How to Make a Toga

Whether it’s a presentation of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, a reenactment of Roman times, or a costume party, a toga is the perfect article of clothing that represents the glory of ancient Rome. The toga is a very simple garment, but it bore a lot of importance and carried a lot of weight in ancient Roman society. If you want to make your own toga for a play, gathering, or party, here are the tools and steps you need to make one.

What is a Toga?

To the Romans, the toga was more than just a piece of cloth worn around the body; it represented peace, power, and the height of their proud civilization. All male citizens of Rome were required to wear the toga outdoors, when appearing in public, or when required to appear in official or formal functions.

There are many kinds of togas worn in Rome. A simple white toga was worn by male citizens and civilians. Some togas were also worn to represent mourning, or to indicate one’s rank or status in the Roman political system. The toga picta, for example, was a toga dyed purple, embroidered and decorated with gold, and was only worn by the Emperor, the consuls, or by generals who have just come off from outstanding victories in the battlefield.

Tools

To make your own toga, you need the following steps:

• Cloth. While any long, broad cloth can be used to fashion a toga, you need a piece of strong, sturdy cloth that’s at least six yards wide. Try to avoid using bedsheets as much as possible, because they aren’t large enough to be used as togas.
• Pins. Strong safety pins can be used to hold the toga together, although you may also use cord.
• Accessories. To make yourself look as Roman as possible, you may want to use accessories with your toga. You don’t have to be completely faithful to Roman ways of life: you may use oak leaf headdresses, swords, earthen jars, or any other prop to add to your costume. (For more toga costume accessories, see Toga Costume Accessories)

Steps

The toga is very simple to wear:

1. The toga is typically worn above a tunic.
2. Wrap the cloth once around your waist, starting from your rear.
3. Wrap the cloth one and a half times around your waist, and secure it with a pin.
4. Throw the rest of the cloth over either shoulder, allowing some of the cloth to hang loose from the front.
5. Secure the rest of the cloth on your back to your waist with a pin.

The Roman poet Virgil once referred to the Romans as “the lords of the world, the toga-wearing race.” With these tips, you can reproduce and relive the glory of ancient Rome by wearing a toga proudly. For more information in toga making, read how to make a toga costume.