Greek Hairstyle

Greek Coiffure (Hairstyle)

The hair could be curled on the forehead and at the sides or parted in

the centre and drawn back in waves to a chignon at the nape. The word

chignon refers to a manner of twisting the hair into a knot either at

the nape or nearer the crown of the head.

Greek women also wore a fillet round the brow and tucked the back hair

into this. Hair was fasted by ivory or gold pins *PIC to come* Many

women wore wigs or false hair added to their own to alter the shape of

the coiffure; they also dyed their hair and decorated it with flowers,

jewels, stephanes (?), and bands of material.

Greek clothes were very easy to make and to put on. They were usually just made from a single piece of rectangular material, with no special shaping and very little sewing. On this page you can find out how to make clothes like the Greeks wore.

The most common piece of clothing worn by men and women was like a loose-fitting tunic, It had various names, but the most usual are peplos and chiton. Over this a heavier tunic or cloak could also be worn; the cloak was called a himation.

The peplos was long and was worn only by women. To make your own peplos:

1. Take a large piece of material (like an old sheet). Its length has to be your height plus at least 18", and when you fold it in half it should reach from elbow to elbow. Fold over the top 18 " or so.

2. Wrap it round you, with one side open. Fasten it at the shoulders with safety-pins or brooches.

3. Tie a belt round your waist. Pull the extra material up so that it hangs over the belt and so that you don't trip up!