ROMAN FASHION

Roman dress differed from one class to another.

Tunics

The tunic was worn by common people, herdsmen and slaves tunics was made from a coarse dark material. The tunic worn by patricians was made from white wool or linen. Magistrates wore the tunic augusticlavia, and senators wore a tunic with broad strips, tunica laticlavia. Military tunics were shorter than those worn by civilians.

The male tunic was generally till the knees, whereas women’s tunics were longer some reaching to the ground. Female tunics often had long sleeves.

There were formal differences in the tunics which denoted social rankings.

Toga

The toga was to be worn by only free roman citizens. it was a piece of cloth which was wrapped around the body. It was generally worn over a tunic. The differentiation between rich and poor was made through the quality of the material; the upper-classes wore thin, naturally colored, wool togas while the lower-classes wore coarse material or thin felt. The toga was worn often during state occasions. Consuls and senators wore a toga edged with purple. Some Roman senators wore white togas that were ten meters long. Some emperors' togas were made entirely from either purple or black cloth. Black togas, though, were usually only worn in times of mourning.

Women

The basic women garment was stola which was a long tunic touching the ground with small sleeves or no sleeves. It could be shorter in length as well and if it was shorter then it was worn over the interior tunic to show layers.  

Children

Girls wore a simple tunic with a belt at the waist. When they went outside, they wore a second tunic that reached their feet.

Boys wore a tunic down to their knees. It was white, with a crimson border. Once a boy became a man, he wore an all-white tunic.

Children wore a special locket around their neck, given to them at birth, called a bulla. It contained an amulet as a protection against evil and was worn on a chain, cord, or strap. Boys would wear it until reaching manhood and girls would wear it until they married.

Footwear

Footwear also defined a person's position in society. Women wore closed shoes that were either white, green or yellow. Men wore sandals. Patricians wore red sandals with an ornament at the back. Senators wore brown footwear with black straps which wound round the leg to mid-calf, where the straps were tied. Consuls wore white shoes, and soldiers, heavy boots.