Tunic on History by Rana Ardhita

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

The application and definition of the tunic has changed slightly over the years as it is primarily a women's garment and it has a few rather distinct features. These tops are generally low cut and shaped a bit differently than your average t-shirt, and they will have a sash that holds them in place. The idea behind the tunic is to be form fitting without actually hugging the body.

There are a few different types of tunics that women should be aware of, as adding them to their wardrobe would be extremely beneficial. The most common tunic is composed of polyester and will easily hug the body. If such a top were to use an elastic material, the sash would not be needed though it is often added for decorative purposes.

But do you know tunic has gone a long way in the history of civilization?

GOTHIC
One of the popular medieval costumes for women was the Gothic corset. The Gothic corset complimented the female body by giving it an hourglass shape. It was a common Victorian and medieval costume for women. Its prominence is till intact today. However the latest trend of Gothic corset is not like the ones worn during the Victorian and medieval period but is soft and convenient. There are different types of Gothic outfits like light natural fiber shirts with ruffles, the loose fit and frilly pirate shirt with drooping shoulders, dark trousers short in length and large dark hats etc that went with various accessories like black umbrellas, silver ornaments etc. latest trend of Gothic shirts and other dresses changes with the passage of time.

Though the Gothic history period lasted from 1200 AD to 1450 AD it can be divided into two periods namely the early period (1200-1350) and the late period (1350-1450) with each period having different styles. The early period outfits had simpler cuts and looked sophisticated and graceful. During the late period styles started changing rapidly.

ROMAN
The toga was a popular kind of dress and was standard for Romans. The Romans also wore clothes according to their status in the society. The toga was a long garment which was like a sash and was made out of wool. It was like a tunic for the Romans. The toga was also worn by magistrates and was mostly plain white in color. Even scholars and teachers wore them. Some togas had a purple stripe on them.

The stola was very similar to the toga and was like a blanket that needed to be wrapped around the body. This was usually wrapped around another piece of clothing called tunica. Usually girls and women wore tunic with a stola wrapped around it.

Women's clothes were made of light materials and in a variety of colors, which set them apart from men's clothes. Also, unlike men's dress, women's clothes changed little. The primary garment was the stola, a long tunic with full sleeves. It was made from wool, cotton or linen, with the more expensive designs made from silk. The stola was worn with a girdle known as cingulum and a wide belt, known as a succinda. With the help of these, women achieved to create a double-bloused effect. Under the stola women wore a bust bodice - the strophium, and a sleeveless shift dress - the subucula.

Roman matrons wore wide tunics, pleated into tiny folds, which were held together at the shoulder by a series of buttons along the sleeve.

Women's clothing was meant to conceal the body and hide the gender. It consisted of numerous layers starting by a tight-fitting chemise that fell to the ankle. The tunic worn on top could be either fitted or girded just above or at waist. It was shorter than the chemise underneath and so it revealed it. Other staples in the women's' wardrobe were the stola, the palla, and a long veil, which fell behind the head, or was folded forward and draped over the arm.

Theodora's rich silk dresses were enhanced with precious stones and lavish gold embroidery. She wore ropes of pearls, emeralds, and rubies, and for ceremonial purposes a heavy crown with pearls and emeralds that cascaded down to her chest.

In the early ages of the empire, byzantine clothing copied Roman. Men wore a tight-fitting white tunic with long sleeves, which reached either the ankles or the knees. Over this undergarment they wore the dalmatika, a red and gold tunic with long wide sleeves. Men's wardrobe included also the hosa, a woolen or fabric hose, the bracoor breeches, which later on were replaced by pants or drawers, the Greeks chlamys, that they wore with the tablion, a rectangular piece of cloth inset at waist height, and the Roman pallium, which shared only the name with its predecessor.

The toga was initially worn by most, but from the 6th century onward became the distinctive mark of consuls. It was replaced by the cloak, which could be found in three styles: a rectangle piece of fabric, which was worn wrapped around the shoulders; a semicircular cape, which was also fastened at the shoulder; and the circular cape, which was sewn up the front and had an opening for the head.

Then as time went by, it grows mainly on North Africa and Arabian, and known as today's tunic

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