By
eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You’ll Need:
Step1
Start with a basic draped gown. One Roman style consisted of a huge rectangle that enveloped the body and was held together at each shoulder with a brooch, then tied with a ribbon or sash around the waist.
Step2
Use another large rectangle of fabric as a shawl or wrap over the gown.
Step3
Don a pair of very dangly earrings. Slightly irregular, antique-looking beads help with the effect.
Step4
Find rings - all metal or simple with large stones - and wear them on many fingers. The wealthy ancient Romans competed with each other to see who could display the most extravagant fashions and jewels.
Step5
Put on delicate sandals with thin soles.
Step6
If your hair is long, put it up loosely, leaving tendrils around the face and neck. Roman ladies often had elaborate braids and curls; if you have a talented hairdressing friend, ask him or her to create a complicated hairdo for you.
Step7
If your hair is short, consider using a gold or silver braid to wind through it or wrap as a headband.
Step8
Don't forget makeup ' Roman ladies certainly used it (although they didn't have our modern-day array of brands and fancy packaging).
Comments
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 You can dress like a Roman lady on a budget. Poke around thrift stores. I found an old linen tablecloth that was exactly the right size (and already hemmed!). Poke around craft stores. You can buy all kinds of cords and trims that make great belts, plus cool beads that you can use to make your own jewelry. I improvised brooches with some lovely beads and a couple of safety pins--for about $1.50.
Oh, and the ancients didn't wear white all the time. Get a box of fabric dye in some pretty, feminine color and make your gown really beautiful!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Take gold ribbon and wrap it around your big toe and continue up your foot until you reach your ankle and then tie it off. (This is what I am doing this Halloween.)
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 I used two sheer white curtains: fold them in half, then pin them at the shoulders and the waist. I wrapped thin gold ribbon around the waist, and it looked very good!
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 Simple wreaths around the head also are traditional of the time. If going as a young boy, wear a gold pendant around your neck as they did until they were grown men.
Anonymous said
on 11/22/2005 If you have long hair, but not much expertise, I recommend curling it into lots of small ringlets, and pinning the front back. Then use several strands of gold cord to wrap around it, leaving the back slightly loose.