Ancient Greek women's clothing and garments: peplos, chiton, himation, epiblema (explanations and examples)

 

Hello!
 
I am still continuing my fascination with Antiquity and its culture. This time, I decided to take a peek into the world of women's clothing, which also had its long-standing traditions.
 
Peplos (Gr. Peplos)

In the illustration, the first woman on the left is wearing a peplos. This is the most archaic and simplest outer garment, typical of ancient Greek women, especially of the Archaic period (up to the 6th century BC). The name originates from the Greek word meaning a piece of cloth. It was made from a single large, usually woolen, rectangular piece of fabric that was not sewn.
 
The garment was formed by folding it in half so that the upper edge formed a kind of fold or "bib" (called the apoptygma) falling to the waist. The fabric was wrapped around the body, and the upper corners were fastened on the shoulders with large brooches (fibulae), leaving the arms bare. The illustration clearly shows a two-layer silhouette with a bright blue border at the bottom and a zigzag pattern at the upper part, indicating that this garment was heavily decorated.
 
Chiton (Gr. Chiton)

The second woman is wearing a chiton—the main undergarment worn both by ancient Greeks (men and women) and later adopted by the Romans. The name chiton is of Semitic origin and simply means "linen fabric" or "shirt." The women's variant seen in the illustration (unlike the men's exomis, which leaves one shoulder bare) was usually sewn from two rectangular linen fabric pieces that were sewn or fastened with pins (buttons) along the entire shoulder line, forming a kind of sleeves.
 
The chiton was girded with a belt (zōnē) at the waist, and the excess fabric was pulled up over the belt to create folds (kolpos). The illustration depicts a very elegant, fluid white chiton with a luxurious blue border and tassels, which was most widespread during the Classical period of Greece and served as a comfortable everyday garment both at home and in public.
 
Himation (Gr. Himation)

The third figure wears a himation. This is a large, rectangular outer cloak that ancient Greeks (both men and women) wore over other garments as protection against weather conditions and as a demonstration of social status. The Romans later adapted this garment as the pallium. The name derives from the word meaning "garment" or "wrap."
 
The himation was draped in various ways. The illustration shows an extremely refined style typical of noble women or goddesses: one end of the fabric was thrown over the left shoulder onto the back, the remaining part was led under the right armpit across the chest and thrown over the left shoulder again, forming beautiful, symmetrical folds (so-called "cascades"). This image of the woman with a gold-colored tiara or headband indicates an aristocratic custom.
 
Epiblema (Gr. Epiblema)

The last, fourth woman is wearing an epiblema. Although this term is not as well-known as the previously discussed garments, it simply means an outer wrap or scarf used to cover the head or shoulders, which ancient Greek women frequently did, especially when going outside (according to aidōs—the concept of modesty). The word itself means "that which is thrown over."
 
Although the name is generic, the illustration shows a luxury fabric of a specific style that was most widespread among the wealthy or used as ritual/ceremonial attire. The woman is again wearing the main undergarment (the chiton), and over it—a large, heavy, ivory-colored fabric with a very prominent, dark red (purple) ornamented border. This wrap is not just a light scarf, but a large mantle with which she elegantly covers herself from prying eyes.
 
Rebellious Soul