Ancient Greek and Roman costumes were draped in a traditional manner. Draped styles
of dress were characterized by the arrangement of large pieces of rectangular, oval or
crescent-shaped fabric which were folded, pleated, pinned or belted around the body in
different ways. This style of dressing utilized the entire fabric ensuring there was no
waste. In spite of influences from other countries, Greek costumes did not undergo any
major transformation.
Classical Greek costumes were based on two principles:
The first was that a unisex rectangular piece of cloth woven in varying sizes was the
basis of all draped styles, be it a tunic or a cloak.
The second was that this cloth was always draped around the body according to
certain norms, but not cut or shaped. There were vast possibilities of drapes that
could arise out of this rectangular fabric, as seen in the examples of architectural
draping at different temples.
Greek costume for men
The basic costume was the Chiton, a rectangle of cloth usually wool. It formed a tunic
fastened on the left shoulder leaving the right arm free or on both shoulders. This could
be worn with one or two belts at the waist. Without a belt this tunic hung loosely and
served as a night garment. When lengthened, it became a ceremonial or festive costume.
It could also be draped around the body like the Indian shawl.
Another male garment was the enveloping cloak called Himation made of a single large
(6′ x 9′) piece of cloth, swathed around the body without fixed fastenings. This cloak was
versatile in its draped style:
It could be worn alone, baring the right arm, shoulder and upper chest.
It could also wrap the wearer up to the chin covering the arms and the head.
It could be used as a blanket at night.
Greek costume for women
All Greek women wore the Peplos which was essentially a rectangular shawl with a
fibula or brooch/ decorative pin on the shoulder and was usually open on one side. This
open peplos was usually not belted at the waist. Greek women also wore the closed peplos
by seaming the two free edges of the fabric together.
of dress were characterized by the arrangement of large pieces of rectangular, oval or
crescent-shaped fabric which were folded, pleated, pinned or belted around the body in
different ways. This style of dressing utilized the entire fabric ensuring there was no
waste. In spite of influences from other countries, Greek costumes did not undergo any
major transformation.
Classical Greek costumes were based on two principles:
The first was that a unisex rectangular piece of cloth woven in varying sizes was the
basis of all draped styles, be it a tunic or a cloak.
The second was that this cloth was always draped around the body according to
certain norms, but not cut or shaped. There were vast possibilities of drapes that
could arise out of this rectangular fabric, as seen in the examples of architectural
draping at different temples.
Greek costume for men
The basic costume was the Chiton, a rectangle of cloth usually wool. It formed a tunic
fastened on the left shoulder leaving the right arm free or on both shoulders. This could
be worn with one or two belts at the waist. Without a belt this tunic hung loosely and
served as a night garment. When lengthened, it became a ceremonial or festive costume.
It could also be draped around the body like the Indian shawl.
Another male garment was the enveloping cloak called Himation made of a single large
(6′ x 9′) piece of cloth, swathed around the body without fixed fastenings. This cloak was
versatile in its draped style:
It could be worn alone, baring the right arm, shoulder and upper chest.
It could also wrap the wearer up to the chin covering the arms and the head.
It could be used as a blanket at night.
Greek costume for women
All Greek women wore the Peplos which was essentially a rectangular shawl with a
fibula or brooch/ decorative pin on the shoulder and was usually open on one side. This
open peplos was usually not belted at the waist. Greek women also wore the closed peplos
by seaming the two free edges of the fabric together.
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