Roman Clothing and Personal Appearance

by: Naomi Caldwell

Importance of Clothing

signified status

citizenplain toga

matronstola

magistrate

colored shoes, broad striped toga

emperorlaurel wreath, special robes

generaluniform and cloak

workmenhitched up tunics

Typical Roman Men’s Clothing-

tunics-togas-cloaks

Tunic Status-equestriansnarrow purple/crimson stripes

-men of senatorial classbroad stripes

The Toga-national garment of

Rome-only male citizens wore it-no pins, draped-rich had slaves to put it on-ceremonies, weddings, allpublic occasions-hood used for religious ceremonies

Augustus, the chief priest

-sinusoverfold in front of the body

-umbomaterial pulled up and draped over the sinus

-draped over left side of body, then over left shoulder, under right arm, and over left arm and shoulder-arm kept at side

Toga Status

adult male citizen

curule magistrate

mourner

candidate for political office

emperor

Roman Soldier Attire-uniforms not

standardized-variety of styles worn-tunic and cloak -red or off-white-heavy boots or sandals-breastplate-helmet-shield-javelin and gladius

Roman Emperor Attire

Emperor Augustus

Emperor Claudius

-laurel wreath-purple -only for emperors -expensive dye -from Lebanon-gold embroidery -foliage decor-elaborate fibulas -fastened cloaks

Typical Roman Women’s Clothing-tunic

-peplos -chiton-stola-palla -worn outside -cloak

-tended to be simple -hairstyles and jewelry varied their appearance

Tunicspeplos-partially sewn together-open sections folded down in front and back-fastened with two pins-beltchiton-not sewn together at top-pins fastened over shoulders and arms-belt

The Stola-worn by married women-sleeveless tunic with short straps-undyed wool-tunic underneath

UnderclothesMen-wrapped loincloth-worn if a laborer-worn if exercising

Women-wrapped loincloth-bikini-like undergarments-worn when excercising

Not much known about Roman underclothes

Material Used for Clothing-wool

-spun fleece into thread-wove cloth-use distaff and spindle-women’s job-eventually only lower class or slaves spun wool-linen, cotton, silk-only rich could afford it

distaff

spindle

Roman Shoes-leather-have no gender-sandals=indoors-shoes=outdoors -cover foot-many different styles-some mark status-red shoes=aristocrat

Upperclass removed shoes inside and slipped on sandals carried by

slaves

Roman Men’s Accessories

-belts-signet rings-key rings-etiquette=only wear one item of jewelry-bulla-worn by young boys-neck chain and pouch-contain protective amulets

Roman Women’s Accessories-fibula=pin for

clothes-bracelets-snake form

-hollow gold balls-invented by Romans

-cameo portraits-gold coins -pearls for rich -belts

Roman Men’s Hairstyles-Originally...-short hair-clean shaven-shaving cuts

-Emperor Nero-curls framing face-sideburns

-Emperor Hadrian-short beard

Men liked having longer hair better than short

Roman Women’s Hairstyles

-very elaborate-many different styles-popular style worn during reign of Flavian emperors-gives tall appearance

-hairpins-gold hairnets-slaves skilled in art of hair dressing

Roman Cosmetics-very expensive-pure white skin=leisure class-chalk power-white lead=poisonous

-soft leather patches-cover blemishes

-light pink rouge-kohl for long eyelashes-eyeshadow-white teeth=prized-false teeth-bone, ivory, paste

-perfume

Preserved Roman Clothes/Accessorie

s -not many clothes preserved-statues show clothes

-shoes

-jewelry

Roman Clothes vs. Ours Today

Similarities-tunics in style-sandals-designer brands show wealth

Differences-more revealing-pants-brighter-patterns-materials-color/stripes don’t show status

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