Is My Tailor a Sinner? Fashion, Economics, and Moral Theology in Early Modern France

Early modern theologians’ concerns about the fashion industry’s moral implications impacted tailoring practices and the evolution of clothing. Casuistry, a case-based moral reasoning method, helped to shape ethical norms, and tailors were not exempt from scrutiny, with some casuists emphasizing tailors’ moral responsibility in ensuring decency and modesty. The tension between moral imperatives and economic realities caused some tailors to cite customer demands and the risk of losing clientele as reasons for producing immodest garments. This article highlights the complex interplay of morality, economics, and society in the fashion industry during the Early Modern Era.