"Handmaid's" Thesis

Thesis Question: Why is it all of the Handmaids have to wear a floor length, red dress that covers every inch of them, along with white “wings” or white hats?

In “The Handmaid’s Tale” the government seems like a tyranny and to stop the men from being tempted by the women they are forced to wear concealing clothing.
This is definitely an arguable statement because there are two other reasons that came to mind when I was answering this question. It is specific because it states clearly one narrowed opinion that I have, instead of broadening it to “the government says so…” The part about being in a tyrannical rule comes from this passage, “Government issue? Think of it as being in the army, said Aunt Lydia… Like other things now, thought must be rationed… Thinking can hurt your chances…” (8). This passage suggests that there is little to no choice left to the individual anymore. The other part of the thesis is supported by the last paragraph on page22, “As we walk away I know they’re watching, these two men who aren’t yet allowed to touch women. They touch with their eyes instead… I hope they get hard at the sight of us… they have no outlets now except themselves… There are no more magazines, no more films, no more substitutes…”