Roman Clothing Materials

• The Romans wore garments made from Wool, Linen, Cotton and Silk.

Wool

• Wool came from Italy, and the finest wool came from Calabria, Apulia and particularly Tarentum. Most woolen garments were made from undyed wool in its natural colour.
• Colours were in natural undyed wool: grey and white wool came from Modena (Mutina), Reddish Brown wool came from Apulia, dark grey wool came from Liguria, and pale yellow wool came from Baetica.
• The Roman Toga was made from wool, but this was a heavy Garment for formal occasions. The borders and stripes were coloured with a purple dye that faded. The Emperor’s Toga was dyed with Tyrian Purple made from Murex.
• The Tunic was worn most of the time, which for the majority of Romans were made of wool. The more expensive Tunics were made from linen.
• Britannia was famous for a luxury woolen cape, the Birus Britannicus.

Linen

• Linen was made from flax grown in Italy, but the best linen came from Egypt. It was used in undergarments and as well as finer men and women’s Tunics.

Cotton

• Cotton came from India. Roman women wore the Stola which could be made from cotton, linen or wool.

Silk

• Silk from China and was usually woven into a linen garment, rather than be a garment of pure Silk.