Ancient Roman Clothing

Ancient Roman clothing was influenced by the Etruscans and Greeks but also had its own unique styles. The toga was a symbol of Roman citizenship and was worn by men for formal occasions. Women wore stoles and Pallas, which were long dresses with various layers and accessories. Clothing was also used to indicate social status and occupation, with senators and magistrates wearing distinctive garments.

Types of Ancient Roman Clothing

Toga

The toga was a key part of Ancient Roman attire. Made of a single piece of wool, it was a large cloth draped over the body, usually worn for formal occasions. Togas varied in color and style, signifying the wearer’s status or role. The Toga Praetexta, with a purple border, was for magistrates and freeborn youths. The dark Toga Pulla signified mourning, while the white Toga Candida was for those seeking public office.

Stola

The stola was an essential part of Roman women’s attire, worn over a tunic and indicative of a woman’s marital status. Made from linen or wool, it was a long, pleated dress with shoulder straps, often paired with a palla for modesty and protection. The style and length of a stola could reflect the wearer’s social status. Over time, the use of the stola declined as more unisex garments became popular.

Palla

The palla was an essential piece of clothing for Roman women, usually paired with the stola. It was a rectangular cloth, often made from wool or linen, that could be draped around the body or over the head. The style and color of the palla could reflect the wearer’s social status. Even as the use of the stola declined, the palla remained a common garment.”

Tunica

The tunica was a fundamental garment for both men and women in Ancient Rome. Made from wool or linen, it was a short-sleeved, close-fitting garment. The length varied based on gender and status: knee-length for men, ankle-length for women, and shorter for slaves and laborers. The tunica often served as a base for additional layers like the toga or stola.

Fibulae

Fibulae were important accessories in Ancient Roman clothing, used to secure togas and cloaks. Typically made of bronze, silver, or gold, they were often decorated with intricate designs or precious stones, reflecting the wearer’s status. Over time, fibulae evolved from simple fasteners to elaborate jewelry, symbolizing both personal adornment and status in Ancient Rome

Caligae

Caligae were sturdy sandals or boots worn by Roman soldiers and lower-class civilians. Made of leather, they had a thick, often hobnailed sole for durability, and the upper part consisted of leather straps. The design was practical for the demands of military and civilian life in the Mediterranean climate.

Tunic

The tunic was a basic garment in Ancient Rome, worn by all classes and genders. Made from linen or wool, it was a short-sleeved or sleeveless garment extending from the shoulders to between the hips and the ankles. It could be worn alone or under other garments like the toga or stola. The quality and decoration of a tunic often indicated the wearer’s wealth and status.

Lorica

The lorica, a term for Roman body armor, was a key part of Roman military attire. Varieties included the chainmail Lorica Hamata and the segmented Lorica Segmentata, made primarily of iron or bronze. They provided protection and flexibility on the battlefield, and more elaborate designs signified high rank. Thus, the lorica was functional, protective, and indicative of status within the Roman army.

Roman Jewelry

Roman jewelry was an integral part of Ancient Roman attire, made from materials like gold, silver, bronze, gemstones, and pearls. Types of jewelry included rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches, which signified social status and wealth. Many Romans used signet rings for sealing personal correspondence, and fibulae served practical purposes but were often ornately decorated. The style of Roman jewelry diversified over time, reflecting changing tastes and cultural influences.

Roman Hairstyles

Roman hairstyles were an important part of personal appearance and attire in Ancient Rome, reflecting social status, gender, and current trends. Women often wore complex hairstyles with braids, curls, and adornments, while men usually had short, groomed hair, with beards being fashionable in certain periods. The style of one’s hair was a key aspect of identity and was influenced by societal norms and fashion

Background

Romans paid special attention to their clothing and wealthy Romans followed the fashion trends of the time. The clothes were designed and marked in a manner that depicted the social status of the man wearing them. Common citizens wore unmarked clothes but those holding political or administrative positions had their clothes marked to show their standing in society. Male citizens of Rome usually wore a distinctive garment called the ‘toga’. Married Women wore a different garment called a ‘stole’, although they once wore a ‘toga’ as well before the practice was abandoned. Unmarried girls wore tunics only.

Fabrics and Materials

Romans used different types of fabrics and materials for manufacturing clothes. The most commonly used fabric was wool. Wool was considered comfortable and sturdy by Romans and it also provided them with much-needed respite against cold weather. Almost all Roman families spun their own woolen fabric in their houses under the supervision of the lady of the house. While ordinary women performed the duty of spinning themselves, rich women used their slaves for the job.

Romans also imported silk from China and cotton from India for manufacturing clothes. Silk was used by wealthy Romans and was expensive and rare. Romans also used leather for manufacturing footwear, coats, and other articles of clothing. They normally used pig and sheepskin leather for the purpose.

Ancient Roman Clothing Men

Roman men and women both wore loose garments called tunics. Male citizens also wore togas over tunics when they ventured out of their homes for business and socializing. Toga was a cloth, roughly six meters long, that was wrapped around the body over a tunic. Togas were made of wool and tunics of linen. Only Roman citizens were allowed to wear togas and after the 2nd century BC, Roman women were stopped from wearing togas.

Influential and politically elevated individuals had their togas and tunics marked accordingly. There were many types of togas worn by men of different age groups and social standing. Some togas were of bright color and were even embroidered but the basic design was the same. One such variety was the ‘toga pulla’ that Roman men wore when mourning the death of a dear one. It was completely black in color.

Ancient Roman Clothing Women

Roman women wore tunics and a special garment called ‘stola’. Roman women wore togas till the 2nd century BC, after which they were not allowed to wear them anymore. While at home both men and women wore tunics, married women donned a more formal stola when going out or receiving guests at home. Roman girls, however, wore tunics alone with varying lengths depending upon their usage. Stola was made of linen and was heavily pleated.

Many women wore a shawl called ‘palla’ over the stola to keep them warm. They also wore decorations like ‘brooches’ over their clothes and even used ornaments to go with their clothes for more formal occasions. Women belonging to wealthy families also wore garments made from silk and other expensive imported fabrics.

Ancient Roman Clothing Slaves

Unlike their masters, Roman slaves wore very modest clothing. Their clothing depended upon their role and the task they performed. Menial slaves were given basic clothing like loin cloth and cloaks to wear. However, educated and skilled slaves were provided with better clothing.

The best-clothed slaves were perhaps the house slaves, who benefitted from their proximity to their masters and were provided higher-quality fabric for their clothes. Roman slaves, regardless of their role and task, were not allowed to wear togas, a garment reserved for free-living Roman citizens only.

Ancient Roman Footwear

Romans mostly wore footwear made of leather. There were two types of footwear worn by Romans. Calceus, a sandal with an open toe and strapped to the foot, and Soleae, a full shoe with a closed toe were the two main varieties. The color and style also depicted the social standing of a person. Senators or patricians wore red colored shoes.