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Becky
Hairshirts: who’s wearing them, who’s not
by Becky - June 6, 2007 - 7:25 PM

dfgdfgHairshirts used to be the clothing article de rigueur for penance and mortification. I mean, if you bust one out now, no one’s going to argue that it’s anything less, but to an extent they’ve had their moment. Beyond their famous use by ascetics, lay persons also wore them periodically to stave off the corporeal temptations, and men of note sometimes wore them under their robes. Today only the Carthusians and Carmelites can be seen wearing them–some orders banished them because donning them became viewed as obnoxious and self-serving–but now I’m wondering: what might be the modern fashion shorthand to let the world know we’re being penitent. What’s the modern day equivalent of the hairshirt?

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Comments (13)

  1. A turtleneck? Or maybe long underwear.. ::shudder::

    posted by Celeste on 6-6-2007 at 11:53 pm

  2. The plumber butt that results from low-rise jeans.

    posted by Geek chic on 6-7-2007 at 12:23 am

  3. Pantyhose, especially during the heat of the summer!

    posted by Jill on 6-7-2007 at 4:03 am

  4. Wearing khakis or dress pants, as I’m just a jeans person, even with a jacket and tie.

    pantyhose in summer never bothered me (O:

    posted by Michael on 6-7-2007 at 5:01 am

  5. Muffin tops.

    posted by Kasee on 6-7-2007 at 7:39 am

  6. Spiked dog collar.

    posted by Rhea on 6-7-2007 at 7:41 am

  7. As far as the discomfort is concerned, I could compare a money-belt worn in the summer, in Europe… to a hairshirt. Discomfort, staving off the temptations of thieves, donning them can still be viewed as obnoxious and self serving… not to mention sweaty, sticky, and honestly, who wasn’t to accept euros when they just saw you digging them from an area just above your crotch?

    posted by Rightmer on 6-7-2007 at 7:45 am

  8. The modern-day equivalents of the hair shirt is matrimony, followed by credit cards, grand or step children, and employment at a job you hate.

    No, I am not a misogynist. I like girls.

    Doc

    posted by Doc on 6-7-2007 at 7:52 am

  9. Driving a hybrid.

    posted by DW on 6-7-2007 at 8:02 am

  10. pointy-toed shoes
    skinny jeans
    pantyhose at any time
    stiletto heels
    wool sweaters
    panties that cover one’s belly button
    tags in shirts

    posted by Amber on 6-7-2007 at 11:11 am

  11. For public displays of hollow penance:

    Those rubber “awareness” bracelets for every cause on earth, from cancer to underage drinking to freeing Paris (no, not the city)

    “We Support Our Troops (by doing nothing more than displaying this)” bumper stickers and magnets

    posted by John on 6-7-2007 at 12:03 pm

  12. I think the itchy tag in the shirt I’m wearing makes it equivalent.

    posted by priscilla on 6-7-2007 at 1:09 pm

  13. There is no modern equal.
    We are not sorry or ashamed. We’ve done nothing wrong; we’ve actually been victimized! We are misunderstood. Anyway, everybody else does it. It’s not against the law.

    posted by Bassman on 6-8-2007 at 5:21 am

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