Expert: Maria - 5/4/2004

Question
How did ancient greek fashion vary from the different social classes?

Answer
Hello,

Generally speaking, fashions in ancient Greece were simple as clothing expressed practical function over stylistic form.
Therefore there were no important variations among the different social classes.
The only one difference was that the upper classes could have many clothes, while the poor were forced to  have very few garments.

So, clothing for both women and men consisted of two main garments : a tunic (either a peplos or chiton) and a cloak (himation).
The peplos, worn by Greek women,  was simply a  large piece of wool or linen, wrapped around them and pinned in various ways  to make it stay.

The chiton was made of a much lighter material, usually imported linen. It was a very long and very wide rectangle of fabric sewn up at the sides, pinned or sewn at the shoulders, and usually girded around the waist. Often the chiton was wide enough to allow for sleeves that were fastened along the upper arms with pins or buttons.

Both the peplos and chiton were floor-length garments that were usually long enough to be pulled over the belt, creating a pouch known as a kolpos.

Men in ancient Greece customarily wore a chiton similar to the one worn by women, but knee-length or shorter.

The cloak (himation) worn by both women and men was essentially a rectangular piece of heavy fabric, either woolen or linen. It was draped diagonally over one shoulder or symmetrically over both shoulders, like a stole.
Women sometimes wore a shawl over the peplos or chiton.

Young men often wore a short cloak (chlamys) for riding.

Greek men occasionally wore a broad-brimmed hat (petasos).

Both women and men wore sandals, slippers, soft shoes, or boots, although at home they usually went barefoot.

Hope this outline can be helpful to you.
Bye
Maria