Alternative clothing

[sharpdressedscot]

Don't forget the sagum, the war cloak. Basically a rectangular piece of cloth fastened at the corners. It's worn over the shoulders and above armor...

I think we're getting a bit off topic.

[Pleater]

Ah now - I wasn't going to mention the saggum as it is Gallic in origin, fastened with a pin or thorn rather than a fibula, and striped.

To put on the saggum meant to go to war.

On Trajan's column there are almost 70 soldiers wearing the saggum, most of the other cloaked soldiers are wearing the paenula.

Comfortable practical clothing is never absolutely out of fashion, and impractical fashions soon vanish, or are only seen on certain rare occasions.

[sharpdressedscot]

Ah now - I wasn't going to mention the saggum as it is Gallic in origin, fastened with a pin or thorn rather than a fibula, and striped.

To put on the saggum meant to go to war.

On Trajan's column there are almost 70 soldiers wearing the saggum, most of the other cloaked soldiers are wearing the paenula.

Comfortable practical clothing is never absolutely out of fashion, and impractical fashions soon vanish, or are only seen on certain rare occasions.

The paenula? Is that the bigger one?

[Pleater]

Should I call the class to order yet?

The paenula is probably Etruscan from maybe the 4th century BC, and is a hooded bell shaped weatherproof garment of leather or wool - presumably with the lanolin in or felted. It was fairly ubiquitous being worn by civilian and military alike.

Despite attempts to ban it, it eventually replaced the toga, though it gradually evolved into a more poncho like garment, being lengthened and becoming the casula, from which came the name cagoulle and the garment which is the liturgical chasuble.