It was generally made from single rectangle of woolen or linen fabric. Women often wore a strophion, the bra of the time, under their garments and around the mid-portion of their body. However, they later discovered that the artwork had probably been painted and that the garments the Greeks wore were actually quite colourfulColourful dyes were used to show wealth. However, linen was the most common fiber due to the hot climate. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... 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 (Pieces were generally interchangeable between men and women.While no clothes have survived from this period, descriptions exist in contemporary accounts and artistic depictions. Males had no problem with nudity, while women could only be naked in the public bath. It consisted of a large rectangular piece of material folded vertically and hung from the shoulders, with a broad overfold. Chiton, Greek Chitōn, garment worn by Greek men and women from the Archaic period (c. 750– c. 500 bc) through the Hellenistic period (323–30 bc).

At the waist chiton was kept in place by a belt.

An ankle-length version was worn by… Alternative Title: peplus Peplos, also spelled peplus, garment worn by Greek women during the early Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods (i.e., up to about 300 ce). The fabric was expertly draped around the body, and the cloth could be slightly transparent.

Chitons typically fell to the ankles of the wearer, but shorter chitons were sometimes worn during vigorous activities by athletes, warriors or slaves.

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Small gold ornaments would be sewn onto their clothing and would glitter as they moved.Ancient Greek clothing was made with silk, linen and wool. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica.Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Before shaped sleeve patterns existed the Greeks attached fibulae (ancient Greek safety pins) all the way up both arms to join the front and back top edges of the fabric. Unlike the Doric Chiton, the Ionic chiton doesn't have an apoptygma, and is a long enough rectangle of fabric that when folded in half can complete a wingspan. Expensive linen was sheer; nudity was not taboo in Ancient GreeceOnce made, the cloth was rarely cut. The width was that of the full open arm span. Charioteer wearing long chiton. Aeschylus was renowned for the brilliant mounting and costuming of his tragedies, and by the time of his death, in the mid-5th century Thus, clothes were quite simple, draped, loose-fitting and free flowing. People used to think the Greeks wore only white because the recovered statues from this time showed white drapery.

Common dye colours included green, brown, grey, and yellow, while purple was only worn by the wealthy, as purple dye is expensive to produceIn ancient Greece, textile manufacture was largely the responsibility of women.

Ancient Greek Chiton Chitons, again, were a very popular form of clothing which came into vogue in the early part of the 5th century especially after the Persian invasion.

The Doric chiton is "sleeveless", as sleeve technology had not really been created yet. On this Johnson, Marie, Ethel B. Abrahams, and Maria M. L. Evans. Last week in our Ancient Greece and Olympic Unit Study we made ancient Greek costumes.

In early times the Doric chiton was made from fabric which was the height of the wearer, plus 12 inches. Belts, sashes, or girdles were also worn at the waist sometimes replacing fasteners/buttons.

It was relatively inexpensive and, … Often excess fabric would be pulled over a girdle, or belt, which was fastened around the waist (see There are two types of chitons – Doric and Ionic, named for their similarities to the Doric and Ionic columns. The chiton was a simple tunic garment of lighter linen and usually pleated that was worn by both sexes and all ages.

Recovered sculptures from the period depicted white clothing, but research shows that such works were usually painted.

Much like that on the caryatid above, the Doric chiton has a fold over at the top or apoptygma, is attached with fibulae at the shoulders, and is belted at the waist.

Women and men typically wore slippers, sandals, soft shoes, or boots.Ornamentation in the form of jewellery, elaborate hairstyles and make-up was common for women. The most expensive textiles were finely woven linen and very soft wool. The fabric could be crinkled or pleated to give the garment more fullness, as the more fabric one wore, the wealthier they appearedAnother way of showing wealth was to use colourful dyes.