ANCIENT GREEK CLOTHING

OUTLINE

• Greek clothing was typically home made.
• The same piece of homespun fabric that is used
• to make the clothing was also used to make blankets and more.
• From Greek vase paintings and sculptures, we can tell that
• the fabrics were intensely colored and decorated with intricate designs.

MATERIAL

• A tunic (peplos or chiton) and a cloak (himation) were the two basic garments
• for crafting the clothes for both women and men.
• The peplos were usually crafted with wool.
• The chiton was a much lighter material, usually linen.

DESIGN

• The clothing would strap together by a pin or a brooch.
• There were armholes on each side,
• and the open side of the garment was either left that way,
• or pinned or sewn to form a seam.

DESIGN (CONT.)

• Both the peplos and chiton were floor-length garments
• that were usually long enough to be pulled over the belt,
• creating a pouch known as a kolpos.

OTHER INFO

• The greeks were not particularly fond of shoes.
• On special occasions they would wear leather sandals.
• It was never uncommon for a Greek to go barefoot his/her entire life.
• While certainly not fancy, Greek clothing was very functional,
• and in fact, you can see ancient Greek influence in our clothes today.

WOMEN'S FASHION

• Cosmetics and make-up were important in Greece.
• White lead was used to whiten the skin, and was seen as a sign of beauty.
• Juice from Alkanet roots was used to give the cheeks a rosy color.
• Lipstick and perfume were also used a lot

TODAY

• While Greeks today mainly wear modern "global" style clothing,
• they still have the ancient garments as costumes for festivals and national holidays.
• Most all these costumes today are still made the same way as they once were.