Fashion is not just for practicality and modesty; it is also used for numerous reasons like self-expression, creativity, status, power, psychology, and even evolution. Additionally, fashion is a part of history, allowing us to see how far we have come as a human race, and it can give us glimpses of how Earth has changed.
Change: the gradual development of something, especially from simple to a more complex form. Fashion changes over time in an eon, millennia, century, decade, or even daily. Here are some ancient examples from different civilizations across distinct time periods!
Ancient World/Before Common Era and/or First Century
Let’s begin with the earliest of humankind, the prehistoric (meaning: relating to the period before written records). Back then, clothing and fashion were used mainly for practicality and warmth, depending on the environment early humans inhabited. They were not primarily for individuality or status, as they often are today. Most of the clothes were made from animal skins or hides and furs that the humans hunted. If not made from animal skins, the clothing was made from the Earth around them, like plants and natural fibers. Moreover, Homo Neanderthals, a close human ancestor, used bone and ivory awls or needles to tailor their clothing to fit their needs and create tight, defined garments.
Fast forward to the world’s first civilization, ancient Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The ideal garment in Sumer (the southern part of Mesopotamia) was the Kaunakes, a sheepskin or wool androgynous skirt that would wrap around the waist and end at the ankles or knees, fastened by durable strands of fabric. Since natural fabric is degradable, the only evidence of these articles of clothing is found in sculptures, mosaics, and museums.
First Century (One C.E. to 100 C.E.)
Ancient Rome: The Greeks influenced not only Roman architecture and ways of life but specially fashion as well. They also drew inspiration from the territories they conquered, gaining different styles, materials, and new methods of making textiles. For example, because of the conquered territories, new trading ports opened, which granted them access to materials like cotton from India, embroidery, fringes, and silk from East Asia.
Furthermore, the most famous item from the Roman Empire is the Toga, which originated from the male citizens of Greece; their selective fashion choices inspired the Romans for this garment. Commonly made from wool, the Toga was made of cloth cut into semi-circular shapes.
Additionally, the cloth was secured around the midpoint of the body. The rest of the fabric was then wrapped over the shoulder, passed around the back, and draped twice over the left arm. Different patterns, colors, and overall styles of the Toga possess various meanings.
- Dark colors: worn during the mourning period.
- White: political, usually for elections. Undyed, with a narrow purple stripe: Equestrians and male children of the wealthy. Wide purple stripes: senators and other high-ranking, mainly political, officials.
- Fully purple: worn only by the emperors.
In brief, fashion can show us how society functions, human development, and industrialization or technology. Fashion is more than just simple clothing; it is a statement, symbol, and a tiny piece of new or old history.
