What the Pompeii People Wore
The people of Pompeii lived in a prosperous city that provided its inhabitants with the wealth and luxury to wear the finest clothing. Clothing in Pompeii is best known for its intricate and elaborate weaving. Intricately designed, colorful garments with floral and geometric patterns were popular in all classes.
Upper class citizens of Pompeii would wear longer garments than the lower class citizens, who more commonly wore shorter skirts and tunics. The long garments of the upper classes were often made from linen and wool, and could be decorated with jewels or colourful dyes. There were also a variety of head ornaments and other accessories such as brooches and earrings.
Pompeii men wore a toga-like garment known as the ‘togam’. It was made from white wool and draped around the body, similar to a toga. They also wore tunics, loincloths and scarves. Men of higher social status often wore a darker toga with several stripes to indicate their rank.
Most of what was worn in Pompeii was adopted from Roman clothing. The tunic was one of the most popular garments, with both men and women wearing it as an everyday and formal dress. It was usually made of wool, linen or cotton and could have various decorations, such as embroidery, lace or ribbons.
The women of Pompeii would drape a cloth called a stola over their tunics. Stolas were made with a number of different materials, including wool, linen and silks, and could be decorated with intricate embroidery or brightly coloured dye. The wealthy women of Pompeii were draped in many layers of clothing, including the tunic and stola, as well as other accessories such as jeweled belts and headscarves.
In conclusion, clothing in Pompeii varied greatly, depending on the wealth and social status of the individual. Upper class citizens wore extravagant garments, while the lower classes were more likely to wear simpler outfits. Though largely based on Roman dress, clothes were made with a number of materials and decorated with intricate weaving and dyes.
Accessories in Pompeii
Accessories were a crucial part of the wardrobe of people in Pompeii. The wealthy citizens would adorn themselves with costly jewelry, while the lower class primarily wore everyday items. Many of the accessories used in Pompeii were adapted from Roman accessories.
The most popular accessory was the fibula, a decorative brooch used to secure garments. It was often made from precious metals and decorated with sapphires, rubies and topaz. Gold jewelry was also popular, with gold rings, necklaces and bracelets being the most common.
Another common accessory was the parazonium, a small dagger used for various purposes. It was often decorated with jewels and other precious metals. Women in Pompeii would use the parazonium as a decorative accessory, while men used it to protect themselves during fistfights.
Pompeii citizens also wore hats as part of their everyday wardrobe. Ladies wore ornate hats decorated with feathers, ribbons and jewels, while men wore hats made of animal skins. It was common for both men and women to cover their heads with a piece of cloth.
In conclusion, accessories were an important part of the wardrobe of people in Pompeii. The wealthy citizens often adorned themselves with jewelry made from gold and precious stones, while the lower classes wore everyday items. Both men and women wore hats and other cloths on their heads.
Footwear of Pompeii
The people of Pompeii wore a variety of footwear, from simple sandals to ornate shoes. The types of shoes worn depended on the social status of the wearer, with the wealthy wearing more elaborate designs than the lower classes. The materials used to make shoes ranged from leather and cloth to metal and wood.
Most of the shoes found in Pompeii were either sandals or slippers. Both men and women wore sandals, which were made of leather and fastened to the feet with straps. Slippers were made of softer materials, such as cloth and leather, and were wrapped around the foot.
The wealthy citizens of Pompeii usually wore ornate leather shoes, which could be decorated with gold or silver. The shoes were often pointed and had high heels.
The poor people of Pompeii would wear simple leather or cloth sandals. These were often made from scraps of leather or canvas and were fastened with straps.
In conclusion, the people of Pompeii wore a variety of footwear. The wealthier citizens wore ornate leather shoes, while the lower classes wore simple leather or cloth sandals. The materials used to make shoes ranged from leather and cloth to metal and wood.
Clothing Styles in Pompeii
Clothing styles in Pompeii varied greatly and were based on a person’s social status and wealth. The wealthy citizens would wear luxurious garments such as the toga and tunic, while the lower classes wore more simple garments such as linen garments and short skirts.
Most of the clothing in Pompeii was adopted from Roman style, with the toga and tunic being the two most popular garments. The toga, worn by men and women, was made from white wool and draped around the body. It could be decorated with stripes or jeweled designs to show wealth and status.
The tunic was another popular garment, worn by both sexes. It was usually made of wool, linen or cotton and could be beautifully decorated with intricate embroidery or brightly coloured dyes. Some tunics had long, flowing sleeves and others were cut to show off the wearer’s arms and shoulders.
The wealthy citizens of Pompeii had access to more expensive and elaborate clothing. Women, in particular, wore luxurious garments such as long cloaks and draped stolas. These garments were often made from expensive materials such as silk, linen and wool and were often decorated with jewels and intricate embroidery.
In conclusion, clothing styles in Pompeii varied greatly. The wealthy citizens wore luxurious garments such as the toga and tunic, while the lower classes wore simpler garments such as linen garments and short skirts. Most of the clothing in Pompeii was based on Roman style, with elaborate decorations and embroidery.
Textiles used in Pompeii
The people of Pompeii had access to a variety of textiles and used them in their everyday clothing. Wool, linen and cotton were the most common materials used, although silk was also available to the wealthy citizens.
The wool used in Pompeii was of high quality and was often dyed with a range of colours. Wool was the preferred material for the toga, as it was considered to be light, strong and durable.
Linen was also widely used in Pompeii, although it was more expensive than wool. It was often used to make tunics and was usually dyed in bright colours.
Cotton was another material used in Pompeii, although it was not as commonplace as wool and linen. It was mainly used for everyday items such as tunics and simple garments.
Silk was rarer than the other materials and was only available to the wealthy citizens. It was used for elaborate garments and headgear, and was often brightly coloured.
In conclusion, the textiles used in Pompeii were mainly wool, linen and cotton. Silk was rare and was only available to the wealthy citizens. All of the materials were used in a variety of ways, from everyday clothing to elaborate garments.
The Culture of Fashion in Pompeii
Fashion was a crucial part of the culture in Pompeii and the wealthy citizens had access to the finest clothing. They would often show off their wealth by wearing luxurious garments and accessories, such as jeweled belts and ornate shoes. The lower classes would wear simpler clothing, such as linen garments and leather sandals.
Fashion in Pompeii was heavily influenced by Roman style and many of the garments worn were adapted from Roman clothing. The toga was one of the most popular garments, and was often decorated with stripes and jeweled designs. Similarly, the tunic was another popular garment, with both men and women wearing it as an everyday and formal dress.
Fashion in Pompeii was also heavily influenced by the climate. During the summer months, citizens would wear light and airy garments such as linen tunics and light cloaks. During the colder months, they would don heavier and more bulky garments such as thick woollen togas and cloaks.
Fashion was also used as a way of displaying wealth and status. The wealthy citizens of Pompeii were easily distinguished by their elaborate and expensive garments, while the lower classes were more likely to wear simpler outfits.
In conclusion, fashion was a significant part of the culture in Pompeii. The wealthy citizens wore extravagant garments, while the lower classes were more likely to wear simpler outfits. Heavy influences from Roman style were also seen, with the toga and tunic being the most popular garments.