Marjorie & C. H. B.Quennell, Everyday Things in Archaic Greece (London: B. T. Batsford, 1931).
There have been many, many requests regarding suitable fabrics, length, colour etc etc. Not being a classics scholar I am not able to give an answer that is perfectly accurate. However, I’ll give you some information I have from the book and have found on the internet:
Early Dorian Chitons were not sewn up along the sides - the fabric was pulled out and pouched over the waist girdle (belt). Later chitons were sewn up at the sides. The earliest garments were made of wool which would look much ‘bunchier’ than the drawings. A home woven piece of fabric would have been about 6ft wide and 11ft long. (Approx. 1.8metres x 3.3m). Later, linen, crinkly linen (a lightweight linen) and muslin type fabrics were used, especially in the Ionian Chiton. These were sometimes striped, patterned and had fringes added. Saffron and red were favourite colours. A slip was sometimes worn underneath the Ionian Chiton.
“Doric chitons were made from fabric which was the height of the wearer, plus 12 inches (approx 30cm). The width was that of the full open arm span. The fabric was folded as shown in the chiton pattern picture shown right. A is pinned to A and B is pinned to B. The open sides are wrapped around each other and a girdle tied at the waistline with the loose fabric of C at the same level. The gap between B and the side fold will drape when in fabric and become the second armhole.” From fashion-era.com
blakekathryn
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