As a result, the Athenian seldom troubles about his "spring" or
"winter" suit. His simple woolen garments wear a very long time;
and they have often been slowly and laboriously spun and woven by
his wife and her slave girls. Of course even a poor man will try
to have a few changes of raiment,--something solid and coarse for
every day, something of finer wool and gayer color for public and
private festivals. The rich man will have a far larger wardrobe,
and will pride himself on not being frequently seen in the same
dress; yet even his outfit will seem very meager to the dandies of
a later age.


34. the Masculine Chiton, Himation, and Chlamya.--The essential
garments of an Athenian man are only two--the CHITON and the HIMATION.
The chiton may be briefly described as an oblong of woolen cloth
large enough to wrap around the body somewhat closely, from the
neck down to just above the knees. The side left open is fastened
by fibule--elegantly wrought pins perhaps of silver or gold; in the
closed side there is a slit for the arm. There is a girdle, and,
if one wishes, the skirt of the chiton may be pulled up through it,
and allowed to hang down in front, giving the effect of a blouse.
The man of prompt action, the soldier, traveler, worker, is "well
girded,"--his chiton is drawn high, but the deliberate old gentleman
who parades the Agora, discussing poetry or statecraft, has his
chiton falling almost to a trailing length. Only occasionally short
sleeves were added to this very simple garment; they are considered
effeminate, and are not esteemed. If one's arms get cold, one can
protect them by pulling up the skirt, and wrapping the arms in the
blouse thus created.