How to Make a Greek Toga Costume

Classic Greek clothing was quite simple.

The clothing of the ancient Greeks consisted mainly of arranged pieces of cloth, pinned and belted around the body to create shape and form. Simple borders fall into interesting patterns when folds are creatively arranged with belts and straps. The simplest of these was called a chiton. From this you can get a variety of different looks and shapes. With a few yards of soft sheet-like material, a few pins or broaches and a long sash you can make a Greek toga with no sewing.

Things You'll Need

• 3 yards of material
• 2 yards of trim or ribbon with a Greek key pattern
• 2 to 10 safety pins
• 2 attractive broaches (optional)

Instructions

Doric chiton

1. Cut fabric to the height of the wearer plus 12 inches and to the width of the full open arm span.

2. Sew trim across the front of the bottom edge and across the back of the top edge.

3. Fold top 12 inches to the front. Both top and bottom trim will now be showing.

4. Still folded, wrap the cloth around the body under the arms from left to right.

5. Pin front to back of fabric together over each shoulder with pins or broach.

6. Belt with sash.

Variation One

1. Cut fabric to the height of the wearer plus 12 inches and to the width of the full open arm span.

2. Sew trim across the front of the bottom edge and across the back of the top edge.

3. Fold top 12 inches to the front. Both top and bottom trim will now be showing.

4. Wrap around body under the arms from left to right.

5. Pull tight under the left arm and pin over right shoulder only.

6. Belt with sash.

Variation Two

1. Cut fabric to the height of the wearer and to the width of the full open arm span.

2. Sew trim across the front of the top and bottom edge.

3. Pin front to back of fabric together over each shoulder with pins or broach.

4. Belt with sash.

Variation Three

1. Cut two pieces of material to height of the wearer and width of the wearer from elbow to elbow.

2. Pin the two pieces together over each shoulder.

3. Add three more pins on each side toward the elbow.

4. Pin sides together near waist, hip and mid thigh.

5. Belt with sash.

Tips & Warnings

• To make a man's chiton just shorten any variation to the knees.

References

• Fashion era: Ancient Greek dress chiton