There were no great differences between the dress of the
two classical peoples. Both wore the long, loosely flowing robes that contrast
so sharply with our tight-fitting garments. Athenian male attire consisted
of but two articles, the tunic and the mantle. The tunic was an undergarment of
wool or linen, without sleeves. Over this was thrown a large woolen mantle, so
wrapped about the figure as to leave free only the right shoulder and head. In
the house a man wore only his tunic; out of doors and on the street he usually
wore the mantle over it. Very similar to the two main articles of Greek
clothing were the Roman tunica and toga. [10]
[10] The corresponding names of women's garments were stola
and pallet.
COVERING FOR THE HEAD AND FEET
On a journey or out in the country broad-brimmed hats were
used to shield the head from the sun. In rainy weather the mantle, pulled up
over the head, furnished protection. Sandals, merely flat soles of wood or
leather fastened by thongs, were worn indoors, but even these were laid aside
at a dinner party. Outside the house leather shoes of various shapes and colors
were used. They cannot have been very comfortable, since stockings were not
known in antiquity.
