Professional seamstress and sewer Vasi Birchwood recently published a short video on her YouTube channel on the many benefits of wearing more historical clothing and apparel, and non-conventional fabrics that are no longer in common usage today, and some of the other unexpected benefits she has observed overtime because she wears attire from centuries past.
Birchwood, of course, explained that she is wearing and making reproductions based on the era, and not the literal pieces of clothing from centuries ago.
After wearing historical fashion everyday for some years a lot of surprising benefits have to come light, and they pare of why I keep wearing it.
Some of these things make sense logically, it’s just that you don’t really believe in after you try it yourself.
She said
Birchwood listed 12 different points she has learned over the years from wearing more ancient types of clothing.
Of these points, one of the big ones are they are better suited for “drastic weather changes.” She explains how multiple layers of natural fibers do a much better job at regulating body temperature and coping with the elements, versus modern clothing.
To wit, Birchwood gives high praise to natural wool and the myriad of benefits they provide, including its versatility in the summer months, along with its slightly water-resistant and natural anti-microbial capabilities.
Because of this attire with natural fabrics are much more “sustainable,” allowing for much easier repair and longevity, compared to modern fashion that can easily erode and wear down faster. Wherefore Birchwood has said she has significantly less laundry to do, even though she has many layers she wears. Most of the base layers get washed more often, but outer layers rarely do; and because the fabrics are more versatile removing stains are easier overall.
Another point she discusses, more so in the case of woman compared to men, is added back support, namely things like wearing girdles and corsets.
Furthermore, another benefit is UV radiation protection from the sun. While getting sufficient sunlight is needed for optimal health (especially nowadays), being out in the sun for most of the day, everyday, can be harmful. The added layers can protect against this and still able to breathe due to the natural properties of the fabrics.
On top of all of this, Birchwood notes another intriguing factor that she discovered over time, and that is she observed that she has seen a substantial reduction in what’s called “cat-calling” – which Meriam-Webster defines as, “the act of shouting, harassing, and often sexually suggestive, threatening, or derisive comments at someone publicly.” Instead of having lewd comments thrown her way and being gawked at, she has received more ‘playful’ and facetious comments calling her “Amish” or “Mary Poppins,” or things like “acting in the theater,” or people simply exclaiming, “Wow, you’re dress!”
– Which I think I prefer over the alternative comments I used to receive. So, yeah, that’s oddly an improvement.
She said
All of these and more are why people like Birchwood really likes and encourages historical fashion and more robust fabrics, versus the modern, conventional standards.
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Beyond the benefits of wearing older attire have (for the reasons she listed), I wanted to emphasize her seventh point about not getting “cat-called” as much. This secular woman has just proven and validated why the King James Bible says what it says as concerning how women should present themselves and behave.
[9] In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; [10] But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. 1 Timothy 2:9-10
And yet the modern feministic-Jezebels are REPULSED at this passage, and how it demonstrates that God has it out for woman and is misogynistic, and hence why we need to “smash the patriarchy.” And I am just talking about the PROFESSING “CHRISTIANS” mind you, in their tight spandex, Converses, open bra straps; with a Starbucks in one hand, and a smart phone for their ‘duck-lip’ selfies in the other hand; in these corporate shacks called “churches.”
These neurotic Jezebels love mak’n the boys hoot & holler, drool, and simp for them, but only when they want it in that moment; and then get upset other times when they get gawked at for too long, and then treated like a piece of meat and a wench, and then get raped in an alleyway or the bushes.
Hence, this is why the Bible specifically targets women more so than men when it comes to dress, because the Lord knows all men and what is in man (John 2:23-25); and so therefore knows how men can be, so he inspires directions for women of all ages to behave and act as to showcase their honor and integrity, but to also not allow them to “sell” themselves.
There is modest apparel, and then there is “the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart” (Proverbs 7:10). Don’t play dumb, ladies: you KNOW full-good and well what gets a man’s attention in all the wrong ways.
In Proverbs 31, some of the characteristics of a virtuous women are:
[21] She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. [22] She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. [23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. [24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. [25] Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Proverbs 31:21-25
As for the practicality of more antiquated attire, I am not saying you have to wear precisely what she is wears, but to emphasize, not just modesty, but also the benefits of why you should strive to add more natural fibrous clothing in your closet.
The lambs are for thy clothing, and the goats are the price of the field.
Proverbs 27:26
Oh, by the way: the thumbnail is a picture of her wearing a 1880’s BATHING SUIT. My how have times changed…
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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Awesome article. This is a subject that interests my greatly, much like natural health. I hate polyesters and other synthetic garbage. Wool is truly an amazing fabric; in winter, I wear a merino wool base layer and yak wool socks (and these types of wool don’t itch at all), and 100% cotton clothing for the outer layers; stuff beats synthetics at keeping you warm any day.
It all ties into this:
Jeremiah 6:16
[16]Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Amen!
I agree 100%. I have a wool pullover with a hood, it’s like a hoodie. It’s good quality merino, and it is super warm and super comfortable. Good for fishing, hunting, hiking, or just chores around the homestead. Wool is great.
Most of those synthetic fibers are made of plastic and make your sweat smell worse.
To turn the clock back on fashion to the good old garments tested and true fibres , oh how I love it. Thank the Lord who gives me strength and puts talent in my hands to make all that I can from natural organic fibres.
For years I have worn nothing but cheap synthetic plastics not knowing all the damage it does to my skin and body … how cruel and greedy are the evil.
The tide will Soon turn and their reward shall be as just as they have sown. The Lord never breaks a promise
Even so come Lord Jesus.
This was interesting, though it sure is frustrating listening to a woke mistress of the ‘arts’ & Craft reinterpreting & spinning the truth. With her Goth & allied sodomite artistic friends….& the siphoned off money going to these specialists in the arts! These reactionary ….but highly selective….throwbacks to the supposedly ‘old’ ways of this generation remind me of the hippies of a generation or two back. The truth still comes out….but my, oh my, the packaging is subtly beguiling, defiling & degrading….very flattering & puffing of vain imaginations & self-righteousness!….and the souls that are lost in the meantime & in the vacuum of vanity empty of whole truth & true fulfillment in Christ & godly womanhood& femininity.
The skills themselves will no doubt prove useful to those detaching from MYSTERY & the beast system she rides, should the Lord tarry (from our perspective, of course…the Lord’s timing is always perfect). And, I can testify that modest & feminine clothing DOES cut down on the ‘cat-calls’ etc…….even from the late ’90’s onwards….EXCEPT for the confusing catty howls of ‘judgmental’, goody-two-shoes, ‘hindrance to the Gospel’, from the ‘good women of the churches’ & so-called ‘Women of Grace’ etc , the Lausanne Graham crowd, who did NOT take well to the old paths, nor to those seeking to be faithful!
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One of the hardcopy practical how-to materials I began collecting for the next generation, if any will have it, are both modest patterns & books on pattern making & fitting. Natural fabrics are great, but the tendency is for them to come from slave labor these days, & it’s very difficult to be self-sufficient in this area small-scale. Making thread. Tanning hides, working with wool & cotton. There are so many side issues & sourcing involved.
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One of the young men in the family with the blog ‘the texas boys’ has taken to learning the art of tanning & working with cowhide, selling really well-made & durable leather belts….and kudos to him, for that is quite a long, messy, & work-intensive process.
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Spinning & textile weaving is time-consuming & difficult. Buttons & some implements can be made of bone, but you tend to need wire & steel for hooks and eyes, pins & needles. Belt buckles, etc. Just observations & limitations found myself. It really IS much easier to replace or move a button or hook-and-eye to mend or adjust clothing, & zippers get more cheaply made & ridiculous wastes-of-time every year.
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In the beginning I bought secondhand wool women’s suits & had them tailored….but it’s harder to find such today & seamstresses are far & few between. Most of my clothing comes secondhand from wealthy Mennonite ‘thrift’ stores today…..still better than commie-soddie ‘Goodwill’- toward- sin & keeping people in bondage there w/ it’s college-edjitated lesbian & effeminate ‘management’ & their so-called ‘mission’. Taking advantage of compromised & crony folks’ guilt-generosity on one end, & the weak-minded & needy on the other: both ends against the middle. Salvation idolatrous humanist style.
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I admire those with the patience & skill for fine needlework & hand-sewing, tailoring, quilting etc. It is truly, truly an art, and doesn’t come naturally to many: and many men heading families pimp out their wives to more ‘productive’, fast-paced & better paying jobs coming with much bondage & sorrows as 1 Timothy 6 faithfully warns.
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She’s right about the mending, laundry, & the convenience & practicality of the undergarments with the old fabrics & styles (though many of the fashions & styles came of elite & effeminate, sodomite cronies….out of France etc, & were not practical, nor were they what the common middle class who tended to the receipt of the word of God to freedom indeed, even to crossing an ocean to a hard wilderness in order to worship free of such things… would typically have worn: the Book of Godey’s Fashions & so forth, & from which Vogue, McCalls &Redbook —Barbara Bush’s father was involved in that, & that connects in turn to Aleister Crowley…the ‘arts’ ).
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The Edwardian and Georgian eras & fashions this gal specializes in mark the turn in Great Britain toward the ‘new Corinthians’ as they called themselves, the rise of the idolatrous humanists & Fabians, & feminism….and the later stages of the rise of industrialism, new farming mechanization, & the fabric industry which figured hugely into removing people from the land, and slavery….with American south cotton, northern industrial mills, European powers manipulating, investing, highly involved through banking etc. The influence of the continental Catholic power & demoralization, the merchandising & managing of sin, the dialectic ‘conservative’ – ‘liberal’ game & switching out holiness & godliness for ‘morality’ & philosophical systematizing to the ridiculous, like the Victorians bringing the reactionaries.
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Just observations. The times they have changed, and yet there is nothing new under the sun!