|
The norm
for the free women of the cities of Gor is
for them to wear Robes of Concealment and
veils. Women of High Caste are much more
likely to wear Robes of Concealment and
veils though many Low Caste women do as
well. The general idea of this garb is to
conceal a woman from head to toe, allowing
only her eyes to be revealed, and even if
that. This garb is reminiscent of the
clothing worn by Muslim women on Earth
though the Gorean garb may be even more
intricate and bulky. Basically, the higher
your Caste or station, the more complex your
clothing will be.
A Low Caste woman may only own a single or a
couple Robes while a High Caste women might
own dozens of different ones. The robes are
worn in layers, each outer layer being
stiffer and bulkier than the one below it.
Only a couple of robes were specifically
named in the books though undoubtedly other
robes are named as well. The street robe is
a very stiff robe and it goes over the house
robe, which is more flexible. The robes are
kept secure by a series of eyes and hooks
and it can take some time for a High Caste
women to dress in her multiple layers. She
will likely need help dressing properly.
Gloves are also commonly worn. The robes may
be of any colors though one's Caste colors
will often be the predominant color. Beneath
these robes, a woman may wear a sliplike
undergarment, its fabric dependent upon the
wealth of the woman. High Caste women are
more likely to own an undergarment of silk
or a similar material. A Low Caste woman is
more likely to wear an undergarment of rep
cloth. Bras, panties and hosiery are not
worn on Gor.
Like robes, veils are worn in various
numbers and combinations dependent upon
one's Caste and station. Many Low Caste
women possess only a single veil which must
suffice for all occasions. High Caste women
often own many veils and will wear a number
commensurate with the occasion. Some wealthy
women may wear up to ten veils on a formal
occasion. But in general, most women will
wear only one or two veils, such as the last
veil and the street veil. Each veil is
heavier and more opaque than the veil
beneath it. A veil is commonly a long length
of fabric that is wound around a woman's
head and secured by veil pins. A narrow gap
is left for one's eyes. There are a number
of veils named in the books and others may
exist as well.
The last veil, also known as the light veil,
is often worn next to one's face. It is
similar in some ways to the intimacy veil.
The intimacy veil is also worn next to the
face but it is diaphanous. This veil is long
though and can be wound several times around
one's face, thus making it more opaque with
each revolution. T he freedom veil, also
known as the citizeness veil, is worn above
the last veil. The pride veil is then worn
above the freedom veil. The house veil is
worn over the pride veil. The house veil is
often worn indoors when the household is
having guests, especially guests unfamiliar
to the woman. The street veil is commonly
the topmost veil worn in public. This veil
is very heavy and absolutely opaque. There
are also veils that signify one's position,
such as the veil of state, an item worn by a
Tatrix or Ubara. This will be an intricately
embroidered item, fancy but still opaque.
In many Gorean cities, such as Ar and Ar's
Station, it is not legally mandatory for
free women to wear Robes of Concealment and
veils. It is more a matter of custom,
tradition and modesty. But, there are some
cities that make it mandatory and repeated
violations can lead to enslavement. Part of
the justification for this garb is to
protect free women from being kidnapped by
raiders. Most men will not risk their life
to try to abduct a woman who might turn out
to be ugly. It is much more profitable to
steal a slave who they can easily see is
attractive. Gorean men are aware that many
free women do not take care of their
figures. There are Slavers though who
specialize in the abduction of free women.
"There is a Gorean saying that free women,
raised gently in the high cylinders, in
their robes of concealment, unarmed,
untrained in weapons, may, by the slaver, be
plucked like flowers." (Hunters of Gor,
p.118) |
In the
Robes and veils, it is easy for a free woman
to disguise her identity while she travels
around the city. Another justification is
that free women are supposed to be modest
and not act like a slave in any way. Wearing
clothes that are too revealing would be a
social faux pas. Even in cities where such
garb is not mandatory, there will still be
laws that prevent free women from baring too
much flesh in public. Violations of such
laws can lead to enslavement. In addition,
some High Caste women do not want the Low
Castes to see their faces. They feel they
are above the Low Castes who are not worthy
to look upon their faces.
Normally only one's family may look upon a
free women without her veil. Within their
homes, some women may not wear a veil in the
presence of certain special guests. Free
women, when drinking in public, commonly
lift their veils with their left hands to
drink. Others will drink right through their
veils. In public, some Low Caste women don't
wear veils and a few bold High Caste women
may also not wear them. This is more likely
to lead to negative ramifications for the
High Caste woman. Peer pressure helps to
contribute to women wearing veils. If a High
Caste woman does not wear veils in public,
she may find herself shunned by other women
or even publicly insulted. Women of the
barbaric lands often do not wear veils, and
even women of some of the northern cities do
not commonly wear veils. In the cities, it
is often a serious crime for someone to face
strip a free women, to remove her veils
against her will. It can be dangerous for
other reasons as well. "It is not wise to
try to tear away the garments of a free
woman with one's bare hands. They may
contain poisoned needles." (Beasts of Gor,
p.402)
Footwear for free women is commonly either
sandals or slippers, dependent on Caste.
Boots may also be worn, dependent on the
situation. Some women wear platform shoes,
especially those of High Caste or station.
For example, Talena once wore platform shoes
that were about ten inches high so she could
look down upon the citizens of Ar.
Certain women may wear garb other than
robes, dependent on the situation. For
example, wealthy free women who own
orchards, fields, ranches, vineyards or such
may wear different clothes when they are
supervising or inspecting their properties.
One type of such outfit includes a full
skirt, its hem about six inches off the
ground, a blouse, a belted jacket that falls
to the thighs, a hood attached to the jacket
by hooks, leather boots, and an opaque veil.
The height of the skirt hem is to protect it
from dirt, water or mud. Interestingly
enough, it also functions as a slave control
device for kajiri. The sight of a Mistress'
ankle, even booted, is very alluring to a
kajirus. He will want to stare at it but
understands he can be punished for doing so.
This will make him a bit tense and wary
around his Mistress and this can be used to
control the kajirus. Women who go hunting
may also wear different garb such as hunting
leathers or a tunic, long hose, a cape and
boots.
Most free women rarely wear cosmetics or
perfume, believing they are only for slaves.
But in certain cities, such as Ar, many free
women do commonly use them. There are even
stores that cater specifically to free
women. Those stores do not commonly stock
products for slaves, only free women. It is
interesting though that many perfumers,
hairdressers and cosmeticians treat their
free women clients almost like slaves. This
does not stop the free women from
patronizing their establishments. Free women
may wear upswept hairdos, something
generally not permitted to slaves who must
often wear their hair long. Some free women
even may purchase wigs or falls though they
only want items made from the hair of free
women. Women's hair is a common trade item
and is especially prized for catapult ropes.
During times of war, some free women will
give their hair to the city to use for
catapults.

|