4 Winter Solstice Rituals From Around the World

Thousands of people around the globe will herald the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, with centuries-old rituals like soaking in fruit-filled baths and dressing up as a devilish folklore legend that punishes naughty children around Christmas.

The solstice, which falls on Dec. 21 this year, marks the first day of winter. It starts the moment the Northern Hemisphere is pointed at its farthest distance from the sun. The winter solstice is considered a turning point in the year in many cultures. The sacred day is also called Yule to pagans celebrating the birth of the new solar year, according to Circle Sanctuary, a prominent pagan group in America. Dozens of pagans and druids head to Stonehenge, an iconic site in England, to pay tribute to the sun during the solstice.

Getting scared by Krampus in Austria
Hordes of revelers descend on Hollabrunn, Austria each year during the winter solstice to watch a swarm of people dressed like Krampus — the half-demon, half-goat counterpart to Santa Claus — terrorize and tease the crowd in horned masks, fur body suits and whips. “It is weird, but it’s fun,” said Natalie Kononenko, a professor and Kule Chair in Ukrainian Ethnography Arts at the University of Alberta in Canada.

Krampus is a figure that punishes bad children by whipping and snatching them, according to Germanic folklore. The traditional Krampus run in Austria is believed to ward off bad spirits near the winter solstice, but it is also a source of local entertainment, Kononenko said. Last year, the creatures wielded torches, charged at delighted guests and jumped over security gates to lightly whip people, according to footage from the Associated Press.

While many of the costumes include giant horns, sharpened teeth and mangled faces — features that might be considered nightmarish to an ordinary person — the Krampus run annually amuses those in attendance. “It’s sort of like Halloween,” Kononenko said. “You get to dress up in these really disgusting costumes. You get to do stuff you don’t normally get to do.”

This year’s family-friendly Krampus run in Hollabrunn’s main square takes place Dec. 16. “To be really afraid again and experience evil with fun is the motto,” its organizers wrote on the event’s website.

Taking in a once-in-a-lifetime sight in Ireland
Dozens of people, lucky enough to be selected through an annual lottery, get the chance to stand inside the Newgrange monument in Ireland and absorb the first rays of the day as they fill the ancient chambers during the winter solstice.

Newgrange is a burial mound in Ireland’s Boyne Valley that is over 5,000 years old. The Stone Age monument contains a 62-foot passage that leads into a chamber that is aligned with the sun as it rises during the winter solstice, according to its website. Between Dec. 19 and Dec. 23 around dawn, sunlight pierces through the top of the chamber and slowly illuminates the room for about 17 minutes.

More than 32,500 people applied for a spot inside the chamber this year, according to Newgrange’s website. Only 60 of them were picked from the lottery to partake in this winter solstice ritual.

Soaking in baths full of fruit in Japan
In Japan, people traditionally soak in hot baths with the yuzu citrus fruit to welcome the winter solstice and protect their bodies from the common cold. During last year’s solstice celebration, children from a local preschool shared a dip in a traditional yuzu tub in the city of Toyooka as dozens of the yellow yuzu fruits surrounded them on the surface, according to Japan’s daily newspaper Asahi Shimbun. Similarly, the bath has become custom for animals in some Japanese zoos. Photos from the local media show Japanese macaques, hippos and capybaras enjoying fruit-filled baths last December in their enclosures at the Fukuoka City Zoological Garden and the Izu Shaboten Zoo.

In Korea, good luck on the solstice is associated with red bean porridge. Koreans will often make the dish both to eat and spread around the house to keep evil spirits away, according to Seungja Choi, a senior lector of East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale University. Besides its believed spiritual benefits, Choi said, the meal also contains a lot of nutrition. “If you eat this, you get healthy,” she said.

Catching the sunrise at Stonehenge
England’s famous Stonehenge lures thousands of visitors during the summer and winter solstices. Revelers gather at the prehistoric site of ancient stones in Wiltshire to sing, dance, play instruments, kiss the stones and do yoga as they wait for the sun to rise. The iconic Stonehenge is known for its precise alignment with the sun’s movement and may have been a sacred place of worship and celebration for solstices for thousands of years, according to English Heritage, which manages the popular destination.

Ancient Costume and Modern Fashion

　　Within the past few years art in dress has become an accomplished fact, and historic costume as a serious subject of art research has developed new and fascinating possibilities. The far-reaching archaeological connections of the subject have been especially emphasized as recent discoveries and excavations have more and more brought to light the manner of dress in the ancient world. The trend of fashion a few years ago took a turn far backward into antiquity. What was worn in the days of the Pharaohs was made to seem new, interpreted by Parisian designers who dip into ancient history with such careless aplomb, and flit with case from one epoch to another, from early Egyptian to Victorian days before yesterday.
　　It is acknowledged that it is this facile dexterity in combining past and present, the ability to cull suggestions from other eras, and endow them with the personal touch of today--and tomorrow--that has given the French designers their supremacy in dictating modern fashions. In the field of stage costume design there has been much rivalry in European centers, while in America the desire to create in all fields of costume design has already had very practical results. There are now plenty of opportunities for training in this branch of art. We have not only the numerous special courses offered in art schools, but still more important, the co-operation of museums and art reference libraries, opening up avenues of special knowledge only waiting to be utilized by individuals. And the study of the evolu tion of costume has a wide interest going far beyond the merely professional one. In the glass of fashion down the ages is presented such a wealth of human associations of universal interest.
　　EGYPT
　　For the beginnings of civilized cos tume we must go back to the source of most civilized things, the Valley of the Nile. In Egypt at some remote unknown dates were evolved the original types of covering for the human body the tunic, the robe, the skirt accompanied by shawl or cape. These were all worn with few variations by both men and women. Man did not really adopt the present nondescript and uniform attire prescribed by civilization till the beginning of the nineteenth century A. D. it is to be remembered. Modern interpretations of Egyptian costume have an air that is dashing and bizarre; in reality the Egyptians were conservative in costume as in all else. They appear to have kept on with the same fashions century after century, though archaeology has now progressed far enough for experts to say that certain things were fashionable in such and such a dynasty. In periods when all the arts flourished most dress became less primitive. The recent discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen illustrates a very brilliant period of course. Linen was the principal material used and the highly decorative effects were usually obtained by borders and fringes. Skins were worn, garments of gazelle hide, cut and seamed, and panther and leopard skins thrown over the shoulders. A warrior's metal cuirass appears, formed of scales, and it was imitated in all-over scale patterns.
　　With the aid of a little imagination we can conjure up from the remote past typical Egyptian figures. Most familiar, through having been adapted by modern fashion, is the clinging or wrapped style of garment extending from ankles to bust, with a deep, ornamental collar worn over the shoulders. The marked physiognomy was often surrounded by a wig, with a diadem placed low on the forehead. Head-dresses show varied and elaborate symbolic forms, the uraeus in front of the tall helmet, or skullcap shapes, is familiar. The most recent excavations have unearthed rich treasures in jewelry. The art of Egyptian lapidaries and goldsmiths is shown in necklaces, bracelets, earrings, girdles and finger-rings of exquisite workmanship. The innumerable little jars and boxes for cosmetics, and the metal hand-mirrors, are witnesses of how much of life was vanity, then as now.
　　All these things belonged to the luxurious side of ancient life, but Egyptian art records the humbler phases too. There are figures of dark skinned slaves brought to the Nile ports in war-galleys from the African interior, wearing the primitive loin cloth, or the short skirt, which were commonly worn by servants and peas ants, and by scribes. Strange foreign figures are sometimes portrayed, of Asiatic envoys, and "Philistines" with a distinctive head-dress and European cast of features. Many different notes in the garb of old Egypt throw light on the daily life of the people.

King Tut and Nefertiti Costume

  Here are some free Egyptian themed costume history colouring-in pictures for your personal use.  Children can add their own coloured decorative shapes to the gem bands on the King Tut funeral mask.
King Tutankhamun was a married boy King of 19 years when he died.  His tomb was found in 1922 by the English gentleman archaeologist Howard Carter.  It is now thought by Egyptologists that Tutankhamen's father was the Pharaoh Akhenaton (occupant of tomb 55 in the Valley of the Kings) and who ruled for 17 years.  Shared blood grouping has suggested that Tutankhamun and Akhenaton were closely related.
  Akhenaton's consort was his wife Queen Nefertiti, a most beautiful woman and the coloured statue of her head is shown right.  It is this statue which confirms the use of a cosmetic product to make Egyptian lips red. You will also find a colouring-in picture of an Egyptian headdress on that page.
Later Queen Nefertiti became co-regent and power passed to her on King Akhenaton's death, before she too met her demise.  It seems Queen Nefertiti only bore daughters, and that the mother of King Tut was in fact another secondary wife of Akhenaton.  Kiya as she was called, was at one point in favour with the king, until she was in turn usurped by Nefertiti.

   Tutankhamun was in his teens when he married his half sister, one of Queen Nefertiti's daughters called Ankhsenamun.  Keeping property, wealth and power closely within the family was thought to safeguard the continuance of the dynasty.
  Many of the ancient Egyptian names end in 'amun', but sometimes Tutankhamun is spelled as Tutankhamen. 
  The version Tutankhamun came into general use in UK when King Tut's exhibition first came to Britain in the early 1970s.  Suddenly, we were all told the correct way to pronounce it was with an ending sound of ahhhhh-moon!  These days he is most likely to be referred to as the abbreviated King TUT.
  The abbreviation is due in part to songs about the young king.  I like this shorter version of the name as this is one king that seems like an old friend, because we know so much about him.  Besides texting  'Off to see King Tutankhamun at O2' may just be a tad long for today's teenager!

Ancient Costume and Modern Fashion

Within the past few years art in dress has become an accomplished fact, and historic costume as a serious subject of art research has developed new and fascinating possibilities. The far-reaching archaeological connections of the subject have been especially emphasized as recent discoveries and excavations have more and more brought to light the manner of dress in the ancient world. The trend of fashion a few years ago took a turn far backward into antiquity. What was worn in the days of the Pharaohs was made to seem new, interpreted by Parisian designers who dip into ancient history with such careless aplomb, and flit with case from one epoch to another, from early Egyptian to Victorian days before yesterday.
It is acknowledged that it is this facile dexterity in combining past and present, the ability to cull suggestions from other eras, and endow them with the personal touch of today--and tomorrow--that has given the French designers their supremacy in dictating modern fashions. In the field of stage costume design there has been much rivalry in European centers, while in America the desire to create in all fields of costume design has already had very practical results. There are now plenty of opportunities for training in this branch of art. We have not only the numerous special courses offered in art schools, but still more important, the co-operation of museums and art reference libraries, opening up avenues of special knowledge only waiting to be utilized by individuals. And the study of the evolu tion of costume has a wide interest going far beyond the merely professional one. In the glass of fashion down the ages is presented such a wealth of human associations of universal interest.

　　EGYPT

For the beginnings of civilized cos tume we must go back to the source of most civilized things, the Valley of the Nile. In Egypt at some remote unknown dates were evolved the original types of covering for the human body the tunic, the robe, the skirt accompanied by shawl or cape. These were all worn with few variations by both men and women. Man did not really adopt the present nondescript and uniform attire prescribed by civilization till the beginning of the nineteenth century A. D. it is to be remembered. Modern interpretations of Egyptian costume have an air that is dashing and bizarre; in reality the Egyptians were conservative in costume as in all else. They appear to have kept on with the same fashions century after century, though archaeology has now progressed far enough for experts to say that certain things were fashionable in such and such a dynasty. In periods when all the arts flourished most dress became less primitive. The recent discovery of the tomb of King Tutankhamen illustrates a very brilliant period of course. Linen was the principal material used and the highly decorative effects were usually obtained by borders and fringes. Skins were worn, garments of gazelle hide, cut and seamed, and panther and leopard skins thrown over the shoulders. A warrior's metal cuirass appears, formed of scales, and it was imitated in all-over scale patterns.
With the aid of a little imagination we can conjure up from the remote past typical Egyptian figures. Most familiar, through having been adapted by modern fashion, is the clinging or wrapped style of garment extending from ankles to bust, with a deep, ornamental collar worn over the shoulders. The marked physiognomy was often surrounded by a wig, with a diadem placed low on the forehead. Head-dresses show varied and elaborate symbolic forms, the uraeus in front of the tall helmet, or skullcap shapes, is familiar. The most recent excavations have unearthed rich treasures in jewelry. The art of Egyptian lapidaries and goldsmiths is shown in necklaces, bracelets, earrings, girdles and finger-rings of exquisite workmanship. The innumerable little jars and boxes for cosmetics, and the metal hand-mirrors, are witnesses of how much of life was vanity, then as now.
All these things belonged to the luxurious side of ancient life, but Egyptian art records the humbler phases too. There are figures of dark skinned slaves brought to the Nile ports in war-galleys from the African interior, wearing the primitive loin cloth, or the short skirt, which were commonly worn by servants and peas ants, and by scribes. Strange foreign figures are sometimes portrayed, of Asiatic envoys, and "Philistines" with a distinctive head-dress and European cast of features. Many different notes in the garb of old Egypt throw light on the daily life of the people.

　　MESOPOTAMIA

The Assyrians were somewhat more elaborate in their dress than the Egyptians. Their kings, at least, wore long tunics, small shawl draperies fastened to girdles, and many dangling tassels. The ancient Assyrian head-dress, the fez, or tarbush, has persisted to the present day. Wool was used as well as linen, and furs in hunting costume. There was more embroidery than in Egypt. An illustration in a recent costume book of the tunic of King Assur-bani-pal, seventh century B. C., richly embroidered and fringed, is a model for a modern tunic, just as it is shown. Another king of antiquity, the great and terrible Darius of Persia, is shown in a robe draped rather elegantly on either side with the aid of a tight girdle. He wears a high crown and earrings, and carries in his right hand a tall cane, and in his left a sort of symbolic scepter.

　　CRETE

Many centuries before the period of Darius, in the Minoan era, in the island of Crete, appear to have been worn quite the most amazing clothes in the ancient world. Archaeologists have taught us to regard the Minoan era as the "Forerunner of Greece," but nothing could be farther from classic draperies than the costume of the two famous little faience figures of Greece," but nothing could be farther from classic draperies than the costume of the two famous little faience figures of the snake goddess and votary, date about 1600 B. C., that, in bodices so tightly laced, and skirts so distended, seem actually barbaric forerunners of eighteenth or nineteenth century court fashions of France. These doll-like figures are symbolic, doubtless used in the performance of sacred rites. However a few other discoveries have furnished evidence that this was a prevailing mode for women of Crete, and the Greek mainland also.

　　GREECE

Though little is known about the earliest Greek costume and the transitions to the later style, the Heroic Age of Greek story and legend must have been one of bright-hued garments and rich gold ornaments. Modern knowledge obtained from the excavations of Mycenae and Tiryns points to a very real background for Homeric traditions. Details are wanting, and we do not know exactly in what attire to picture the women who lived when fair Helen is supposed to have beguiled her victims, and Penelope kept her lonely state. For modern representations of old Greek dramas founded on the Heroic Age, costumes are chosen with some latitude as to time and place. Stephen Phillips' modern play of " Ulysses " was first brought out in London twenty years ago, and authorities of the British Museum lent their aid in designing the superb setting and costumes according to the latest knowledge then available. Architectural details were based on the discoveries at Mycenae, but the characters were dressed from artistic suggestions of a later date. A little more information is available nowadays, and producers have made some experiments in accuracy.
Fortunately Greek costume of the highest period of civilization is so fully illustrated in the multitude of figures on fifth and fourth century vases that they are veritable mines of suggestion. There are most charming figures to be found, in those attitudes of rhythmic grace and vivid action that are still the despair of modem gymnastics and "beauty culture." Vase paintings are not the only source of knowledge, there are the little Tanagra statuettes in terra cotta, petite fashion models of every day Hellenic costume, full of style and distinction that have such an intimate appeal even without the color that once made them more life-like. Greek costume was not so monotonous as it may at first seem to have been. The tunic, or chiton, is long or short, and varied in the adjustment, the mantle, or himation, is disposed in different ways, and.there are borders and small-figured ornament. Beauty of coloring has always to be imagined. Much of what looks like "accordion pleating" appears, and when some Maenad or ' Bacchante wears a leopard skin over her transparent pleated draperies there is an exotic effect such as strikes the modern fancy. There are scarfs, and fans, and pointed hats, and jewelry has ceased to be of barbaric design and profusion. And what coiffure has ever been designed more becoming than the Greek-if becoming at all? Modern fashion, since the First Empire modes, has not tampered much with the Greek high period until recently. A combination of the untrammelled figure and drapery sent designers straight back to it. Goddesses may be out of tune with the modem scheme of things, but there are always a few women who look their best in evening gowns of classic lines.
There are late Greek fashions of the era when Oriental influences in the wealthy and flourishing Greek colonies must have produced changes, and these have not been so thoroughly investigated as more ancient modes.

　　ROME

The Romans followed the Greek style of dress so generally that their costume does not present many features of special interest. We picture the Roman lady as a conventional, dignified figure, in her stola, falling in ample folds from neck to feet, adjusted by a girdle. The palla was an outer garment, and a fold of it was used to cover the head out-of -doors, by matrons of high degree; further protection was afforded by the parasol or umbrella carried by slaves. The famous toga of the Roman citizen is an appalling garment for the modern man to con template, though we do not question its ancient dignity. In magnificent triumphal processions there must have been varied costumes. The proud Eastern beauty, Zenobia, walked in chains as a captive in such a triumph. The hero of the occasion rode standing in a chariot, clothed in tunic and toga of purple embroidered with gold, and he carried an ivory scepter topped with an eagle, while over his laurel crowned head a slave held a gold wreath. The slave had also another duty to perform-at intervals he whispered in the car of the hero the strange warning: "Look behind. Remember that you are but a man." The triumphal chariot was preceded by dancers and singers, and followed by soldiers in brilliant military trappings, their spears garlanded with laurel. In everyday life the proverbial Roman luxury and lavish expenditure were for the accessories of dress--jewels, elegant foot-gear, and the elaborate equipments of the toilet and bath.
Silk was used in Rome as a costly material difficult to obtain, but it is well known that the secrets of silk culture, and the weaving of silken fabrics, reached Europe from China by way of the Eastern Roman Empire in Byzantium. China was advanced in the textile arts far back in antiquity. Sculptured figures of the T'ang period have clinging draperies in graceful lines that are Greek in suggestion, though more complicated in style. Recent archaeological explorations in the mysterious and debatable lands on the western borders of China, and north of India, have disclosed an ancient art showing varied Oriental and Classical influences. Interesting notes on costume are to be gathered from the decoration of cave temples of this region.

Browse Roman Costumes Now

　　
　　Gladiators
By far the best known Roman figures are the gladiators. These Roman “performers”, the rock stars of the ancient world (who very rarely retired in comfort!) have been shaped by numerous movies and historical adaptations.
If you have also been fascinated with the life these tough fighters lead, choose a gladiator costume this Halloween.
For a great image choose the Gladiator “fight to the death” Adult Costume. It comes with everything but the weapon – shirt, cape, gleaming chest plate armor and skirt, full helmet, and wrist, shoulder and shin guards.
Dressed like that, there will be no enemy who can defeat you, and every woman will wonder what brutal, fierce warrior resides under that helmet?

　　Toga! Toga! Though better known for frat parties today, togas were an essential item in Roman life. They were worn for ceremonial purposes and were a status symbol, and only allowed to be worn by male citizens of the Roman Empire – foreigners and even Romans banned from the empire could not wear it.
Toga costumes come in a variety of styles, from simple, charming white outfits to elaborate, gold-embroidered costumes with regal sashes to denote a high official.
There’s a lot of great variations for women, too, from gorgeous full length white gowns to short, skimpy and sexy togas.
Purchase a laurel crown and a pair of Roman sandals and you will be ready to converse in the Forum – “Romans, lend me your beer!”
Roman costumes tackle a great variety of subjects and characters. Choose your favorite one and revive one of the most successful civilizations that ever existed! Whether you want to be a sexy goddess or empress or you are thinking about a warrior or emperor costume, the ancient Rome can serve as inspiration for an elegant and stylish costume that will instantly put you in the spotlight!
Typical Roman dress included the toga (wearable by men who were Roman citizens only) and the stola, a long gown worn by married women. Both sexes wore a tunic, usually two – one as an undergarment, and one (usually shorter) over top. Slaves and lower class Romans only had a single tunic in their entire wardrobe. Can you imagine wearing what is basically a night shirt day in, day out?

Ancient Roman Costumes

　　
　　ogas, Tunics, and Cloaks – These classic Roman costumes will bring back the glory and elegance of a long gone, brave age!
Gladiator, Ben Hur, Spartacus, and the HBO series Rome brings the excitement, the dignity (and deprivations) of an emperor and empress, intrigue and brutality of life in ancient Rome. Not to mention the hugely popular movie 300, depicting the super-manly Spartan warriors of ancient Greek times, a civilization flourishing a couple centuries further back from Roman imperialism.
The Roman dress, from white woolen togas and more “common” tunics to the decorative, gleaming armor of military soldiers and centurions, are definitely some great reasons to dress as an ancient Roman or Greek this Halloween!
The grandiose Roman life, their unprecedented standard of civilization and their military skills are definitely reasons for which Romans should be respected and remembered. Dressing as a Roman is definitely the best of historical outfits, a costume that will command respect and honor – or luxury and decadence, if you wish to play it this way!

　　Here’s a couple great Greek and Roman costume ideas to get you started:
The Roman Emperor and Empress
Ruler of all, unlimited power, decadence and ruthlessness! The ruler of all Rome was in theory a hereditary position, but more often than not a bloody military coup would place a general on the imperial throne.
The power behind an emperor was often his wife or mother, who was even more ruthless and cruel than himself! There are many historical instances where mothers or wives deposed and had emperors murdered to advance their own sons or husbands.
The highest quality costumes will definitely look imperial, with embroidered and detailed togas, tunics and stately robes. Many costumes will also come with gold armbands, medallions and laurel-leaf crowns.

Costumes Ideas From Ancient Greece For Halloween 2011

With Halloween just round the corner, perhaps you’re starting to wonder about getting a super outfit for the all important Halloween party. Or perhaps you’re hunting for two or three costume ideas that you’re kids can wear when they’re out and about trick or treating. You do not want to conform to the norm, thus here’s two or three classic costume ideas new for Halloween 2011. For this particular article, we’ll consider Ancient Greece and Greek outfits. So without further ado let us get into it.
Background On Classic Greek Costumes
For plenty of people, in particular the Europeans (and surely by implication the lands that were settled by Europeans thereafter), Greece is viewed as the cradle of their civilization. The culture that was Ancient Greece lasted for many centuries and only really ended when it was synthesized into the Roman Empire.
The Romans assumed many of the Ancient Greek beliefs including having similar gods (except they called them distinct names). A lot of the Greek ethics, organization, know-how and elementary discoveries were taken on by Roman society. When Rome went on to colonize most of Europe these beliefs were passed on too.
And hence, when these nations, like Britain, France, Portugal, Spain and Holland went on to colonize new worlds, they instilled the same basic elements, initially developed in Ancient Greece onto the peoples of these new lands.
So how does this Translate To Greek Outfits for Halloween ?
Greek design is often seen as classical, be it architecture or outfits. The classic Greek look in terms of clothes is the unadorned white tunic. This is sometimes called a toga (and toga costume parties are an awesome idea) but the Toga is actually a Roman invention.
The classic white tunic look is good for both males and females. These days, to give the costume a bit of charm, we like to consider being a Greek god or goddess wearing these white tunics. They can each contain essentials that make them look unique – like the Sovereign of the Gods Zeus or the Goddess of Love – Aphrodite.
One more Greek look that is popular, because of movies and literature, is the soldier or warrior look. Spartans battling Persians is a great look when you have the body to carry it off. It could be as simple as a risque loin cloth and helmet combination (which is certain to get you plenty of attention) or you may opt for the more conservative body armor covering the chest, arms and legs.
Summation
Hit the heights this Halloween period, attired in a Greek God costume such as Zeus costume. It really is a very unusual costume idea that is guaranteed to get tongues wagging at the get-together or even out on the streets whilst trick or treating.

Ancient Greek Clothing

The Ancient Greeks were not fussy about their clothing. The garments they wore were made for function, and they were made simply. A single piece of fabric could be styled and restyled, to fit a particular occasion or a fashion. And with Greek summers being brutally hot, the less fabric and complicating seams to deal with, the better.
The fabrics that the Greeks used for their clothing was sometimes spun in the home (often into a heavy wool material), or made from linen fabric that was imported. For every member of the family, except for infants who often wore nothing at all, an outfit usually consisted of a square or rectangular piece of fabric, pins for fastening, and sometimes shoes and/or hats. The pieces of fabric were folded around the body, and pinned together at the side seams and shoulders, as well as being belted. Though it might sound as if the Greeks walked around wearing plain potato sacks, their clothing would have been dyed bright colors and would have been decorated with ornate patterns.
The style and type of the garment depended on who was wearing it, and the job or function required of the person. There were several types of garments, derived from a basic tunic. The tunic was worn by both men and women, and varied in length according to job and gender. It was often tied at the waist, and might also have been pinned at the seams, depending on the style of the garment.