Clothing in Ancient RomeClothing in Ancient Rome

Before we Before we begin…begin…

Think about all the different Think about all the different types of clothing we wear. types of clothing we wear.

1.1.Are there brands of clothing Are there brands of clothing that serve as a “status symbol”?that serve as a “status symbol”?

2.2.What types of clothing What types of clothing distinguish those in different distinguish those in different

occupations? occupations?

Think about all the different Think about all the different types of clothing we wear. types of clothing we wear.

1.1.Are there brands of clothing Are there brands of clothing that serve as a “status symbol”?that serve as a “status symbol”?

2.2.What types of clothing What types of clothing distinguish those in different distinguish those in different

occupations? occupations?

Class differencesClass differences

• Roman dress differed from one class to Roman dress differed from one class to another.another.• Plebians (common people) wore tunics made Plebians (common people) wore tunics made

from a coarse dark material.from a coarse dark material.• Patricians (upper class) wore tunics made of fine Patricians (upper class) wore tunics made of fine

wool or linen.wool or linen.• Magistrates wore the tunic augusticlaviaMagistrates wore the tunic augusticlavia• Senators wore the tunic laticlaviaSenators wore the tunic laticlavia• Military tunics were shorter than those worn by Military tunics were shorter than those worn by

civilianscivilians

Roman MenRoman MenWigs were worn by men as a Wigs were worn by men as a

disguise and to hide baldness. disguise and to hide baldness.

Long hair and beards went in Long hair and beards went in and out of style. and out of style.

Wigs were worn by men as a Wigs were worn by men as a disguise and to hide baldness. disguise and to hide baldness.

Long hair and beards went in Long hair and beards went in and out of style. and out of style.

Men’s JewelryMen’s Jewelry

• Rings were the only Rings were the only thing worn by Ancient thing worn by Ancient Roman men Roman men

• Many rings worn was Many rings worn was considered “tacky” considered “tacky”

FabricFabric

MaterialMaterial

• SilkSilk

• CottonCotton

• WoolWool

ColorColor

• RedRed

• PurplePurple

• Indigo Indigo

• Yellow Yellow • Worn by married Worn by married

women and Vestal women and Vestal Virgins Virgins

dyeingdyeing

LeatherLeatherWe all know that the Italians are We all know that the Italians are

known for their leather…known for their leather…

Leather provided warmth during Leather provided warmth during the cold seasonsthe cold seasons

Primary use was for belts and Primary use was for belts and sandalssandals

We all know that the Italians are We all know that the Italians are known for their leather…known for their leather…

Leather provided warmth during Leather provided warmth during the cold seasonsthe cold seasons

Primary use was for belts and Primary use was for belts and sandalssandals

Toga praetextaToga praetexta

• A toga with a purple A toga with a purple borderborder

• Worn by priests and Worn by priests and magistratesmagistrates

• Worn by Roman boys Worn by Roman boys until they were 16 until they were 16

Toga VirilisToga Virilis

• Off white toga worn by Off white toga worn by adult malesadult males

Toga picta Toga picta

• Purple with a gold Purple with a gold border, worn by border, worn by victorious generalsvictorious generals

Toga CandidaToga Candida

• Bright white toga worn Bright white toga worn by men running for by men running for officeoffice

• Hence our word for Hence our word for “candidate”“candidate”

TunicsTunicsA short-sleeved woolen shirt A short-sleeved woolen shirt

reaching to the knees. It was the reaching to the knees. It was the usual garment for indoor wear. usual garment for indoor wear.

A short-sleeved woolen shirt A short-sleeved woolen shirt reaching to the knees. It was the reaching to the knees. It was the usual garment for indoor wear. usual garment for indoor wear.

TunicsTunics

FootwearFootwear

• Footwear defined a person's position in society.Footwear defined a person's position in society.• Women wore closed shoes that were either white, Women wore closed shoes that were either white,

green or yellow. green or yellow. • Men wore sandals. Men wore sandals. • Patricians wore red sandals with an ornament at Patricians wore red sandals with an ornament at

the back. the back. • Senators wore brown footwear with black straps Senators wore brown footwear with black straps

which wound round the leg to mid-calf, where the which wound round the leg to mid-calf, where the straps were tied. straps were tied.

• Consuls wore white shoes, and soldiers, heavy Consuls wore white shoes, and soldiers, heavy boots.boots.

Footwear in Ancient Footwear in Ancient RomeRome

Roman Military Roman Military Most Roman armor probably Most Roman armor probably

didndidn’’t shine. They used a lot of t shine. They used a lot of chain mail, scale armor, and chain mail, scale armor, and

leather. leather.

Most Roman armor probably Most Roman armor probably didndidn’’t shine. They used a lot of t shine. They used a lot of

chain mail, scale armor, and chain mail, scale armor, and leather. leather.

Women’s ClothingWomen’s Clothing

• Over a tunic, women Over a tunic, women wore the wore the • StolaStola: a long, full : a long, full

garment extending to garment extending to the feet and fastened the feet and fastened by a girdle at the waste. by a girdle at the waste. It was worn indoors.It was worn indoors.

• PallaPalla: a woolen, shawl-: a woolen, shawl-like wrap for use like wrap for use outdoors. outdoors.

JewelryJewelryThe ancient Roman women loved ornate necklaces, pins, The ancient Roman women loved ornate necklaces, pins,

earrings, bracelets and friendship rings. Pearls were favorites. earrings, bracelets and friendship rings. Pearls were favorites. Women often dyed their hair, usually golden-red.Women often dyed their hair, usually golden-red.

Women’s HairWomen’s HairHairpieces made women’s hair thicker or longer often made Hairpieces made women’s hair thicker or longer often made

from the hair of slave girls.from the hair of slave girls.Sometimes they wore it down, curled in ringlets. Sometimes they wore it down, curled in ringlets.

MakeUpMakeUpYes, Ancient Roman women Yes, Ancient Roman women

used makeup too…used makeup too…Yes, Ancient Roman women Yes, Ancient Roman women

used makeup too…used makeup too…

Children’s ClothingChildren’s Clothing

Girls Girls

• Girls wore a simple Girls wore a simple tunic with a belt at the tunic with a belt at the waist.waist.

• When they went When they went outside, they wore a outside, they wore a second tunic that second tunic that reached their feet.reached their feet.

BoysBoys

• Boys wore a tunic down Boys wore a tunic down to their knees. to their knees.

• It was white, with a It was white, with a crimson border.crimson border.

The BullaThe Bulla

Children wore a special locket around their neck, given to them Children wore a special locket around their neck, given to them at birth, called a bulla. It contained an amulet as a protection at birth, called a bulla. It contained an amulet as a protection

against evil and was worn on a chain, cord, or strap.against evil and was worn on a chain, cord, or strap.

Washing the ClothesWashing the Clothes

• Well, if there weren’t Well, if there weren’t washers and dryers…washers and dryers…

• Clothing was washed by Clothing was washed by hand and dried on hand and dried on racks.racks.

Making Making ConnectionsConnections

The dress code of the day was The dress code of the day was complex and had to reflect one's complex and had to reflect one's position accurately in the social position accurately in the social order, one's gender, and one's order, one's gender, and one's

language.language.

Do you think these ideas about Do you think these ideas about clothing still exist today?clothing still exist today?

The dress code of the day was The dress code of the day was complex and had to reflect one's complex and had to reflect one's position accurately in the social position accurately in the social order, one's gender, and one's order, one's gender, and one's

language.language.

Do you think these ideas about Do you think these ideas about clothing still exist today?clothing still exist today?