A Detailed Overview Of Women’s Wardrobe In Ancient Rome
The wardrobe of ancients Romans was highly diversified and it was worn for both practical as well as ritualistic purposes. Women’s wardrobe, just like men had a great range of dresses and head gears to adorn themselves for special occasions. It is interesting to note that although hair and clothing styles varied rapidly, garments remain quite basic and insufficiently modified from the earlier days of Rome. Despite the vast number of styles and designs, fashion was generally classified in terms of centuries, which was defined by the political and militaristic movements of the time.
The first century B.C. is the starting point when the Roman wardrobe began to incorporate traditional elements of Greek style. Greek-style pleated tunic dresses or stolas were the accepted female fashion. The standard draped styles used by both men and women were generically known as trabea. The core of a woman’s wardrobe revolved around comfortably gathered garments of single pieces, known as vittae or vittus, which could be simply worn over whatever the women had on underneath.
Tunics were the basic garment worn by women from the upper classes of Roman society. These were made from fine wool, linen or silk and were usually floor-length with sleeves. Generally speaking, a tunic would be worn belted at the waist and had a slightly lower neckline than the male version. Tunics were also widely used for formal occasions such as special family celebrations and religious festivals. Headgear was of great significance in Ancient Rome. Just like men, women too wore various kinds of headgear to distinguished from others according to social status. The most popular one was the fortunium, which was generally worn by women of the senatorial class. It was constructed out of the finest wool or silk and came in colors such as white, red and purple.
A Roman woman’s wardrobe was never complete without accessories. Roman women had access to a range of jewelry such as necklaces, bracelets, arm bands, anklets and even toe rings. Earrings made of gold in shapes such as leaves and flowers were considered fashionable and most women would have owned several different pairs. Women of the upper classes also wore brooches made of precious metals, often to fasten a cape around their shoulders for added protection from the cold.
The wardrobe of a Roman woman of wealthy status was hardly complete without a selection of shoes. Most women owned at least two pairs of sandals; one for everyday use and the other for special occasions. The wealthiest of families may have owned a pair of leather boots. Sandals were designed from leather, with straps tied around the ankles. Shoes of status also had a fancy art form which was decorated with etched patterns and bright colors.
An Analysis Of Clothing Quality Used By Rich Roman Women
Roman women of the higher echelons of society would have worn only the finest clothing made from the best quality materials. The fabric used to make their clothing was of superior quality and very expensive in those days. It could be easily recognized from its weight, texture and beading detail. These were usually made from cotton, linen and silk, with a higher percentage of linen being used for their under-garments. The painting of tunics, stolas, and scarves were usually done with bright colors in intricate designs. Artisans carefully select the right dyes and gold in order to craft exquisite garments and jewelry.
The clothing worn by poor families was much simpler and less elaborate than that of the wealthy. They would typically have one or two short wool tunics or dalmaticas that they wore in layers to guard against the cold. They would also have their own scarves and shawls. As expected, the fabrics used by the poorer section of society would be much coarser, with many women struggling to cover the cost of fabric to make clothing. As far as footwear was concerned, poor women wore the same basic styles as their wealthier counterparts, albeit made from cheaper and harsher fabrics.
The style of dress for the Roman matron was usually uncomplicated and conservative. Women were expected to dress modestly in accordance to the social mores of the day. They were discouraged from wearing any type of jewelry or clothing that would draw attention to them. Women of the wealthy class were the only ones who had the freedom to dress extravagantly in bright colors; this was considered a privilege of status and wealth.
Social Significance Of Women Adorning A Special Outfit
Rich or poor, women of ancient Rome were expected to dress according to the socially acceptable norms. No one was allowed to outshine another. Such was the social influence and importance of clothing. When a woman was presented with an opportunity to flaunt her wealth and status by adorning a special outfit, it was an opportunity she often relished. The fabrics used by the wealthy families were finer, more luxurious and could be easily distinguished from the coarser fabrics used by the poorer classes.
As the Roman Empire matured, their clothing began to become more ornate. Accessories such as headdresses, brooches and necklaces were worn as representations of wealth and power and as a means of expressing individuality. Woman from the higher status of society wore extravagant jewelry, made from gold and precious stones, and sometimes even diamonds. This jewelry could be worn as a sign of good luck or simply to demonstrate one’s place in society.
The extensive wardrobe of a Roman woman was not only a matter of comfort and protection, but an indication of her social standing. Each social class had its own specific set of clothing and accessories that everyone was expected to adhere to. Women from the upper classes could afford more expensive, luxurious fabrics and accessories. In contrast, women from the lower classes had to make do with what they had and were usually unable to indulge in luxury items.
How Clothing Was A Reflection Of Roman Society As A Whole
Clothing was an important part of Ancient Roman society and reflected different aspects of the people’s culture. The range of materials and styles used to make clothing showed how wealthy Rome had become over time. The quality of fabrics used to make garments was determined by one’s financial means. Wealthy classes tended to have finer wool and silk clothes to show off their social standing and demonstrate their access to luxury items. However, the lower classes had to make do with cheaper, coarser fabrics which were often derived from animal hides.
In addition, the clothing worn by ancient Romans was also used to have representation of the person’s status and to express their social importance. For instance, the senatorial class had their own specific attire which they had to always wear when attending official functions or religious ceremonies. Their clothing served as a reminder of their exalted position in society and was seen by many Romans as a symbol of power.
The clothing of ancient Roman women was also heavily influenced by gender roles and what was socially accepted. Women were expected to be dressed modestly and forbid from wearing clothes that were too revealing. Furthermore, women of higher classes were expected to wear accessories and adorn themselves with luxurious jewelry to demonstrate their social and financial status. On the other hand, women from the lower classes could only afford basic garments, and were highly unlikely to own any luxurious jewelry.
Women’s Wardrobe As A Symbol Of Wealth And Status
The wardrobe of a Roman woman was directly associated with her social status. Women of the upper classes wore much finer clothing and jewelry, while those of the lower classes had no access to luxurious fabrics or intricate designs. This meant that the clothing of wealthy women served as a symbol of their power and wealth, while the more basic costumes of lower class women were more indicative of their status in society.
Women were also affected by the changing fashion trend that resembled the ever-evolving social and cultural norms of Ancient Rome. From stolas to cloaks, and from tunics to scarves, women’s wardrobe varied drastically over time. Generally, women of the lower classes did not have access to the same fashion trends as their wealthier counterparts and had to sticks to plain, simple clothing.
The wardrobe of a Roman woman was also a reflection of her religious and cultural limitations. In general, Roman women were expected to dress modestly, according to the social mores of the time. They could not show too much skin and had to cover their hair in public. Furthermore, women of the imperial family had to adorn themselves in certain ways in order to show respect towards their religious figures.
Symbolism Of Specific Clothing Among Roman Women
A lot of Roman women’s clothing and jewelry were saturated in symbolism and reflected various aspects of their religion and culture. Jewelry such as the bulla, a locket hung from a woman’s neck to protect her from evil, was worn to ward off herbal and spiritual harm. Necklaces and arm bracelets were also worn as a way of symbolizing a commitment to prayer and devotion to the gods.
In addition, Roman women were expected to have a certain level of knowledge related to their clothing and the styling of it. They were aware of the language of clothing and how they could use it to convey subtle messages. For example, the arrangement of their garments was carefully planned out in order to signify the message they wanted to send out.
The clothing worn by Roman women was not only a matter of style and comfort, but also a way of symbolizing one’s religious and social beliefs. Women of higher classes had access to luxurious fabrics and jewelry, while those of the lower classes had to make do with what they had. Whatever the case, clothing was an important aspect of Ancient Roman women’s lives; one that helped them express their individual personalities in a world that was heavily constrained by social mores.
