Fashion

Amanda Harris Home Daily Life in the Republic Fashion in the Roman Republic The Roman Empire was known for being a place of power and innovation at the peak of its existence. Their military and strategic abilities have captivated people ever sense the high of its time. Even though it might seem minimal fashion in Roman Empire also played a large role. Fashion made a big impact not just on the empire but also on the people of the Roman Republic. Clothing, accessories, and hairstyles were significant in many ways. Men wore togas and women wore tunics with stola’s over them. (Cavazzi) The color and pattern designs that could be on the clothing served as a representation of social status. Lower class typically had no design or color on their clothing. (McManus) The higher classes had more elaborate and well decorated clothing. (“Clothing and Fashion in Roman Britain”) Jewelry was worn by both men and women. A ring was the most popular piece of jewelry to be worn; it also served other purposes that just as a fashion statement. Men used them as an authoritative decoration and to seal documents with the family seal engraved on it. Men and women held their clothing together with fasteners that ranged in elaboration based on their social status. (Alchin) This same concept of the better or more elaborate something is reflected social status through hairstyles too. Women wore a simple bun if she were poor. Richer women had curls and very complicated hairstyles. (Cowell 157) Shoes were also a part of the fashion. They consisted of open toed and close toed shoes. Open toed were to be worn indoors and closed outdoors. Undergarments consisted of a loincloth for both men and women. Women additionally wore a piece of leather around their chest that served as a bra. Because the toga stood as a great important in fashion it was the national garment in Rome. (McManus) Within their society appearance was very important and fashion really impacted their daily lives.

Works Cited: Alchin, Linda. Roman Jewelry. 16 June. 2008 [Cavazzi, Franco. Roman Dress. 8 June. 2008 http://www.roman-empire.net/society/soc-dress.html Cowell, Frank Richard. __Life in Ancient Rome.__ Putnam: Perigee, 1976  McManus, Barbara F. Roman Clothing. The College of New Rochelle. August  2003 http://www.vroma.org/~bmcmanus/clothing.html __Clothing and Fashion in Roman Britain.__ British Museum. 1 Dec. 2005 http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/c/clothing_in_roman_britain.aspxCarbuncle.Ancient Rome History Resource at Hadrians.com.  http://www.hadrians.com/images/graphics.rome/emperors/roman_man_in_toga_illustration.jgpVandervort,[[image:romanring.jpg]