ישעיהו, פרק ג׳, פסוק כ״ב

The fashion of the era reflected a society steeped in wealth, luxury, and meticulous attention to personal style. A detailed look at the women's wardrobes reveals a wide array of garments and accessories, ranging from intimate apparel to items designed for carrying personal belongings.

The base layer of this elaborate wardrobe consisted of fine, high-quality tunics worn directly against the skin. The essence of these garments is rooted in the act of removing them. They were simply the standard clothes one takes off when undressing [רש״י]. However, another perspective suggests their removal carried a sense of urgency and care; these tunics were so exceptionally luxurious that women would rush to take them off and carefully store them away the moment they returned home [שד״ל].

Over these tunics, women wore various outer layers. The primary approach among commentators is that they wrapped themselves in large cloaks. Some detail this as a sleeveless outer garment, similar in shape to a traditional prayer shawl [שד״ל]. Yet, opinions on this specific layer vary widely. Rather than a wrapping cloak, it might have been a pair of pants [אבן עזרא], or perhaps not an item of clothing at all, but rather fine bedsheets and coverings [רש״י].

To complete the ensemble, women draped a shawl or scarf over their shoulders. This flat, spread-out piece of fabric served as a clear indicator of social status. Wealthy women paraded in thin, delicate, and highly luxurious shawls. In contrast, poorer women relied on shawls made of thick, coarse material, which were durable enough to double as carrying sacks for heavy loads like grain [שד״ל]. A simpler view, however, suggests these items were just everyday cloth napkins [רש״י].

Finally, the women carried accessories to hold their personal items. Most sources agree these were beautifully crafted pockets, bags, or purses. Still, there are differing thoughts on their exact nature. They could have been another style of shawl or an accessory featuring engraved craftsmanship [אבן עזרא]. A more unusual interpretation suggests these were not bags at all, but rather a specific piece of jewelry designed in the shape of a woman's womb [רש״י].