Buzz
A toga is essential for those who often attend college events in the U.S., particularly the fun and lively homecoming or costume festivals. Although a bed sheet isn't the ideal fabric for making a toga, it can certainly be repurposed creatively, and there's no reason you can't fashion one on the spot if you're in a rush.
Steps
Basic Toga
Hold the upper corner of the sheet. Leave about 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) of fabric. Drape it over your shoulder at the front, securing it in place.
Neatly drape the sheet across your chest. Tuck it under your opposite arm (right side).
Adjust the length as needed. If the toga is too long for you, fold one edge over by about 6 inches or so, and try again. Keep adjusting until you achieve the desired length, approximately at knee height.
Wrap the toga around your back. Loop it under your left arm and wrap it again across the front of your chest.
Lift the second corner. After wrapping it around your chest, loop it under your right arm a second time and around your back, lifting the second corner to the middle of your back. Secure the ends using pins, brooches, or simply tie a knot.
Secure the layers tightly. Use safety pins to secure the toga and hide them inside the fabric. Try it on to ensure the pins are secure and comfortable.
Head to the party and show off how stunning your toga looks!
Sari-style Toga
Hold one corner of the sheet and place it at your left hip. It should cover the front of your body, not the back.
Wrap the fabric around your waist to create a skirt. Overlap it with the first corner by about 4 inches.
Secure it with pins. It should fit snugly and safely, forming a waist belt.
Wrap the remaining fabric over your right shoulder.
Greek Women's Tunic
Determine the length of your toga. It’s best to use a double layer of fabric, though a single large piece can work as well (especially if you're tall). Fold the fabric vertically until it reaches the desired length for the skirt. For a shorter toga, fold it in half. For a longer toga, fold down about 1 cm to 3 cm from the top.
Fold the fabric in half again. This will ensure one half covers the back of your body, and the other half covers the front. The folded part should be on top and outside of the remaining fabric.
Pin the fabric securely at the shoulder. Pin each side of the fabric at the shoulder, attaching the front portion to the back at the point where your clavicle meets your shoulder. You can use brooches or 5mm buttons (similar to political campaign pins) for this purpose.
Slip your arm through the opening. An opening is created when you pin together the edges where the front and back fabric meet. Slide your arm through this gap.
Tighten the waist area. Use a belt, ribbon, or sash that fits snugly to cinch the waist. Make sure to overlap the edges a bit before tying to ensure that no skin is exposed.
Enjoy your toga! Have fun telling everyone that you're wearing an ancient Greek dress... if you're actually wearing it.
Tips
- Use a double layer of fabric if possible. This will create the most authentic and elegant toga dress.
- If you're left-handed, you might prefer to drape the fabric over your right shoulder as it will feel more natural.
- Men don't need to cover much, and their togas should only reach the knee or slightly above. You can make your toga looser if you'd like – no need for safety pins!
- Women don’t typically wear ancient Roman/Greek togas, but for a costume, it works perfectly. After all, it’s a costume party, and outdated fashion is no big deal!
- If you're going out in public, make sure the toga is secured properly. You definitely don’t want it falling off!
- A fabric with a decorative pattern can add a touch of sophistication, especially if you want to stand out as more stylish than others.
Warning
- Make sure you don’t step on it.
- Ensure the fabric is clean before use. You definitely don't want any unpleasant odors.
- Be cautious, as the toga might not cover all the areas you intend to cover (it could slip off).
What You'll Need
- Fabric (Double fabric is recommended)
- Pins (Optional)
