Toga Patterns

Toga is a unique pattern of clothing worn by the ancient Romans between 78 and 500 AD. The toga is a garment, where a 6 metered lengthy cloth is wrapped along the body. This cloth is made up of fine wool. A tunic made in linen is worn under the toga.

In the olden days Toga was worn on a daily basis. As the days passed by it is worn as a festival garment. It was particularly worn by Romans only and was denied for other country men. In these modern days even women also wear toga where as in Rome only prostitutes wear it. Toga party is specially organized where both the guests and the hosts adopt toga as theirs dress code.

Different types of people wore various types of togas during various occasions. The various toga patterns are -

Virilis Toga – It is white colored plain cloth worn by teenagers only on very formal occasions

Candida Toga – It is a bleached toga worn by honorable persons and other office bearers

Praetexta Toga – A simple white toga bordered in purple white stripes. This was worn by lads, magistrates, during special occasions and priests.

Pulla Toga – It is a dark colored toga worn while mourning. At times it was worn while protesting.

Picta Toga – It was a colored toga with golden threads embroidered in the border. It was worn only by the kings and the emperors.

 Trabea Toga – These purple colored togas were meant only for the Gods.

The traditional Roman toga patterns were made out of wool and placing it around the shoulder with the other end hanging in the front. Togas can be tied in 4-6 yards of cloth depending upon the size of the person who is ought to wear it. For a child 4 yards is more than enough, whereas for a heavily built adult 6 yards is essential. The pattern of tying toga is pretty simple. Take the rectangular shaped cloth and wrap it around your waist with one end and pin it up.  Now take the remaining cloth and cover it to either of your shoulder around the back and pin it up. Men had the practice of wearing belt over the tunic. Roman men wore leather sandals to match their togas.

Now-a-days togas are used during Halloween. After the release of the film Animal House, Togas have become a part of the college cultural events.