As history moved forward, the body—once celebrated, once displayed in all its glory—began to be veiled, obscured by layers of clothing. The Middle Ages introduced a new understanding of the body, one that was tied not just to function but to moral standing. Modesty became the ultimate virtue, and clothing was used not only to protect but to conceal.
In many parts of the world, clothing became a symbol of moral worth. The more a person covered their body, the more virtuous they were seen to be. In Christian Europe, especially, modesty became a key tenant of religious teachings. The human body was no longer something to be paraded, but something to be hidden away. Veils, heavy fabrics, and layers of clothing became the norm.
Yet, as clothing became a marker of moral superiority, something insidious began to unfold. Who benefited from this ideal of modesty? The individual who followed the rules of society, or the systems of power that dictated the worth of one's body through clothing? In the societies where modesty ruled, clothing was more than just a moral statement—it was a mechanism of control.
Had we really liberated the body by hiding it, or had we simply created a new form of imprisonment? The more we covered ourselves, the less we showed, the less we revealed about who we truly were. What had once been a practical covering for survival was now a symbol of shame, of restraint, of fear.