For instance, if the toga was truly white because the fabric was bleached, that generally indicated the person was in public office. Dark colors indicated the person was in mourning. White with a purple border was worn by curule magistrates, while purple with a gold thread around the border was worn, at different times, by generals (although only those who had won battles and wars), kings, and emperors.
Muslin is a good option, because it is light and flowing. Another option is any flannel that is flowing. You can find both of these fabrics at your local fabric store. Basically, you don’t want anything too smooth because it will slip right off.
At the fabric store, you can specify how much fabric you want. Sometimes, if you get the end of a bolt, the store will give you a discount on buying the rest of the bolt passed what you ordered to be cut. For instance, if you ask for 4 yards and the bolt has 4 3/4 yards, the store may give you a discount if you want that extra 3/4 of a yard.
A queen is a good size. It’s slightly longer than a full, but it doesn’t have as much width as a king. Some people prefer a twin or full because it doesn’t add as much bulk.
Try adding a fabric softener to help with the process. You can run it through the washing machine twice if once doesn’t soften it up enough to drape well.
While it won’t matter with some fabrics, hemming the edges will keep your toga from fraying. If you don’t care about fraying, you can skip the hemming process.
One shape was a straight line across the top and a curve across the bottom, creating pointed ends. A later shape was more of a hexagon, with a straight line across the top, with two lines slanting down to points. The bottom was a straight line with two lines slanting up to the same points, though these are slightly curved. This shape is flatter than an regular hexagon. [4] X Research source If you want either of these shapes, cut the fabric with fabric scissors, leaving about 2 1⁄4 inches (5. 7 cm) around the sides to hem the fabric.
To hem the raw edges, fold the fabric in about 3⁄4 inch (1. 9 cm). [7] X Research source If you’re hemming a curved edge, you can make this part easier by sewing along the edge first, about 3/4 of an inch in, then fold it along that line. [8] X Research source Iron the edge. Fold it in again, this time about about 1 1/2 of an inch in. Iron it again. [9] X Research source Sew along the inside edge. To tack the hem down, sew it down, closer to the inside edge than the outside edge. [10] X Research source You can also sew small weights into the hem to help it hang better. [11] X Research source
If you use the hem tape, you’ll probably need to iron the outside of the fabric to make it stick. Make sure to not make the glue too thick, or it can show through the other side. Test it first to see how it looks.
If you used the hexagon shape, you’ll need to fold it in half first. [14] X Research source The Romans usually wore at least a tunic underneath their togas. You can wear a shirt and shorts/pants or a skirt to help cover up. [15] X Research source
You might need some help at this stage, since the fabric is so long.
Make sure the fabric drapes around your hip. You don’t want it to be too tight. Also, this step makes the length of your toga, so make sure it is long enough. The next step will partly cover your torso.
The point should be a bit higher in back than it is in front.
A good place to pin it is on the left shoulder. Though the Romans usually didn’t pin their togas, pinning it will give you more freedom to move, as the toga was fairly restrictive. You can also use a belt to help hold it in place.
Another option is to create a fake laurel wreath. Unfurl a wire coat hanger, and reshape it into a wreath around your head. Get plastic leaves from an art supply store or gather real leaves and glue them or wrap around the wire. Make sure you let the glue dry. Be liberal when applying the leaves to cover the wire.
If you fold it exactly in half, you will make a very short toga. [20] X Research source For a longer toga, don’t go all the way down when folding it. Just fold it partway. [21] X Research source Remember, togas were generally worn over tunics, so you can wear it over a shirt or some other type of garment or even your regular clothes. Using a sheet, in particular, creates a fairly skimpy toga, so you probably want to wear something under it.
If you’re draping the toga yourself, the easiest way to do this step is to throw the whole sheet over your shoulders like a cape, lengthwise. On your left side, pull it so just the end is hanging over your arm, then pull up the slack on the other side. [24] X Research source
Try to gently pleat the part that goes under your arm. That is, when it comes around your hip from the back, use your hands to fold the fabric back and forth, so it drapes in small folds. [27] X Research source
Though the Romans didn’t usually pin their togas, you can use a safety pin to pin it at the shoulder. That way, it won’t slip off. [29] X Research source
