Make your toga with enough fabric for elegant draping.
The toga and laurel wreath is traditional ancient Roman garb. The toga, a swath of fabric draped over a tunic, was the noble dress of Roman men. Today's toga has taken on a different meaning. Worn regularly by collegians in Greek letter organizations, the toga symbolizes raucous parties and the carefree college life. Whatever the symbolism, a toga and head wreath are easy to construct, either in the traditional or modern fashion.
Instructions
1. Select a fabric. Wool is traditional, but most people prefer a lighter weight fabric. Muslin is inexpensive and works well. Women may want to use a decorative satin.
2. Measure the fabric for adequate coverage and draping. The width should cover from the chest to the knees or calves when wrapped around like a towel. The fabric should be long enough to wrap around at least three times. More length will allow for more draping.
3. Wrap the toga. Beginning under one arm, wrap the fabric loosely around the body at least twice, leaving room for comfortable movement. Wrap until you feel adequately covered.
4. Drape the loose end of the toga. Traditional male togas had a swath draped over the front called the sinus. The sinus crossed the body in loose folds, wrapped around the back and over the shoulder. The end was then tucked in front into the sinus to form the umbo. This is the traditional way to wear a male toga.
5. Drape the loose end of a female toga. Women were not allowed to wear togas in ancient Rome, so this style is purely modern. After wrapping the toga, drape the end over the front of the body in loose folds. Toss the end over one shoulder and leave it hanging or tuck it into the back.
6. Secure the toga with safety pins as needed. Conceal the pins under the folds.
7. Make a laurel wreath. Men wear a half-crown of bay leaves around the back of the head. Take a plain, rigid headband. Use a hot glue gun to glue on overlapping silk leaves, starting at the center, so the tips point toward the ends of the headband.
8. Adorn the toga with optional accessories. Women may want to create shape by tying a decorative rope around the waist. The loose end can be secured to the shoulder with a decorate broach.
Tags: toga with, around back, body loose, body loose folds, Drape loose, draped over, laurel wreath