When many people think of Ancient Rome, they likely picture citizens walking around in togas. But did people really wear togas in Ancient Rome?
The short answer is yes, but not everyone wore them, and they weren’t worn all the time. Togas were actually a garment worn only by Roman citizens and were reserved for formal occasions such as political events, religious ceremonies, and weddings.
Togas were made of a large piece of fabric, typically white wool, and were draped around the body in a specific way. This draping was so complex that it required a special skill to wear a toga properly. The toga was also quite heavy, which made it impractical for everyday wear.
In fact, the toga was such a cumbersome garment that many people opted for more practical clothing for everyday wear. The tunica was a common garment worn by both men and women in Ancient Rome. It was made of lightweight fabric and was much easier to wear and move around in than a toga.
Additionally, not everyone in Ancient Rome was a citizen and therefore would not have been allowed to wear a toga even if they wanted to. Slaves, for example, were not allowed to wear togas, and neither were women until the Late Republic and Early Empire periods.
So while togas were indeed worn in Ancient Rome, they were not the everyday clothing of the common people. They were reserved for formal occasions and were only worn by a select few.
It’s important to remember that Ancient Rome was a complex society with many different social classes and customs, and clothing was just one small aspect of that.
