Biblical Clothing

Dead Chicken Hats Biblical Greek Roman Medieval Tudor Stuart Character Glossary Gallery Free Patterns Free Leaflets Videos and Tutorials - NEW! Why The Fish? Fun Stuff Real Chicken Hut About Us About our Costumes Garment Care Fabric & Construction Refunds and Returns Hiring We Don't Sell That, But... Shipping Privacy Policies & Terms Contact Us See-Saw Maths Just What Is A Dead Chicken Hat, Anyway? .	Biblical costumes will serve for many Old and New Testament characters. Costumes changed very slowly over the millennia before Christ and were chiefly determined by practicality and the availabiliy of materials. This shepherd costume is suitable for any person living a 'rough' life and would work well for John the Baptist or for Elijah in his 'Ravens' period. It comprises an unfinished undergarment, a rough (very distressd) slit-neck mantle, a sacking throw, head wrap, rope belt and stone pouch.
		The New Testament period is roughly Bronze Age and co-exists with the Roman Empire. Clothes were generally loose and unfitted. Seams, if any, were straight and as few as possible. There were many outside influences on clothing from trade with other parts of the Empire. This Merchant made a good living and dressed well. He is wearing a long-sleeved undergarment, a bordered mantle with girdle and matching pouch. He is wearing traditional a headscarf. Many people carried staffs, but you'll have to raid your local stick-gathering emporium for that.
	Those wanting to ingratiate themselves with their rulers may have worn Romaised dress. Tax-collectors, for example, worked for the Romans on a franchise basis. They were dispised by their fellow Jews and may have tried to worm their ways into the favour of their bosses. Others demonstrated their 'other'ness from the pagan Romans by wearing very traditional dress. Tassels were very popular. Women ususally wore blue. There were also Greek influences on clothing, although a cloak is a cloak is a cloak and was universally worn. The Jewish people, however, wore more than this Greek youth!
		However, in present times, these costumes are often worn by people who are used to central heating and are standing outside in December far from the Equator. Therefore bear in mind that the look is for lots of layers. Make sure there is room for a couple of t-shirts under your robes, although you must ensure that they don't show! Most costumes have side slits for walking, so make sure trousers worn underneath are rolled well up, or wear long shorts.

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