Greek Fashion

Although no clothes have survived from this period, descriptions exist from contemporary accounts and artistic depiction.

Greek fashion tended to be very simple. Men and women wore linen in the summer and wool in the winter. For most ancient Greeks clothing was to expensive to buy at the market and most families made their own clothes, which were simple tunics and warm cloaks, made of linen or wool. White clothing was not always the norm as is often depicted today, and clothing would often be dye in bright colors.

The essential clothing for men and women was an inner tunic (peplos or chiton) and outer cloak (himation). The peplos was usually a heavier woollen garment, while the chiton was a lighter linen. Clothes were fastened with brooches or pins, and a belt or girdle would secure the waist. Men would often don a short cloak. Footwear would be leather sandals, or boots.

See some of these styles in our Greek Clothing section at Time Travel Outfitters.