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Clothing of the Romans: tunic and toga

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Clothing of the Romans: tunic and toga - The clothes of the Romans: history and status woven into the fabric

Togas, tunics and more: what the clothes of the Romans reveal about their everyday lives

Have you ever wondered what the Romans actually wore while strolling through their magnificent cities? Was it really just the famous toga, or is there a much deeper meaning behind the garments of antiquity? Roman clothing was far more than mere protection from the elements – it was a symbol of status, honor, and social belonging. A simple glance at a Roman’s outfit could tell you much about their rank, role in society, and origin.

Imagine walking across the Forum Romanum, seeing senators in splendid togas, soldiers in sturdy tunics, and ordinary citizens whose clothing is simple yet functional. The choice of materials, colors, and cuts was by no means random. A 2020 study showed that clothing in Roman society could consume up to 20% of annual income, especially among the elites.

Cicero once said: “Non vestimentum virum ornat, sed vir vestimentum” – “It is not the clothing that adorns the man, but the man that adorns the clothing.” But, if we’re being honest, the right garment could indeed decide one's reputation and influence.

In this article, we take you into the world of Roman fashion, its secrets, and the social context it expressed.

The tunic: the basic garment of the Romans

The tunic was the everyday garment of the Romans and was worn by almost all social classes. Whether you were a simple farmer, a soldier, or a nobleman – the tunic was your faithful companion. 

A soldier wore a shorter tunic for mobility in combat, while a senator often preferred a longer version with purple stripes (the so-called clavi) to underline his status. Interestingly, the length and cut of the tunic were strictly regulated by social norms – those who violated these rules risked social ostracism.

  • Materials: Tunics were mainly made of wool, but linen and even silk were used in later times.
  • Colors and decorations: The tunics were often plain in color, but higher classes also wore colored and richly decorated versions.
  • How to wear: While men usually wore the tunic down to the knee, for women it reached down to the ankles.
Römische Tunika

ancient quotes

  • „Die Kleidung eines Mannes verrät seine Seele.“ – Seneca, Epistulae morales ad Lucilium
  • „Nicht der Stoff, sondern das Herz macht den Mann.“ – Cicero, De Officiis
Römische Toga

The toga: the symbol of dignity and state power

The toga was perhaps the most well-known garment of the Romans and was worn exclusively by male citizens. Its draped form was complicated and could include up to six meters of fabric. Wearing the toga was an art in itself, and young Romans often had to learn it over years.

The toga symbolized status and dignity. Only Romans with full citizenship were allowed to wear a toga – it was a visible sign of their privileged position. Women did not wear a toga, but instead wore the so-called stola, a long, sleeveless garment that also emphasized their status in society.

  • Toga Virilis: The simple white toga for adult male citizens.
  • Toga Praetexta: A toga with a broad purple stripe for higher magistrates and young boys.
  • Toga Pura: A pure white toga for official occasions.

Cicero once said: “Cedant arma togae” – “Let arms yield to the toga”, emphasizing the high importance of diplomacy and civil power.

Fun fact

Romans didn’t wear trousers!
The Romans considered trousers (Latin "bracae") to be barbaric and uncivilized, as they were worn by northern tribes such as the Germans and Gauls. Instead, they preferred their tunics and togas, even though these offered little protection in cold weather. It was only later in Roman history, when soldiers fought in colder regions, that trousers gradually became accepted. (www.nationalgeographic.com)

The clothes of Roman women

Women in Rome had their own special wardrobe that emphasized their femininity and status in society.

  • Stola: A type of long dress worn over the tunic, representing the main clothing of married Roman women.
  • Palla: A large cloak thrown over the stola, serving both as protection against the elements and as a fashionable accessory.
  • Women of the nobility: Wealthy women often wore richly decorated and colorful stolas and pallas made from expensive materials like silk and embroidered linen.
Römische Frauenkleidung

The clothing of the Romans was much more than a mere fashion statement – it was a reflection of the social, political, and economic structures of the Roman Empire. Whether you wore a simple tunic or a magnificent toga, your clothing said everything about your place in society. Not only the cut and material, but also the colors and accessories played a decisive role.

Children's Clothing

Roman children predominantly wore simple tunics until they reached a certain age and received special clothing depending on their gender and social status.

  • Boys: Boys wore the  Toga Praetexta until puberty, then they switched to the Toga Virilis.
  • Girls: Girls wore long tunics, similar to the stolas of their mothers.

Conclusion

The clothing of the Romans was far more than a mere fashion statement – it was a reflection of the social, political, and economic structures of the Roman Empire. Whether you wore a simple tunic or a magnificent toga, your clothing said everything about your place in society. It was not only the cut and material that played a crucial role, but also the colors and accessories.

For today's history enthusiasts, teachers, and students, the study of Roman clothing offers a fascinating opportunity to better understand the complex society of antiquity. Each piece of clothing tells a story – a story of power, honor, tradition, and innovation.

And the next time you look at a Roman statue, you might see it with different eyes, knowing that their clothing was more than just an aesthetic choice.

FAQ´s

Die Tunika war das Alltagskleidungsstück, das sowohl von Männern als auch Frauen getragen wurde. Die Toga hingegen war ein spezielles Gewand, das nur römische Bürger trugen und das den sozialen Status kennzeichnete. Die Toga war oft prunkvoller und politisch bedeutender.

Nein, die Toga war traditionell den römischen Männern vorbehalten, besonders den Bürgern. Frauen trugen in der Regel eine Stola und eine Palla, die ihre Rolle in der Gesellschaft symbolisierten.

Purpur war extrem kostspielig und daher ein Statussymbol. Nur die reichsten Römer konnten es sich leisten, Kleidung in dieser Farbe zu tragen, da die Herstellung extrem aufwendig war.

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Andreas Hopson - Der Römer Shop

About the Author: Andreas Hopson

From the bottom of my heart, I live and love the ancient world and am excited to share that with you.

Field of Expertise: Craft techniques of ancient mosaicists

DArV - German Archaeologists' Association e.V., | Western and Southern German Association for Ancient Studies e.V., | Phoenix Pompeii e.V. in collaboration with the Soprintendenza Naples, Italy

Sources (Image/Text): commons.m.wikimedia.org - www.perseus.tufts.edu  - www.gutenberg.org

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