The Status and Clothing of Ancient Rome

Mary Briggs
There were a few different types of material they used when making the clothing of ancient Rome. Most of the time, they used wool, linen and silk. Although, the most popular clothing of ancient Rome worn was the toga. The most important top priority to wear and showed a symbol of Roman culture and pride. Almost every citizen in Rome would wear a different type of toga, no matter how poor or rich they were. There were a few people in Rome who were not supposed to wear togas no matter what. Those people were people who have been banished, foreigners residing in the city, and slaves could not wear togas.

The toga, one part of the clothing of ancient Rome, was made out of wool most of the time. Most of the time, it was as long as the person's body. The right arm of the person was always uncovered, and the left arm was covered up by the cloth of the toga. Really, the only thing different about the way togas looked were the color of it that the person wore.

The clothing of ancient Rome was very important in showing who was in what position socially. If a person was rich, the boys wore white togas as soon as they would turn 14 years old. Boys and If the boy was younger than 14, he would wear a white toga that had purple on the edges. Roman senators would wear togas lined in purple too. If there was a man who was mourning, he would wear a toga that was either brown or gray in color. And lastly, one of the most important people who wore the clothing of ancient Rome was the emperor. He wore a toga that was purple in color and was full of gold embroidery.

One the Romans dominated north lands, another way they used the clothing of ancient Rome was that they started wearing things to cover their legs. They noticed that the Barbarians were wearing leggings, and they loved it, so they decided to do it also. But, even though they liked it, most of the time the only ones who wore the leg coverings were people who were field workers, or they were pushed out by others that had a higher status than them.

Status was a huge thing in Rome when it came to the clothing in Ancient Rome, and the higher up you were is status, the better your toga or other clothing looked.

Published by Mary Briggs

My name is Mary Briggs. I live in west central Illinois. I have 2 children and am expecting a 3rd in August. I am engaged to be married. I am 26 years old.  View profile

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