Literary notes about Apparel (AI summary)
In literature, the term "apparel" functions not only as a descriptor of clothing but also as a symbol of identity, status, and transformation. In some narratives, it highlights opulence or refinement—for instance, characters don the richest or finest apparel to signify their elevated position ([1], [2], [3])—while in other contexts it contrasts wealth with poverty or modesty, as when plain or mean apparel underscores humility or social disadvantage ([4], [5]). Additionally, apparel is sometimes instrumental to themes of change and disguise, as characters swap garments to mirror inner transformation or conceal their true selves ([6], [7], [8]). Thus, across a range of literary works from classical epics to modern novels, "apparel" is imbued with layered meanings that go far beyond mere physical coverings ([9], [10], [11]).
- So each of them clad himself in the richest of his apparel, and they went forth, followed by three memlooks, and repaired to the garden.
— from The Thousand and One Nights, Vol. I. - Elated at the prospect of immediate liberty, she decked herself and little Emmy in their best apparel, and accompanied him with a joyful heart.
— from Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup - 17 it is said that, at the transfiguration of our Lord, Vestimenta ejus facta sunt alba sicut lux, his apparel was made white like the light.
— from Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais - For if there shall come into your assembly a man having a golden ring, in fine apparel; and there shall come in also a poor man in mean attire: 2:3.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - The peasants are poorly lodged, meagre in their looks, mean in their apparel, and remarkably dirty.
— from The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by T. Smollett - But doth he know that I am in this forest, and in man's apparel?
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - And she arose and went her way: and putting off the apparel which she had taken, put on the garments of her widowhood.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - My apparel having been wet, the menials at the command of the king gave me other clothes.
— from The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 - "The apparel oft proclaims the man;" the voice always does—it is one of the greatest revealers of character.
— from The Art of Public Speaking by Dale Carnegie and J. Berg Esenwein - when the weather is a litte warm this robe is thrown aside and the leather truss or breech-clout constitutes the whole of their apparel.
— from The Journals of Lewis and Clark, 1804-1806 by William Clark and Meriwether Lewis - Tea at the Beehive apparently involved a complete change of apparel.
— from A Room with a View by E. M. Forster