John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 22:5

"A woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman`s garment; for whosoever doeth these things is an abomination unto Jehovah thy God." — Deuteronomy 22:5 (ASV)

This decree also commends modesty in general. In it, God anticipates the danger, so that women do not harden themselves into forgetfulness of modesty, or men degenerate into effeminacy unworthy of their nature.

Garments are not in themselves of such great importance. However, because it is disgraceful for men to become effeminate, and also for women to affect manliness in their dress and gestures, propriety and modesty are prescribed, not only for decency's sake, but also so that one kind of liberty does not eventually lead to something worse. The words of the pagan poet are very true:⁹⁷

“What shame can she, who wears a helmet, show,
Her sex deserting?”

Therefore, decency in the style of clothing is an excellent means of preserving modesty.

⁹⁷ The quotation is from Juvenal, Sat. 6:252: