Clothing in the Holy Land during Roman times
typically consisted of:
For Men
- The Inner Tunic - a long piece of plain
cotton or linen cloth as an undergarment for the upper
body, but sometimes reaching all the way down to the
ankles. It was usually not worn when the weather was very
warm.
- The Tunic-coat, or Ketonet - a
shirt-like garment worn over the inner tunic in cool
weather, or next to the body without the inner tunic when
warm. It usually had long sleeves and extended down to
the ankles.
- The Belt, or Girdle - made of leather,
from 2 to 6 inches wide, sometimes with a shoulder strap
when heavier articles were being carried from it.
- The Cloke, or Mantle - a robe worn over
all of the other items of clothing as an outer garment
for warmth and appearance.
- The Headdress - worn chiefly as a
protection against the sun. The Hebrew version could,
depending upon circumstances, be a cap, a turban, or a
head scarf.
- Shoes or Sandals - shoes were made from
soft leather, sandals from harder leather.
For Women
- The Inner Tunic - a long garment reaching
all the way down to the ankles. It was usually of a finer
quality cotton, linen or silk.
- The Outer Tunic - a full-length garment,
again of finer quality than the men's version, and almost
always enhanced with fine needlework and/or multicolor
threads.
- The Belt, or Girdle - made of colorful
silk or wool, sometimes with a fringe from the waist
nearly to the ankles.
- The Cloke - warm and durable for
protection against cool weather, and usually more
intricate.
- The Headdress - a lighter and finer
quality than the men's version, and always more colorful.
Women also usually had elaborate plaiting or other
arrangement of their hair, which tended to be long.
- Shoes or Sandals - shoes were made from
soft leather, sandals from harder leather.