with the development of culture, people began to use clothes for something completely different from the purpose for which they were given by the Lord. Clothes acquired a symbolic character and became a kind of language of their self-expression.
Ancient people were hardy and were not afraid of cold weather. But they put on the skins of animal totems, which replaced the true God for them, as a sign of kinship with this animal for the sake of its protection (other rituals also served this purpose, for example, the acceptance of sacrificial blood). Much later, in Ancient Rome, whose legionnaires, as you know, fought both in the north and in the south, it was customary to dress musicians whose main task there was an increase in the morale of the soldiers. This is also why savages wore skins: to intimidate the enemy, to maintain the morale of “our own people.”
An example from another era. Wasn’t it stuffy for our boyars and nobles in the summer heat under several layers of lush clothes, in a heavy fur coat, in a high throated hat? Their costume spoke of nobility of origin and high position in society. It was considered important to declare this, for the sake of this one had to endure.
Modern fashionistas have not yet outdone the French ladies of the turn of the 18th–19th centuries, who wore translucent dresses worn either over a naked body or over a wet tights, and at the same time seriously discussed the possibility of doing without any clothes at all. The shameless women of that time could not be stopped even by the exhortations of doctors who organized excursions to cemeteries to the graves of victims of the “naked” fashion who died of pneumonia.
And in photographs from the mid-19th century we see the British who came to Cuba - prim gentlemen in crinolines and tails. And this in forty-degree heat! And next to them are half-naked natives.
Photographs taken by ethnographic expeditions of the beginning of the last century in the Russian outback: village girls dressed in festive costumes. It’s the beginning of autumn, the soil is soggy underfoot. Rich brides wore leather boots, under which were worn several pairs of woolen socks with patterned edges. Nearby are girls from poor families, barefoot.
Some are not hot, others are not cold.
We adopted Christianity from Byzantium, which once mixed in its artistic crucible the traditions of a huge cultural region: Celtic, Roman, Greek, Indian and others. The ascetic idea of maintaining chastity bizarrely turned into incredible, truly oriental pomp, diversity, and overload in her costume, so that the human body turned into a stand for demonstrating all this luxury.
Rus' treated the artistic heritage of its great predecessor very selectively. “The Third Rome” scrupulously and without fuss selected from the rich Byzantine chest only that which corresponded to the calmly quiet Russian soul - simple, noble, ingenuous, full of inner, unostentatious dignity. Only that which corresponded to the purity and spirit of Christian truth.
In everyday life they lived modestly: they took all the best to church. Decoration God's temples and the liturgical vestments of the clergy of Rus' visibly revealed the greatness of the Lord and the heavenly palaces. The magnificent royal vestments were the property of the state, as were the clothes of the royal servants and servants. They were not luxury items for personal use. Their purpose is to express the high state status of Orthodox Rus', headed by God’s anointed.
Quite many essential features of our mentality have remained unshakable. Even after Peter’s reforms, which were disastrous for patristic morals, Russian ladies differed from their Western European sisters in being more modest.
In the novel “War and Peace” Leo Tolstoy, a writer who was given a very keen sense of the subtlest shades of the moral state of society, repeatedly calls out the extreme French fashion early XIX century St. Petersburg "lioness" Helen Bezukhova "naked Helen", thereby emphasizing the inconsistency of this fashion with the Russian mentality. And about another heroine of the novel, whose image is contrasted with Helen, Natasha Rostova, who is going to her first ball in her life, he writes: “Natasha seemed like a girl who had been exposed for the first time and who would have been very ashamed if she had not been assured that this is so necessary."
This fact is very significant: when Russian women put on low-cut dresses, they, as a rule, took off their crosses. If they did not do this, then it was perceived not as a manifestation of great piety, but, on the contrary, of a deep spiritual decline: the cross turned from a shrine into a beautiful trinket. This “fashion” came from France.
The famous French film star Brigitte Bardot has already “refreshed” the fashion of her depraved predecessors by wearing a cross with her light hand which again became a popular “decoration” of European women’s costume.
Generalissimo Suvorov, greatest hero of our Fatherland, wrote that for him, above all else in the world, is the honor of his daughter. Is this strange? No, it's not strange. Because he true Christian, who could not take a step without God, without prayer, understood well that no military victories would save Russia if chastity was trampled upon.
Modest behavior, chastity of a girl, condemnation of open relationships, preservation of the family - all these are the main moral components of the social system, the guarantee of the future of the country, necessary conditions raising new generations.
The denim age has arrived - a genuine revolution in clothing, reflecting a new phase in the relationship between a man and a woman. Once again the patriarchal traditions, which still persisted even in the destructive environment of communist “equality,” were shaken.
As a moral justification for denim fashion, the myth of the “comfortability” of trousers as such compared to an “outdated” skirt has finally taken hold in society. But this can only be said when comparing trousers with miniskirts. And, really, what is more convenient - to throw a skirt over your head or to fit, squirming, into two tight, prickly legs, and then suffer with a zipper that often fails? And in what outfit does a modern woman look more beautiful? In fact, the question of “simplicity” depends on habit and psychological attitude. For example, for the same Japanese, there is nothing more convenient than eating by squatting in front of a tiny table and even using two long chopsticks instead of a fork. There is hardly a European who might like this. A resident of Central Asia prefers the Turkish position for his dinner, and the ancient Greeks, Romans and representatives of many other nations reclined at banquet tables.
Whether jeans are comfortable or uncomfortable depends on how a person is used to behaving, what manners are characteristic of him. It is very uncomfortable to sit in a modest position with your knees together and your back straight. Jeans require their wearer to lounge casually on the seat, legs spread wide. In jeans, a woman can smoke freely and naturally, wear a man's haircut or tousled hair, and have cheeky conversations peppered with rude, indecent words and an abundance of slang phrases. Jeans suit a very specific lifestyle, otherwise you will look completely unnatural in them.
Another myth: trousers are supposedly warmer than a skirt. Create a draft in two passage rooms, then curtain the opening open door a simple chintz curtain reaching to the floor. You will immediately notice how much less it blows. A significant part of the cold air will seem to flow down even the thinnest, but vertically hanging fabric. So, for the information of those who claim the warmth of trousers: these clothes create a constant, very thin draft around the pelvis, which has the most detrimental effect on women's health. And in the old days, and in general, all our ancestors wore long shirts - men wore them over their pants.
If modern women's trousers create this kind of draft, and even squeeze the skin, muscles, blood vessels, then judge for yourself how useful the trousers are!
Jeans, in addition, create a constant unnatural support, pressure from below, thereby slowly but surely curving the spine, preventing the vertebrae from functioning normally. Therefore, those who constantly wear jeans from their youth develop a very specific posture - a stooped back. Of course, the degree of deformation varies, but the fact remains: among regular, long-term wearers of jeans, it is impossible to meet a person with a slender figure. Jeans simply won't tolerate this. It’s sad and funny, but there were “theorists” who justified the “beauty” of jeans by turning to... Russian icon painting! In the 1970s, an article appeared in a reputable art magazine in which it was quite seriously argued that faded and worn (and later deliberately bleached) places on jeans trace their aesthetic ancestry to the depiction of gaps on icons and frescoes.
I remember how at one student conference at a textile university a report was discussed in which a young lady, with everyone’s warm approval, proved the extraordinary femininity of jeans.
At the same university, during a seminar class, another girl dared to make a report on the Orthodox understanding of the term “femininity.” She talked about Mother of God, holy wives and their robes... The audience listened to everything in deathly silence, and even the innate student corporatism did not help: not a word of approval or support. As if we were talking about something extremely inappropriate and indecent. This is how our future fashion designers are being brought up today, the vast majority of whom are women.
Why be surprised? Understanding femininity is a kind of litmus test for the state of moral health of society.
During the period of maximum savagery of man, unknown ancient artists depicted a woman as an incredibly overweight figure (the so-called Paleolithic Venus). Such figures have no face at all, because in those days the only valued quality of a woman was her ability to reproduce.
On the contrary, the embodiment of mannerism, coquetry and a proud sense of superiority over others are the images of the so-called “Parisian women” of the Aegean culture of the mid-2nd millennium BC - painted, curled, in elaborate, low-cut dresses.
The late Renaissance ideal of Italian female beauty of the late 16th century was plump, lazy, infantile and sensual people with cow eyes.
And in Russia in the post-revolutionary era, strong girls in red scarves, rubber slippers, with sharp manners and a political economy textbook under their armpits were considered incredibly popular, and therefore feminine. To each his own.
In this sense, the sad dynamics of fashion for nudity of the female body in our time are very characteristic. So, in the 1980s, the flashing of the waist strip exposed when bending over, raising arms and some sudden movements due to an insufficiently long blouse was considered a piquant, semi-decent detail. This ended with the emergence in the 1990s of a fashion for so-called tops - short blouses like Indian choli, which now completely legally exposed the lower half of the back and stomach to the waist.
Several more years passed - the blouses, however, lengthened somewhat, but the line of the belt dropped, so that the navel was deliberately and provocatively exposed. In the hectic conditions of urban life, this does not look at all seductive and elegant, but rather physiological and unpleasant. And even piercing, this touch of Papuan fashion, indicating that the possibilities of “civilized” fashion have been exhausted and there is simply nothing further to look for in it.
And then, in exact accordance with the degrees of decline in morality, the belt line crept even lower... It’s awkward to write about this, but where to go if this is our vile everyday reality. And it truly makes you laugh through your tears when you move your eyes up from this shame and see a simple-minded face, not at all stupid and not at all depraved. A kind of modern Natasha Rostova, who is convinced that this is how you can and should dress, because “everyone” wears this way now.
Today it is easier to come to God than 20 years ago. The false ideals of the atheistic “earthly paradise” have finally been emasculated, and for many of our compatriots the time has come for genuine Christian insight. But at the same time, their own problems also came: para-Orthodox forces began to bustle around in all corners - from cynical “candlesticks” shifting from foot to foot in churches in order to gain popularity among believing voters, to a whole pack of “programmers” of all stripes, writers and breakers of all kinds “ programs" and "projects" on an Orthodox theme - on medicine and ecology, art and pedagogy.
And we also have the phenomenon of home-grown Orthodox “fashion”, born in a near-monastery environment. N.A. writes wittily about this. Pavlov, characterizing the situation in the first years of the revival of Optina Pustyn. “The pilgrims hastily changed into black from head to toe and, tying their scarves low in a monastic manner “in a frown,” called each other “mothers.” With the “priests,” the situation was like this: just at that time, a large batch of naval greatcoats was donated to the monastery, which were in great demand. Because if you add a black cap like a skufya to a black overcoat and take a heavy rosary, then the look was almost monastic" ( Pavlova N.A. Easter is red. M., 2000. P. 16).
Monastic vestments have extraordinary expressiveness, charm and attractive power for believers, for they are the material expression of a deep spiritual meaning. As for the dark clothes worn in imitation of him, they are really very beautiful and completely transform any person, be it young or old. But they are suitable only under one condition: if they correspond to the spiritual structure of its bearer. If there is no harmony between a person and the so-much-obliging semi-monastic robe, then such a costume turns into a kind of sectarian uniform, causing legitimate irritation of non-church and even church people who do not adhere to such a “fashion”.
Generally speaking, only monks are supposed to wear rosaries openly, and the discrepancy between appearance and the pretense of piety and inner attitude is not a Christian phenomenon at all.
But what, the reader may ask, should a modern Orthodox woman wear? And to this, like to any other question, the answer should be sought in the Holy Scriptures.
“And why are you worrying about clothes? Look at the lilies of the field, how they grow... But I tell you that Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like any of them; If God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more so than you, you of little faith! So do not worry, and do not say, “What shall we eat?” or “what to drink?” or “what should I wear?” Because the pagans are looking for all this, and because your Heavenly Father knows that you need all this. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:28-33).
Man comes into the world to be saved. So let's think about salvation and not waste precious time and money on all sorts of trifles. The Lord will send what we need in due time.
If you are still very young and want to be liked or are still weak in spirit to refuse some decorations, there is always the opportunity to add something to your toilet to suit your taste and pocket, without violating its modesty, suitability for your occupation, age, mandatory requirements decency accepted in Orthodoxy. The main thing is that the clothes are natural, not imposed by anyone or anything from the outside, and correspond to the state of your soul. Any fashion is a reflection of someone else’s taste, and therefore – violence.
But the most important thing is to think as little as possible about how we look in front of people, and more about how we look before the Lord, Who sees us constantly, no matter what we wear. Then we won’t have any problems with the suit.
This also applies to the habit of wearing makeup, which many Orthodox and even church women sometimes cannot overcome. We all know that distorting the image of God is a sin, but... how often we try to shift the blame onto others, like the true daughters of foremother Eve: my husband, they say, likes it this way, at work we can’t do otherwise, and so on. But if you are a good worker and your work does not contradict Christian principles, what is there to be afraid of?
For centuries, Christians have endured terrible torment for the sake of Christ, but we are afraid to wipe off the lipstick from our lips and suffer a little bewilderment from our acquaintances and colleagues.
In family life, no one has yet gained special respect, as well as lasting happiness, with the help of cosmetics and fashionable suits. If loving husband thinks that a painted wife is more beautiful, then he will soon understand his error, and this will be the first step towards achieving true Christian love in your family, which everyone, both young and old, should seek.
How did the holy women dress, before whose images we pray today? Just like all women of their time. And, undoubtedly, modestly and unassumingly, because their thoughts were occupied with completely different concerns. Painting them on icons, frescoes, mosaics, artists of different eras, as a sign of deep reverence, sometimes clothed them in lush, precious clothes of their time. But no matter what they wore, their main “clothing” was the grace of God, which made their appearance beautiful and immortal for all time.
But this does not mean that you need to cling to your fading youth, so to speak, and not give up your position without a fight. Usually it looks like this: an “elderly mermaid” with unnaturally blond hair, dressed in a tight and too short skirt, a silk blouse unbuttoned with an extra button, plus blood-red nails and the same bloodthirsty makeup... No one will convince me that from a certain point age, a woman needs to stop pretending to be a sex bomb, and really look at herself in the mirror.
The image of a sex bomb generally suits very few women, and it certainly does not suit women who are “very much for it.” Some of them, however, continue to dress as if they were still twenty-two. Which amuses others a lot.
What you shouldn’t wear after forty-five... Top 15
1. Miniskirts. Even if you have a very beautiful legs, then you shouldn’t show them more than just a little above the knee.
2. Skinny jeans, baggy jeans, low waist jeans.
3. Open and intricate high heel sandals.
4. Deep neckline (both front and back). Even Sophia Loren looks terrible with him!
5. Romantic style blouses with bows or ruffles, or even translucent ones.
6. Frivolous cotton sundresses. The only exception: your dacha.
7. Anything with glitter. And with black lace. And with leopard print. And with the tiger too. The only exception: you are Helen Mirren.
8. Leggings. Even Madonna looks stupid in them!
9. Over the knee boots with heels. I’m standing at the restaurant - it’s too late to get married, to die early?.. It’s cruel, but true.
You finally have THAT bag you dreamed of when you were sixteen (well, almost THAT, fashion never stands still, right?).
You don’t even remember when you took down and threw away your first pair of shoes for five hundred euros.
You no longer need a friend as a companion-advisor to go to boutiques.
You don’t give a damn what these disgusting old women sitting on the bench at the entrance think about you.
You are not shy about making phone calls to unfamiliar places.
You laugh when you remember your unhappy first love. And the second one. And first sex. Yes, and the second one too.
You are no longer in love with Dima Bilan and Justin Timberlake. And anyway, who is this?!
You are not embarrassed to go to a restaurant for dinner alone. And go on vacation alone.
You can meet the man you like yourself. And pay for dinner with him. And even divorce him.
You will not lose self-confidence, even if suddenly a bunch of teenagers giggle obnoxiously behind your back.
You do not hesitate to publicly declare your personal opinion, for example, Paris did not impress you, New York is too dirty, and London has too many compatriots.
Now you enjoy sex. And you know what exactly you like about this sex. And you haven’t been ashamed of THIS in front of your parents for a long time.
“A heart faithful to God will always suggest both the shape of clothing and its length,” says Priest Valentin Makarov.
Photo by Sergei Ryzhkov
In our church practice one can often find the fulfillment of minor provisions of the Mosaic Law. The most common practice is a ban on touching consecrated objects: icons, crucifixes, taking prosphora, holy water by women during periods of their physiological weakness. Some do not even allow themselves to enter the temple. Also in the old law there is a ban on wearing clothes of the opposite sex, since such an act was considered a perversion: “A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not dress in women’s clothing, for anyone who does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (Deut. 22:1-30). The emphasis is on wearing clothes of the opposite sex, and not specifically trousers or trousers. In the time of Moses, as well as in the time of Christ, clothing was approximately similar. These are robes for men, as indirectly indicated by the strict ban on raising the hem of one’s father’s clothing, and the same robe-like, only more rewound, bedspreads for women. Similarities of these clothes have remained to this day in India and the countries of the Middle East.
In modern practice there is more need to be guided by the Gospel standards of piety. A woman must remember that her appearance can become a temptation and a reason for adultery in the heart, according to the words of the Sermon on the Mount. If she takes her first steps into the temple, or something alarming and urgent has happened, then the gravest mistake would be to tell her from the start: go, change clothes and come. She came to Christ, and He did not forbid either harlots or bleeding women from touching Him. You need to be patient a little, and she will change clothes herself, because... internal transformation will inevitably be reflected externally. The main thing is that this woman returns to the temple.
In this regard, it is interesting to note this observation. If a woman wears her husband’s shirt or trousers at home or while doing housework in the yard, this does not outwardly detract from her dignity. But if a husband takes his wife's clothes, it will deprive him of all appearance. Apparently, this is indirect proof that it was “from the man who was taken to be a wife” (Gen. 2:23), and the clothing itself shows who this wife belongs to.
Young girls who are in an “active search”, copying the behavior patterns of their worldly peers, often make the mistake of trying to emphasize or highlight everything imaginable and inconceivable with clothing. And often this goes beyond acceptable boundaries or simply looks vulgar. For them, in allegorical language, we can give the following advice: let them learn to prepare and serve soup for their future husband - not too hot and not too cold, not over-salted and under-salted.
To summarize, let’s say: a skirt is good, it’s purely women’s clothing, but a skirt is different from a skirt. The most beautiful were and remain folk sundresses or similar skirts. They give a woman dignity. They beautifully hide the figure during the happy months of leisure. There is also a business fashion or business dress code. And there, too, an acceptable compromise can be found. A heart faithful to God will always suggest both the shape of clothing and its length.
