Monday, December 05, 2005
Developing a new habitI have been reading a lot about the Cisterians (a monastic reformers group in the 12th century). They started a new monastic movement that rallied against the monastic groups of their day because of their rich and lavish lifestyles.
At the end of the 11th century many monastic houses (famously cluny) had become very rich, having much land and property. Becoming a monk in one of these monasteries was actually rather like staying in a nice modern hotel today – 3 - 4 hot meals a day, lovely comfy beds, nice comfortable surroundings and a really lovely habit (the monastic 'cassock') decorated with expensive fabrics and jewels in some cases.
One of the first things the did was introduce a plain white habit, that was cheap to produce and had no fine detailing and jewels on it. It was an outward sign of their inward vows to poverty, chastity and obedience.
I have been reflecting on this reform movement and our own context. Clothing today is a vast global empire, dominated by western companies, many of which are making a quick buck by exploiting the cheap labour available from the global south (as well as exploiting child labour in some cases).
On a more personal scale, what you wear defines you, it reflects your tastes, choices and values. You can see that by wandering into a Weatherspoons bar and checking out what the guys and girls are wearing, then head off to a slightly more upmarket place like the LAB bar in soho and finally go somewhere swanky like the St Martins Hotel Bar, you will quickly see the place of clothing in our social orderings and groupings. It defines to a certain point where you belong, who you are and where you are likely to be accepted.
I try and buy clothing that is well made, lasts and is ethical (from howies for instance) - I see this a partly being informed by my Christian view of life, yet I find diesel, carhartt and other quite expensive brands very alluring, and my wife will tell you I have a penchant for nice skater shoes.
So my question (sorry its taken so long to get to it) is not so much how should we live, but what should we wear? Should we, like the Cisterians, wear simple plain clothing that is well made and cheap (from a good source)? Should we perhaps adopt a habit that is brandless, plain and simple? Using this as an outward sign of our desire for simplicity in life, as a sign against clothes as a status and therefore excluding signifier. I find the idea very attractive on one level. What does everyone else think?
