The article contains a brief presentation of the development of monastic clothing forms in the eastern monasticism (IIIth -VIth centuries). The analysis is based on the early Christian literature which constitutes the basis for the reconstruction of the garment. It also indicates its origins . The form of the habit derives from widely used repertoire of secular clothing. The texts of first monastic rule of St. Pachomius and the ascetic writings included in the dissertation have been supplemented with iconographic material that illustrates the process of adaptation of secular forms of clothing to the requirements of monastic life as well as its transformation stages. The analysis embraces women’s and men’s clothing together with certain aspects of the symbolism of habit.
