When in Rome... Clothing a Roman Couple [CC]

[@rachelboersma-plug9482]

You have to wonder how many Classical Era Greek and Roman women used to feel sad about how their clothes never fit them the way the ones on the statues did, the way we do now about advertising and influencers.

[@NomadicElfling]

… I didn’t before, but now that you’ve pointed it out I’m *definitely* wondering 😅

[@OpusElenae]

Interesting question! I wonder a lot about how beauty is seen through the lens of community, and how the smaller communities of the past might have resulted in different beauty standards than a more global modern community.

[@samuelmarlow2934]

😢

[@jlop985]

Clothes were mostly made at home than bought off-the-rack in those times. It was expected that a "proper woman" would spend her time spinning, weaving, and sewing to make clothes for her family.

[@thegoodstewardhomestead9771]

Not that the thought is wrong but the comment also made me wonder if maybe we are trying to impose our own ideas of fashion and fit onto people in history... while what is suggested is possible, it is also possible that the people of the past had completely different ideas about it all together... just sharing my thoughts

[@Alienne4]

I got the giggles watching this because I'm an archaeologist/art historian by training and from what I remember from my graduate seminars, the mystery cult depicted in these frescoes is postulated to have had quite, hmmmm.... saucy initiation rites, hahaha! The Roman period is several centuries later than my area of expertise so I may be misremembering (and the mind of a young graduate student might cling to some details more ardently than others), but the quite... spicy... setting and activities around the wearing of that garb may explain why you had difficulty finding garments like that depicted elsewhere. It is a VERY cute outfit though, to be sure!! I've been binging your channel as my 'safe, happy place' for a couple of weeks now. Thank you so much for all that you do

[@OpusElenae]

What?! A mystery cult of Dionysus having spicy initiation rites? I would expect nothing less tbh. Thank you for the kind words, and if you’d like a community of good peeps, come hang out on the discord; it’s as safe and chill as I can make it.

[@nailguncrouch1017]

I always forget that everything wasn't all white all the time. Great colors.

[@OpusElenae]

Those darn marble statues (and the Victorians!)

[@lenabreijer1311]

There are some great museum plaster casts that have been painted to the original colours and they are awesome and gaudy and look like Disney gone wild.

[@emilia.s]

Not being allowed fabric looms is a mood. I am unwilling to go fight 2 medium sized dogs for access to my mothers 4 shaft 8 treadle loom. Otherwise I would have already made something from the pattern used in Scandinavia since the 12th century. This video gives me so many ideas I don't need. 😆 I need to finish all of my current sewing projects before I start something new.

[@OpusElenae]

Oh wow that’s so cool though!

[@blktauna]

In later antiquity some clavi were reused so indeed some were attached like we do in SCA builds. Hail Romani

[@OpusElenae]

Oh interesting! I didn’t know that!

[@Ashley_tipsyshades]

Yes yes yes, always more hot weather historybounding! It's so hard with so many England centric fashions when you have middle eastern summers!

[@OpusElenae]

It issssss and the last thing I want to do as a white girl is be appropriative

[@SingingSealRiana]

​@@OpusElenaekt is so weird, that greek is percived as free to grab by everyone but sewing a caftan would be appropriation...

[@rebeccacuthbertson1271]

LOVE THIS!! And the buttons instead of actual finicky clasps! Genius! I know basically nothing about Roman clothing but your stola might become the basis for yet ANOTHER summer sewing project because maxi dresses are life and that's basically what a stola is. Now to debate the merits of figuring out a waistband or just letting it be and wearing a belt if I want a waist. Gotta finish these shorts I'm almost done with first (then followed by a romper and jumpsuit I already bought materials for). Then! Then I can start thinking about this. Thank you for sharing!

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

go with the belt option, gives you the choice to have it or not.

[@OpusElenae]

Seconding the belt; it gives you more options!

[@Chibihugs]

I love that you did both because I want to make 2 of each just for me. I love the V cut on the stola and how the contrasting thread on the felling was a lovely accent.

[@OpusElenae]

Not gonna lie, I am probably gonna make myself a tunica or two as well

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

From Louisiana - the surface if the effing sun is more comfortable than the Gulf region, because it’s dry. The wall of swamp water called humidity is The Worst. Thinking about spending the rest of my life in linen tunics…

[@OpusElenae]

Oh gosh yes. Houston has a similar fishbowl effect and it feels so much hotter there because sweating does nothing.

[@canucknancy4257]

That was great. They would be so cool in the heat of summer. Love the way they co-ordinate but don't look too matchy matchy, as you said. Scritches to the indomitable Bran. Take care.

[@OpusElenae]

🐈‍⬛🖤

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

As someone who's constitutionally unable to cope with anything over about 20°C, your ability to not pass out in that kind of weather is very impressive to me! Really cool seeing Roman-era clothing getting some love - so much of costube space seems to gravitate towards the 1700s-1900s, which is cool but possibly a bit over-done?

[@OpusElenae]

It’s always fun to find new niches to explore!

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

@@OpusElenae And excuses to start yet another project.... 😂

[@SingingSealRiana]

For me the boundery is 25 c everything under and I will be cold without layers of wool, everything above makes me prone to fainting

[@anna_in_aotearoa3166]

@SingingSealRiana Hope you are living somewhere where your ideal temp comfort zone is the norm for a decent chunk of the year! 😊 Climate crisis has shifted our seasonal cycle so much, I'm struggling, sigh 😔

[@annawhiteley3128]

This aspiring Etruscan thanks you! Btw me & my partner live down near Big Bend National Park in deep far west Texas, and yes, it's similar to living in a blow-dryer here. Just heard it was 117 down at Rio Grande Village at the park over last weekend. 😖 OMG you have a pool! Jelly over here...

[@OpusElenae]

Oh gosh, please be safe! And yeah my little minnow loves to swim so that’s a non negotiable when we look for apartments.

[@sewwithmsjones1196]

I love the earrings worn with your Roman woman's dress. LOL!!

[@OpusElenae]

They're very fashion forward and also I was trying to finish my audiobooooook

[@HeraldHealer]

Daawwwww loved the cammeos from your blessed raven kitty helper.

[@OpusElenae]

He is a Ham.

[@mxheathcliff]

ahh thank you for this look into ancient roman garments! it's a time period mostly untouched by current costube, so a lovely fresh resource for anyone aiming to recreate outfits from this era!

[@OpusElenae]

I gotta be different!

[@Alex-Sews]

Where was Bran in that fantastic reveal meowing "remember thou art mortal" at both of... you? Fantastic video, and wonderful project results.

[@OpusElenae]

He was definitely behind the backdrop screaming because I put a backdrop up…

[@Alex-Sews]

@@OpusElenae *gasp* How DARE you?! A backdrop?! In HIS space?! As long as he didn't chew on it...

[@HouseHooligan]

Bran knows very well that it’s all about him! 🐈‍⬛ I love the simplicity of these garments; and a stola would be so comfortable for Ren Faire in July….

[@OpusElenae]

It’s sooooo comfortable.

[@CharredFibers]

Well this was timely. I have an event tomorrow where it's going to be in the 100's and I need something other than Norse to wear

[@OpusElenae]

Honestly, if you were willing to hem/fell with a machine, you could knock out either one in a matter of hours. Like probably under two.

[@OpusElenae]

Also, drink water!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

A wonderful idea: Roman for the summer Drinking the usual: Water &/or coconut water to hydrate Milk tea for fun (finishing up the darjeeling). Off to find something else, probably "English Breakfast" (did).

[@TheMagnoliaWitch]

KITTY~!! 😻

[@OpusElenae]

🐈‍⬛🖤

[@RahonaStream]

What an awesome idea! This looks perfect for hot weather

[@OpusElenae]

They’re so comfy

[@anaisabelsantos4661]

You are absolutelly right, this weather is perfect for a roman outfit, as it is so hot today I made ice-cream instead of tea.

[@OpusElenae]

Solid life choice; I approve!

[@alphie333]

Not my partner deciding on a Tuesday he wants to dress in accordance to our ren faires Greek and Roman theme on Saturday. Shout out to this video for saving my butt and helping us out!

[@OpusElenae]

Yesssss, you will be so comfy

[@RavenAttwoode]

I absolutely love that V neck stola! I have some newcomer tabbards to sew up, then I may just have to make one of these. 😁

[@OpusElenae]

They make up so quickly too. If I wasn’t filming I could make one in a day.

[@amayabronagh]

I was day dreaming of a floaty roman dress recently. Great Courtney's think alike 😅

[@OpusElenae]

NAME TWINSIES

[@dragonfly_closet]

These look great thanks for sharing

[@threadsandpurrs]

These outfits look so comfy. I love your color choices too I'm going to make iced Moroccan mint tea for the summer. Very refreshing

[@OpusElenae]

Aw yesssss I love Moroccan tea in the summer

[@mariamaychack6806]

love the silly reveal! so fun!

[@KathleenStidham]

I LOVE this! Thank you for making a rainy day ever so much better!

[@macstabby_j]

Great project- I loved the reveal. The Bran and moppet appearances always make my day too.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@SingingSealRiana]

Caftans are also great for way to hot summer

[@coreygilles847]

The colors are fantastic! And both look very comfortable for the heat. You look fantastic. Thank you for showing this!

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@FantasticalFolliesCostuming]

Yes, I love these! People don't do the "classical" era stuff too often and it's sad. Nice change. And that stola in particular is super cute...I feel like it can hold its own in modern day wear...especially if you live on the surface of the sun. On a related note...have you read the any of the Aven Cycle by Cass Morris?

[@OpusElenae]

Imperial Rome is my go-to summer wardrobe! And no I haven’t; I’ll have to check it out

[@MizzMaree7]

I feel your heat... I live in the Southern California desert and it's over 100 and a heat warning for the next few days. My thermostat is being wonky so I'm having to manually turn on the AC, but at least it works!! Lovely outfits!

[@OpusElenae]

Oooof. I lived in San Diego for a while and the ocean did a lot to mitigate the desert heat.

[@therealhellkitty5388]

It’s going to be 107* here in Austin tomorrow. I plan to stay inside and sew… hope the power stays on. Might make a stola from my next batch of linen from Mood.

[@OpusElenae]

Oh I didn’t leave the house all this past weekend, except to take the trash down, and that felt like dying the entire way

[@roseericson3828]

Ok really dumb question. Is the felled seam outside or inside. I have seen it both ways. Some Viking cloth are outside .???? Thanks

[@OpusElenae]

I fell mine to the inside!

[@roseericson3828]

@@OpusElenae thanks!

[@coldhands4799]

Just in time, Lilies war is in a massive heat wave right now

[@OpusElenae]

Yeah I hope everyone stays safe

[@coldhands4799]

@@OpusElenae a lot of activities like glassmaking and armored activities are pushed early and late in the day to help, and we’ve got a lake on site to swim in!

[@maryannhicks7829]

I love how your stola turned out. Your partners tunica is also awesome

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you! I like that we coordinate but don’t match

[@FlybyStardancer]

These came out so well! I love the colors.

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@megangreen7428]

Thank you for making this! Roman is the first garb I have made for the sca and I am contemplating embroidering a bit on it.

[@OpusElenae]

Go for it!

[@catherinejustcatherine1778]

Drinking water (supplemented with salty food, for an electrolyte boost in a heat wave) 💗🐝🌻 Beautiful video

[@MaridithSmith]

I love your sketches

[@OpusElenae]

Aw thank you! Nice to know that art degree is seeing use.

[@MaridithSmith]

@@OpusElenae between your sketches & tutorials I'm pretty sure there will be more Roman in the Outlands this summer. I shared across several pages in the Southwest US.🥰

[@paulamiller8386]

Loved this. I now need Roman garb in my wardrobe. Not sure how it will work in drizzly Lancashire but I am sure I can make it work. Romans were here for years. 😀

[@OpusElenae]

I would make a long sleeved tunica in linen or wool or even silk, and then a stola and palla in wool! I'm thinking about making an outfit like this too for those people who don't live ON THE SURFACE OF THE SUN

[@asilverfoxintasmania9940]

Now I know why I couldn't get my stola to sit properly I didn't put the seams down the front and back, that makes so much more sense! Sadly I moved to a much colder climate since then and don't wear my roman at all anymore. It may come out again when I travel north a bit though for our big SCA event here in Lochac.

[@OpusElenae]

I’m tempted to make one in wool for winter wear too, over a long sleeves tunica!

[@DAYBROK3]

i now live in a house a nice floofy panther, a lovely long furred black kitty named luna

[@OpusElenae]

Yay panthers!

[@sockgoblin2942]

It's Hot Roman Summer, y'all. See you at the colloseum. I hear they're filling it with water next time!

[@OpusElenae]

NAVAL GAMES OR GTFO

[@autumn7143]

Yes. It’s the time of melting when I step outside. Thus I tend to stay inside a lot of melting time. I don’t mind it much, but I’m not a fan of sweat in my eyes. This morning I finished off a bag of Picard from table top teas. One cup, then water in melting season. Texas has fun weather. If you don’t like it, just wait, it’ll change. Brand was being very wild in this video. He’s being a Velcro cat. That’s not always the case with him. My dog, is always Velcro dog. I love your style of beating the heat. Very comfy looking.

[@OpusElenae]

Oooo Picard is a good choice!

[@autumn7143]

It was delicious. So was the butter pecan. I’m going to need more.

[@rogueally7993]

I never understand how I can see people in full Elizabethan or Landsknecht at summer events. I do early Anglo-Saxon with no shame, although I may go even earlier now to Britannia and try your methods. A question about using handkerchief linen. I usually use a light medium weight or light weight linen for my peplos. The few times I’ve tried handkerchief linen, you could see anything underneath-underwear, pubic hair, nipples, clearly. Was it because I was using red (my favorite color), or are there different handkerchief weights and I somehow got the lightest?

[@OpusElenae]

I am using the IL020, 3.7oz weight from Fabrics Store. I haven’t had any color but the white be that see-through, but your mileage and modesty may vary.

[@rogueally7993]

@@OpusElenae I’m pretty sure my bright red is IL20 as well. It’s…well, yeah, anything shadowy on my body is definitely visible. Usually I throw on a short sleeve underdress in the same weight, tan, orange, or yellow. (I have a warm color palette obsession.)

[@DebbieGring]

Love these outfits! I'm thinking about hot humid NW Ohio summers and something cool and light to put on after gardening or while spinning! I do have a question for you, whilst sewing on the machine, what type of thread do you use? Thanks!!

[@OpusElenae]

Whatever I can snag at the local craft store that matches; usually coats and Clark or gutermann.

[@DebbieGring]

@@OpusElenae Thank you!

[@rogueally7993]

I second Gutterman for sewing linen. Personally I prefer 100% cotton thread. Some people complain about it breaking during sewing, but I’ve never had that issue.

[@bossofbeads3434]

This is so cool! I just finished making and editing a video of my own Stola endevors!

[@OpusElenae]

Oh fantastic!

[@mrsgingernoisette]

Bless u!

[@amkrausejr]

If one wasn’t using a former Stola to make this, how many yards would I need? I just started a new Roman Merchant persona. Plus moved to New Orleans. Lol I need this type of garb!

[@OpusElenae]

However long your shoulder to knee measurement is, times two.

[@stevezytveld6585]

Well done and very cute. Stay cool down there on the surface of the sun... - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@OpusElenae]

Thank you!

[@sewmad1400]

Just wanted to pop in and say hi Cathy (& accidentally Steve). It’s been a while since I’ve run into you via ye olde KZbin comments. 😊

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@sewmad1400 Hey and Hello. Hope you're doing well.

[@moegirl76]

Is there a blog with a pattern for the lady dress? I have needs!

[@OpusElenae]

Nope, I haven’t done a post about it. Each panel is roughly the width of my bust measurement, so the whole outfit is twice that. The construction is pretty evident in the video.

[@amywetzel9223]

Is that a stealth Laurel bead I spot there?

[@OpusElenae]

It sure is! I’m such a ne’er do well; I’m in stealth mode a lot at events because I cannot be bothered

[@amywetzel9223]

@@OpusElenae I find that most fun peers are like that - only dress up for court.

[@amkrausejr]

Hi, doing research on this style of dress for an A&S competition. It’s not common in Roman times and having a hard time finding any research material other than the actual Fresca from the Villa dei Misteri. Did you use any other research to determine the front/back seam? Thanks

[@OpusElenae]

There really isn’t much evidence for it. I have two other sources that are more ambiguous than the Mystery fresco. It’s honestly possible that it’s the side-seam style with the front swag pulled sharply down or folded into a V. The seams are completely speculative; they’re the easiest way to get a pronounced V without fuss.

[@ledonnawallace2062]

Your seam ripping technique is amazing. Or is it a magic seam ripper. 😊

[@OpusElenae]

My partner made it for me, and it is definitely magical!

[@terminator_t404]

Будь здорова😂

[@FennecTheRabbit]

This brought me much joy on a day I was feeling very sad and lonely. I have been meaning to make a stola (like bought fabric and it is looking at me....) I do have a question, do you have a link for your source image? I was trying to find it today and was struggling (my google skills hath failed me!)

[@OpusElenae]

Yup! It’s the Dionysian Frieze on the north wall (panel 2 in this link): www.art-and-archaeology.com/timelines/rome/empire/vm/villaofthemysteries.html

[@FennecTheRabbit]

@@OpusElenae Thank you so much!

[@michaelacaruso3676]

For the shoulders you gathered front to back together and sewed them? sorry if that’s a silly question, new to sewing and trying to find summer SCA clothing for Pennsic!! Also what was that green thing you draped over? I have a failed chiton and may want to try wearing it with that on top haha

[@OpusElenae]

I whip stitched them together and then gathered them; it’s easier in that order. The green drape is a short palla; usually they’re long enough to be a veil and wrap, but I use shorter rectangles pinned at the corner to drape over one shoulder to get the look while still being functional.

[@tiryaclearsong421]

I need to make something like this. I'm melting right now in Tennessee and summer has barely started. How do you prefer to wear your hair in this weather? I have mid thigh length and buns are starting to get a bit toasty on my head and neck. Maybe I'm just forming them too low.

[@OpusElenae]

I do a bun at the back of my neck, and then do a long scarf tied at the nap of me neck and the ends of the scarf wrapped around my bun.

[@annalillianwade4906]

Is there a specific reason you don't iron your fabric before cutting?

[@OpusElenae]

Sometimes I do, sometimes not. If I’m ripping fabric (like I did with the blue), I don’t need to iron it for a straight cut.

[@dcrd88]

Ho Courtney! The tunic Is 2 pieces? Or 1 piece

[@OpusElenae]

The tunic is two pieces sewn together at the shoulders and sides. You should easily make it from one piece folded in half at the shoulder, you’d just have to cut and hem the neck slit.

[@marysmithmarysmith736]

I really need some help figuring out what was worn in Greece in the late medieval era

[@OpusElenae]

You may have more luck using “late Byzantine” and “early ottoman” as search terms.

[@HosCreates]

I wounder did women wear and under tunic under their stolla or did you decided to opt out of an additional hot layer?

[@OpusElenae]

Many women did wear an underlayer. The reference for this outfit was bare armed so I went without. And also this is my summer fit and I didn’t want to have on an extra layer in 110° Texas heat.

[@HO-bndk]

If it's so hot, then why not do ancient Egyptian? Linen tube dress for ladies and pleated linen kilt and head cloth for the men. Eyeshadow and grass collars (for both).

[@OpusElenae]

Mostly because Egypt has been colonized and appropriated from enough, and I’m personally not interested in perpetuating it. Rome is fair game.