On the body Byzantine dress

mosaic san vitale church in ravenna. few later emperors dress in mosaic justinian here, though dress far richer @ every point attendants. , have tablion diagonally across torsos. bishop wore style of dress, close modern church vestments, of time. note appears shoes , socks.

in stages of byzantine empire traditional roman toga still used formal or official dress. justinian s time had been replaced tunica, or long chiton, both sexes, on upper classes wore other garments, dalmatica (dalmatic), heavier , shorter type of tunica, again worn both sexes, men. hems curve down sharp point. scaramangion riding-coat of persian origin, opening down front , coming mid-thigh, although these recorded being worn emperors, when seem become longer. in general, except military , presumably riding-dress, men of higher status, , women, had clothes came down ankles, or so. women wore top layer of stola, rich in brocade. of these, except stola, might belted or not. terms dress confusing, , identification of name particular pictured item had, or design relates particular documentary reference, rare, outside court.

the chlamys, semicircular cloak fastened right shoulder continued throughout period. length fell hips or far ankles, longer version commonly worn in ancient greece; longer version called paludamentum. courtiers, emperor justinian wears one, huge brooch, in ravenna mosaics. on each straight edge men of senatorial class had tablion, lozenge shaped coloured panel across chest or midriff (at front), used show further rank of wearer colour or type of embroidery , jewels used (compare of justinian , courtiers). theodosius , co-emperors shown in 388 theirs @ knee level in missorium of theodosius of 387, on next decades tablion can seen move higher on chlamys, example in ivories of 413-414. paragauda or border of thick cloth, including gold, indicator of rank. oblong cloak worn, military , ordinary people; not court occasions. cloaks pinned on right shoulder ease of movement, , access sword.

leggings , hose worn, not prominent in depictions of wealthy; associated barbarians, whether european or persian. basic clothes appear have been surprisingly expensive poor. manual workers, slaves, shown continuing wear, @ least in summer, basic roman slip costume 2 rectangles sewn @ shoulders , below arm. others, when engaged in activity, shown sides of tunic tied waist ease of movement.