Ancient Greece was a civilization that flourished from the 8th century BCE until its annexation by the Romans in 146 BCE. During this time, clothing played an important role in Greek society and culture. In this article, we will take a closer look at what the clothes were like in Ancient Greece.
Men’s Clothing
Tunic: The most common garment worn by men in Ancient Greece was the tunic. A tunic was a simple piece of cloth that hung from the shoulders to just above or below the knees. It was made of wool or linen and was often dyed in bright colors such as red, purple, or blue.
Himation: Another garment worn by men was the himation, which was essentially a large rectangle of cloth draped over the body. It could be worn alone or over a tunic and was used for warmth or as a form of modesty.
Chiton: The chiton was another type of tunic that was worn by both men and women. It had sleeves and could be made with different types of fabric depending on the occasion.
Women’s Clothing
Peplos: Women in Ancient Greece typically wore a garment called a peplos. This garment consisted of one large rectangular piece of fabric that was folded over at the top to create a sleeve-like opening for the arms. The peplos was held up by fastening it at both shoulders with fibulae (ancient brooches) and then belted at the waist.
Chiton: Women also wore chitons, which were similar to those worn by men but were often made with finer fabrics such as silk or cotton.
Fabrics
The most common fabrics used for clothing in Ancient Greece were wool and linen. These materials were readily available and could be easily dyed in a variety of colors. Silk was also used but was considered a luxury item.
Colors
Color played an important role in Ancient Greek clothing. Bright colors such as red, purple, and blue were popular and often symbolized wealth and status. White was also commonly worn, especially for ceremonial occasions.
Footwear
The ancient Greeks typically wore sandals made of leather or woven materials. These sandals could be simple or elaborate depending on the occasion and the wearer’s social status.
Conclusion
In conclusion, clothing in Ancient Greece was simple yet elegant. Men typically wore tunics while women wore peplos or chitons.
The fabrics used were primarily wool and linen, with silk reserved for the wealthy. Bright colors were popular and often symbolized wealth and status. Footwear consisted of sandals made of leather or woven materials.