Anna Plentyn – SCA Iowa Garb Guide

Title	27 CE Female Roman Chiton and Palla
Entry #	GGB2021.0001
Alternate Names	Chiton, Palla
Year	270CE
Time range	27 – 400 CE
Era	Roman Empire
Gender	Female
region	Europe
Countries/cultures	Europe
Maker	Anna Plentyn
Difficulty	1
Confidence	Image Examples

Intro:

This consists of one piece or two pieces of fabric sewn at the sides and tacked at the top to form the tunic like chiton and a piece of fabric wrapped around as the palla. These are great beginner garb for hot weather

Description:

These are light and cool and fast to make. The chiton is very much like a tunic. There are versions done with a single piece of fabric folded and tacked along to the top in a number of places or it can be done as two large rectangles of fabric that are sewn down the sides and tacked a few places along the top. Using a rope it can be cinched in at the waist. The palla can just be wrapped around and held. Sandals that work to complete the outfit can be found in modern shoe stores. Romans also had a variety of jewelry that can be made or purchased from retailers selling recreations or by modifying some modern costume jewelry.

Inspiration Images

Common Materials

Fabrics:
- Most lower class garments in roman times were wool, but finding the right weights and weaves of wool now is hard.
- Upper classes would have some silks.
Ornamentation:

Effective Substitutions

Fabrics:
- Avoid polyester, polyester blends.
- Cottons can work.
- Linens are good.
- Very light and fine wools may be very accurate, but harder to find.
Ornamentation:

Ensemble Components