Ancient Greek Fashion: More Than Just Fabric (2024)

FAQs

What was fashion like in Ancient Greece? ›

Clothing for both women and men consisted of two main garments—a tunic (either a peplos or chiton) and a cloak (himation). The peplos was simply a large rectangle of heavy fabric, usually wool, folded over along the upper edge so that the overfold (apoptygma) would reach to the waist.

Ancient Greeks typically made clothing from a variety of materials, including wool, linen, and silk. In addition to these basic materials, the ancient Greeks also used a variety of decorative techniques to embellish their clothing. These included embroidery, beadwork, and the use of gold and silver thread.

Alternatively, the chiton could be left sleeveless and, like the peplos, be pinned just over the shoulders. Unlike the heavy wool peplos, however, the chiton was made of a lighter material, such as linen or silk, and it had no distinctive overfall element at the top.

Clothes were quite simple, draped, loose-fitting and free-flowing. Customarily, clothing was homemade and cut to various lengths of rectangular linen or wool fabric with minimal cutting or sewing, and secured with ornamental clasps or pins, and a belt, or girdle (ζώνη: zōnē).

The art of ancient Greece is usually divided stylistically into four periods: the Geometric, Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic. The Geometric age is usually dated from about 1000 BC, although in reality little is known about art in Greece during the preceding 200 years, traditionally known as the Greek Dark Ages.

Most Ancient Greeks wore a chiton, which was a long T-shirt made from one large piece of cotton. The poor slaves, however, had to make do with a loincloth (a small strip of cloth wrapped around the waist)!

Fabrics The two most popular materials for clothing were wool and linen. Wool (animal based) was made from the fleeces of local sheep. Linen from flax (plant based), came from Egypt.

Nudity in Greek art was used symbolically to display heroes from myths, gods, warriors, or war heroes. “The ancient Greeks were selling a social agenda or normative culture by using nudity,” said Kenneth Lapatin, curator of antiquities at the Getty Villa Museum.

Garments, Brooches, & Footwear. Garments were made of linen or wool. Linen was more expensive and only available to the upper class while spinning wool was widely practiced by women in ancient Greece and was used to make clothes for all classes and every age group.

The virgin goddess Athena is always depicted clad in a peplos.

What is bakcheia? ›

Bacchanalia were held in secret, out in the countryside under the cover of darkness, and would often last until the sun came up. Their goal was to induce bakcheia, a sort of madness meant to free you from your normal self through ecstasy and wine.

peplos, garment worn by Greek women during the early Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods (i.e., up to about 300 ce). It consisted of a large rectangular piece of material folded vertically and hung from the shoulders, with a broad overfold.

Interesting Facts About Clothing in Ancient Greece

Women's clothing always went down to the ankles as they were supposed to remain covered in public. They sometimes wore straw hats or veils (the women) to protect their heads from the sun. Cloth was seldom cut or sewn together to make clothes.

Clothes however were washed using water only. Nevertheless, this shows that ancient Greeks too had the knowledge of soap and were aware of the cleaning properties of natural oils, salts and ashes.

Some garments were worn by both men and women in ancient Greece, although different genders often wore them differently. And for the record, no one in Greek culture wore trousers. Those were dismissed as the dress of non-Greek “barbarians.”

Opt for Mediterranean dresses in soft hues to complement the sun-drenched surroundings, paired with sandals crafted from real Greek apparel for a touch of authenticity. Embrace the Athens fashion scene by accessorizing with statement jewelry inspired by ancient motifs, adding a contemporary twist to your ensemble.

Clothing in ancient Greece primarily consisted of the chiton, peplos, himation, and chlamys. While no clothes have survived from this period, descriptions exist in contemporary accounts and artistic depictions. Clothes were mainly homemade, and often served many purposes (such as bedding).

Clothes were mainly homemade, and often served many purposes (such as bedding). Despite popular imagination and media depictions of all-white clothing, elaborate design and bright colors were favored. Ancient Greek clothing consisted of lengths of linen or wool fabric, which generally was rectangular.

In ancient Greece the rules of beauty were all important. Things were good for men who were buff and glossy. And for women, fuller-figured redheads were in favour - but they had to contend with an ominous undercurrent, historian Bettany Hughes explains.