The Bible teaches that believers are not to fret over what they are going to wear (Matt. 6:25-30), they are not to judge others by what they wear, nor are they to show favour based on how well someone is dressed (James 2:2-4).  They are to be generous in clothing the poor (Matt. 25:36, 44).  Embroidered cloth, leather sandals, and fine linen were typical clothing (Is. 3:18-23; Ezek. 16:9-13).  Gold and silver jewellery included bracelets, necklaces, earrings, crowns, and even nose rings – often encrusted with jewels.

Both men and women in Bible times wore tunics as their primary garments.  These were loose fitting, dresslike garments with sleeves to the mid-forearm.  They were tucked at the west, sometimes by a money pocket, a belt, or, more commonly, a sash.  Women’s tunics were usually decorated with embroidery.  A man was forbidden by the Law to wear a woman’s garment, and vice versa (Deut. 22:5).

“A MAN WAS FORBIDDEN BY LAW TO WEAR A WOMAN’S GARMENT, AND VICE VERSA”

Fabrics mentioned in Scripture include goat and camel hair (Matt. 3:4), leather (Matt. 3:4), linen (Lev 16:4; Ezek. 16:10; Rev. 18:12; 19:14), and wool (Job 31:20).  In Bible times, the texture of a garment was a sign of wealth.  Rough-textured garments were worn by the poor.  Since dyes were expensive, garments generally were in the natural colours.  The Isrealites, however, did weave coloured threads – including gold thread – into the fabrics of special garments (Ex. 39:3).

Head Coverings included veils that were used to hide a woman’s beauty from strangers until she was united with her husband in marriage.  Once married, an Isrealite woman was not bound to wear a veil, but she generally continued to cover her face in the presence of strangers (Gen. 24:65).  High priests covered their heads in the temple, and women also were admonished to cover their heads in worship services of the first-century church (1 Cor. 11:5-6).

Footwear, especially sandals, provided protection from scorching sands and rocky paths but were not worn inside homes.  Hosts showed kindness to their guests by removing their shoes at the home’s entrance and washing their feet (Luke 7:44; John 13:5).  Shoes were also removed in the temple and on “holy ground” and were not worn during times of mourning.  Footwear also has symbolic meaning in the Scriptures.  Boaz sealed his marriage contract with Boaz using a shoe (Ruth 4:7-10).  To lift up your shoe to show its sole or heel to another person was considered an insult (Ps. 41:9).