Roman Fashion in the Republic By: Miriam Tew Glimpses at any of the latest runways show haute couture with a touch of Roman influence. The trendy gladiator sandals are proof. For both men and women in Rome, clothing represented status, rank, and authority. ("Roman Clothing, Part I") Togas were used for identification purposes with specific colors, stripes, and decorations. Togas were usually made of fine linen, silk, and intricately folded fabrics. During the Roman Republic, most Roman fashions were borrowed from the Greeks and men and women both had similar styles.
Men generally only had two types of garments, the tunic and toga. The tunic was a short woolen garment with short or long sleeves. Only plebeians or slaves usually wore these. However, if worn by patricians it would be in the comfort of their own homes. The toga is the more commonly known article of clothing. It was a garment made with up to nine yards of fabric and complexly folded in a way which it immobilized the left arm. Even though very impractical and uncomfortable, it still was a necessary staple for male wardrobes. The ancient Roman toga would be equivalent to the modern day blue jean, there is no one style, fit, or type. The five different types of togas included, the toga virilis, praetexta, pulla, candida, and picta. These ranged from plain, simple, off-white togas to rich purple ones with gold fringe. ("Ancient Roman Clothing") Undergarments were loincloths and shoes were normally leather sandals. The sandals could either be a shoe with straps around the foot or a shoe fully enclosing the foot. The leather could be dyed different colors to symbolize rank. Women and men had the same footwear, but female clothing styles allowed more movement and were much more attractive. Women had more freedom to express themselves through clothing. The most common garment was a dress similar to the Greek chiton. It was a sleeved garment made of two wide pieces of cloth, sewn together near the top. The dress was then pulled over the head and held together with pins or buttons. This was a very modest article of clothing and regularly worn by unmarried women. Married women had to wear a dress comparable to the toga, the stola. This design was borrowed from the Greek dress called a peplos. It was an ankle-length sleeveless dress, gathered up at the shoulders. (Cosgrave, 72) The amounts of jewelry, perfume, and makeup were dictated by the current styles. However, the Romans were very ostentatious people, so accessories were rarely worn at a minimal. Popular women’s hairstyles included up-dos with braids, curls, and ribbons. Fashion was a very important part of Roman life as it was a way for both men and women to express status. Roman clothing was intriguing as well as beautiful. Present day historians still do not entirely understand how the Romans folded their togas and stolas.Future cultures were greatly influenced by the statements of Roman fashion. ("Women's Fashion in Ancient Rome")
By: Miriam Tew
Glimpses at any of the latest runways show haute couture with a touch of Roman influence. The trendy gladiator sandals are proof. For both men and women in Rome, clothing represented status, rank, and authority. ("Roman Clothing, Part I") Togas were used for identification purposes with specific colors, stripes, and decorations. Togas were usually made of fine linen, silk, and intricately folded fabrics. During the Roman Republic, most Roman fashions were borrowed from the Greeks and men and women both had similar styles.
Men generally only had two types of garments, the tunic and toga. The tunic was a short woolen garment with short or long sleeves. Only plebeians or slaves usually wore these. However, if worn by patricians it would be in the comfort of their own homes. The toga is the more commonly known article of clothing. It was a garment made with up to nine yards of fabric and complexly folded in a way which it immobilized the left arm. Even though very impractical and uncomfortable, it still was a necessary staple for male wardrobes. The ancient Roman toga would be equivalent to the modern day blue jean, there is no one style, fit, or type. The five different types of togas included, the toga virilis, praetexta, pulla, candida, and picta. These ranged from plain, simple, off-white togas to rich purple ones with gold fringe. ("Ancient Roman Clothing") Undergarments were loincloths and shoes were normally leather sandals. The sandals could either be a shoe with straps around the foot or a shoe fully enclosing the foot. The leather could be dyed different colors to symbolize rank. Women and men had the same footwear, but female clothing styles allowed more movement and were much more attractive.
Women had more freedom to express themselves through clothing. The most common garment was a dress similar to the Greek chiton. It was a sleeved garment made of two wide pieces of cloth, sewn together near the top. The dress was then pulled over the head and held together with pins or buttons. This was a very modest article of clothing and regularly worn by unmarried women. Married women had to wear a dress comparable to the toga, the stola. This design was borrowed from the Greek dress called a peplos. It was an ankle-length sleeveless dress, gathered up at the shoulders. (Cosgrave, 72) The amounts of jewelry, perfume, and makeup were dictated by the current styles. However, the Romans were very ostentatious people, so accessories were rarely worn at a minimal. Popular women’s hairstyles included up-dos with braids, curls, and ribbons.
Fashion was a very important part of Roman life as it was a way for both men and women to express status. Roman clothing was intriguing as well as beautiful. Present day historians still do not entirely understand how the Romans folded their togas and stolas. Future cultures were greatly influenced by the statements of Roman fashion. ("Women's Fashion in Ancient Rome")
Word count: 492
Citation List
Cosgrave, Bronwyn. The Complete History of Costume and Fashion. New York: Checkmark Books, 2001.
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McManus , Barbara. "Roman Clothing, Part I ." Roman Clothing. August, 2003. 2 Dec 2008 <http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/clothing.html>.
R.W. , "Women's Fashion in Ancient Rome." The Romans . March 3, 2000. 2 Dec 2008 <http://www.richeast.org/htwm/Greeks/Romans/Wright/clothing.html>.
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Maginnis, Tara. "Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome". The History of Fashion and Dress. 3 Dec 2008 <http://www.costumes.org/history/roman/1882ancientrome.jpg>.