The Panther

Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Entertainment

So the question remains… where do togas come from? The history is simple: togas originated in Ancient Rome as distinctive garments worn as proper attire. They were generally worn by men, and were usually considered the only appropriate dress to wear when not working outside. Senate members of the empire wore togas to define their role and importance, and would sometimes whiten them with chalk to make themselves more identifiable.

As time progressed, the garment changed. Over the years, the Greeks and Etruscans adopted the shirt like toga, making it much more bulky. Despite the different styles, togas were typically made of wool like material, and were draped over some form of tunic or loincloth. Because so many cultures have used the toga, it is arguable what exactly the original shape and size was, but the Romans used an extremely large single piece of cloth. Later color and decoration was embraced to identify special traits for those wearing the cloth. Stripes, solids, as well as patterns were all eventually worn for a special meaning.

The Roman toga continues to be popular and is described as a marvelous garment of style. Colleges and universities continue to embrace the magnificence of togas through hosted events and activities. Here at Prairie View A&M, Kappa Alpha Psi tried to incorporate the beauty and splendor of Roman togas through their infamous Toga III party on April 5. Men and women wore colorful and accessorized togas to be distinguishable from others. Students continue to build from ancient methods to create fun and creative togas that fix the modern day look without losing sight of the true meaning of toga.

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