Covering and Honor
The parasha commands that the garments of Aharon and his sons be made “for honor and glory.” Only at the end are the linen pants mentioned, whose purpose is to cover the flesh that must remain hidden.
The Torah separates these two functions. The pants address what must be concealed. The other garments are described as kavod and tiferet — honor and glory.
Gan Eden: Two Stages of Clothing
After the sin, Adam and Chava became aware of their nakedness and sewed fig leaves to cover themselves. These garments addressed their shame.
Yet when they heard Hashem in the Garden, they hid and said they were afraid because they were unclothed. Although they were covered, they understood that this was not sufficient to stand before Hashem.
Hashem then made garments of skin for them and clothed them.
The Chesed of Hashem
The Torah teaches that it begins with an act of chesed: Hashem clothed those who were unclothed. But the clothing He made was not simply to prevent exposure, and not even merely to remove shame. The fig leaves had already addressed that need.
The garments made by Hashem enabled Adam and Chava to encounter Him, to be present when He moved in the Garden.
This is the greater chesed: not only taking care of a person’s basic need, but elevating him so that he can stand in the presence of Hakadosh Baruch Hu — even after the sin.
The Bigdei Kehunah reflect this same idea. Beyond covering what must remain hidden, they confer honor and glory, preparing the Kohen to serve before Hashem.