How Did the Ancient Romans Actually Dress?

Summary

This video debunks common myths about ancient Roman fashion, revealing that Romans didn't wear togas daily, but rather for special occasions as status symbols. The toga, along with stolas for women, was a symbol of wealth, while garments like tunics and activewear were more common. Wealthy Romans used expensive fabrics like silk, and they even washed clothes with urine. Footwear ranged from sandals to boots for soldiers. The Romans' approach to clothing, from undergarments to cold-weather outfits, shows a fascinating blend of practicality, luxury, and social status. Plus, who knew socks and sandals had ancient roots?

Takeaways

• 😀 Romans did wear togas, but they were not casual wear; they were formal garments for special occasions, mostly worn by wealthy men.
• 😀 Toga varieties included the white toga virilis, the bleached toga candida for politicians, mourning togas, and the rare purple toga picta for victorious generals.
• 😀 Togas were a status symbol, made from expensive wool fabric and required skilled wrapping, often with the help of slaves.
• 😀 Purple dye used in Roman fashion, especially for emperors, was extracted from sea snails (hexaplex trunculus) and was extremely costly to produce.
• 😀 The Phoenicians, who were skilled in dyeing textiles with purple, taught the Romans how to make Tyrian purple dye.
• 😀 Roman women wore a stola, a long sleeveless garment, typically worn by married women to signify their status.
• 😀 Roman women used jewelry and elaborate hairstyles to showcase their wealth, as their clothing was relatively simple.
• 😀 Unmarried women typically wore a simple tunic, and the tunic was also worn by lower-class Roman men, boys, and girls.
• 😀 Silk, originally from China, became a luxury fabric in Roman society, gradually spreading to all classes by the 4th century CE.
• 😀 Romans wore sports garments similar to modern activewear, including the strophium (a breast band) and the subligaculum (a loincloth).
• 😀 Roman shoes, often sandals, were worn indoors, while more enclosed leather shoes were worn outdoors; soldiers wore caligae, heavy open-toed boots.

Q & A

What were togas in ancient Rome, and who typically wore them?

Togas were formal garments worn by wealthy Roman men, often as a symbol of status. They were not casual wear but reserved for special occasions. The toga was also associated with political and public roles, and certain varieties were worn depending on the occasion, such as the toga virilis, toga candida, and toga picta.

Why are togas seen as a symbol of Roman society?

Togas became a symbol of Roman society due to their association with wealth and political status. They were made from expensive wool and required a complex wrapping process, making them a marker of sophistication and wealth.

What is the significance of the toga picta?

The toga picta was the rarest type of toga, dyed purple and embroidered with gold. It was worn by Roman generals during a triumph, signifying military success and glory.

How was purple dye made in ancient Rome?

Purple dye, known as Tyrian purple, was made by extracting liquid from the glands of sea snails called the hexaplex trunculus. The snails were harvested and crushed to produce the dye, which was highly prized and costly.

What were the stola and how did they differ from togas?

The stola was a long, sleeveless garment worn by Roman women, typically married women, as a symbol of their status. Unlike togas, which were complex and varied by social rank, the stola was simpler and not as dependent on social status.

What was the tunic and who wore it in ancient Rome?

The tunic was a simple garment worn by lower-class Romans, as well as young girls and boys. It was the most basic clothing item and was made from linen or wool.

What role did silk play in Roman fashion?

Silk was a luxury fabric introduced to Rome through trade with China, becoming a symbol of wealth among the elite. Initially worn by the nobility, by the 4th century CE, silk spread to all classes in Roman society.

What were the subligaculum and strophium used for?

The subligaculum was a type of loincloth worn by both Roman men and women, often during athletic activities. The strophium, or breast band, was worn by Roman women, also during sports, as part of their activewear.

How did Romans clean their clothes before soap was available?

Romans used urine to clean their clothes due to its ammonia content, which acted as a natural solvent. Fullonicae (laundries) would use urine to wash garments, sometimes stomping on the fabric to help clean it.

How did Romans adapt their clothing for colder climates?

Romans in colder regions, like Britain and Scandinavia, wore socks with sandals. Archaeological finds, such as a razor handle and a bronze statue, prove that socks and sandals were worn together, showing that the combination was practical and fashionable, even in colder weather.