Greek Clothing

 

Fabric and Cloth

• linen and wool

• thinly woven to size needed

• structured (Minoan and Mycenean) to basic (Dorian, Archaic) to drapey (high classical) to drapey with jewlery (Hellenistic)

 

Minoan and Mycenea 

• woman structured and covered

• men wore more loincloth

• women tightly fitted boddices (sometimes with breast exposed)

 

Archaic (c. 500 BCE)

• shift to a more human scale

• women's hair is braided

• men often bearded

• example: Kore statue

 

Types of Clothing

 

Chiton

• body wrapped with a girdle

• Doric - very simple with a pin at the shoulder (Fibula)

• Ionic  

  • same versions for men and women

  • fuller and pinned down the arms to make sleeves before girdled

• Kolpos - blouse portion of the chiton (still attached)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Himation

• body enveloping blanket for men and women

• draped and tucked it (occassionally tied)

• favored by politicians

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chlamys

• shorter cape worn over one shoulder

• worn primarily by travelers and soulders

• can be rolled up to form a pillow

 

 

Armor

• Curiass

  • breast plate 

  • could be heavier woven fabric or leather

  • metal came later

• greaves - leg guards/shin guards

• helmets - sometimes worn ontop of the head (as shown in below image)