Chiton (costume)

The chiton ( Greek: χίτων ), also Chlaina ( Greek: χλαίνα ) was immediately carried by men and women in the lower body dress in ancient Greece.

We distinguish the Doric and the Ionic chiton.

The Doric chiton is actually called as men robe Chlaina and consisted of a woolen cloth. It was designed so that it was folded at the left side of the body and closed there while it was open on the right and was held together at the shoulder by a tacking needle. The ionic chiton was, however, closed in linen and baggy, so you could pull it through the opening at the top.

At the time of Homer the general costume for the men of the Ionic chiton, the garment of women was, however, the peplos. During the Peloponnesian War, the Doric chiton came into use again. It was considered a hallmark of free men to carry it over both shoulders, while the chiton exomis of ordinary workers and slaves (Greek ἐξωμίς of ἐξω - "outside" and ὄμος - "shoulder" ) was only closed left, so the right arm free remained for the work.

The long chiton of the women were usually held together in the middle by a belt. Since the chiton for women was far longer than the body, a rollover, kolpos was called, which ran parallel to the lower edge of the chiton and under the breast or lower was, depending on how the belt was attached.

Over the chiton, himation which was worn.

In men, the Chlaina was thrown over the left shoulder and put together on the right shoulder with needles, the right arm remained free. They had besides the simple coat ( Haplois ) a double- folded jacket ( Diplax ), which was so great that he unfolded also could serve as a blanket.