E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Flowered Robes.
In ancient Greece to say “a woman wore flowered robes” was to imply that she was a fille publique. Solon made it a law that virtuous women should appear in simple and modest apparel, but that harlots should always dress in flashy or flowered robes.
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“As fugitive slaves are known by their stigmata, so flowered garments indicate one of the demi-monde [o&alpha:].”—Clemens of Alexandria.
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].”—Clemens of Alexandria.
