Recently on the internet I have come across statements claiming that men and women in the days of Christ dressed exactly alike. Some people are asserting that since Jesus and Mary dressed in identical costume then it is highly commendable for contemporary Christians of both genders to dress the same.
However, just because to our American twenty-first century eyes certain ancient ways of dressing seem to resemble each other, it does not mean that to persons of the past it was so. Yes, the Jewish people of Jesus' time wore long flowing robes, but it should not be taken for granted that in their culture there were not strict delineations between genders. The color and make of fabric varied from person to person, according to status, tribe, age, and sex. The length of sleeves and tunics was much shorter for men than for women. The purpose and symbolism of head coverings varied dramatically between men and women. There were certain marks and distinctions of attire that were for men alone. If men and women's attire was exactly the same for the ancient Hebrews, then there would not have been the injunction in Deuteronomy 22:5 forbidding women from donning masculine dress. There was a difference between male and female clothing to them, even if it does not look that way to us. Share
