| Ancient Roman costumes worn by everyday folks in | | | | Italy.) |
| the Roman Empire were mainly loose articles of | | | | The toga was a large (around 20 feet) length of cloth |
| clothing that draped around the body and were | | | | that was wrapped around the body. Because it was |
| secured by fasteners. For both men and women, | | | | difficult to wear, it was usually only worn on official |
| undergarments were called tunics. Women wore | | | | occasions, much like tuxedos and evening gowns are |
| clothing called the stola over their tunic, a long garment | | | | worn today. In fact, slaves and servants from rich |
| reaching to the ankles consisting of two pieces of | | | | families specialized in toga dressing, making it as |
| fabric, one on the front and the other in the back, held | | | | fashionable and comfortable for their master as |
| together by pins at the shoulder, which were called | | | | possible! |
| fibulae. The Statue of Liberty is actually "wearing" a | | | | The way Romans wore their clothing indicated their |
| stola. | | | | status symbol. Higher class women would wear more |
| It also had two belts, one fitting just below the breasts, | | | | layers of clothing, indicating their wealth. The more |
| the other around the waist. This created a great many | | | | folds and layers, the better. The colors of Roman |
| luxurious folds, a fashionable trick at that time - the | | | | costumes also mattered. Magistrates wore clothing |
| more folds, the richer and more upper class she | | | | that had a purple border. Generals wore togas with |
| looked. If a woman went outside, she usually wore an | | | | golden hems to signify success in battle. Emperors |
| overcoat called a palla, which was basically a long | | | | wore purple robes, as this color was rare and |
| shawl. It usually draped over one shoulder and across | | | | expensive. |
| the entire body. Extra folds could be used to pull over | | | | Finally, basic sandals that lace up the leg were the |
| the head. | | | | standard type of footwear. Both men and women |
| Though the tunic was considered an undergarment, it | | | | wore these type of sandals, without socks, which |
| was often the only thing worn, or two tunics - an inner | | | | were only invented when the Romans conquered |
| one and a shorter outer one. Most common Romans | | | | more northern territories like Germany and Britain. |
| and slaves simply slipped on their tunic and went about | | | | Unlike the warm Mediterranean climate, sandals by |
| their days business. | | | | themselves would quickly freeze the skin! |
| While women wore a stola over their tunics, men | | | | To dress as a Roman for your Halloween costume, a |
| wore the toga. Actually, only male Roman citizens | | | | white or red toga is your best choice, as it is the most |
| could wear a toga in public - it was the stately, official | | | | distinctive. A stola isn't very well known, and few |
| and cumbersome dress, representative of the Roman | | | | would know the difference anyway! If you wish to |
| Republic and into the Empire (it was actually originally | | | | look like a high class Roman man, wear a luxurious |
| used by the Etruscans, the civilization that flourished | | | | toga lined with gold trim. As an aristocratic woman or |
| before Rome - the town of Rome overthrew the | | | | an empress, wear a red costume with a shawl. |
| Etruscan royalty and began their own conquest of | | | | |