Togas are a popular part of toga parties and those with a Greek or Roman theme. While it will always be possible to wear the traditional men's toga, you could achieve a more flattering look with a women's toga. The main difference is how you wrap and position it - a slimmer, slimmer look overall will be better. The over the shoulder toga is the most popular version, but you can create a few styling alternatives as well. Once you've got the basic look, you can add accessories like gold laurels, belts, and gladiator sandals!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Put a Robe on the Man
Step 1. Fold a plain white sheet in half lengthwise
In general, the toga should extend from just below the armpits to the knees. However, you can try even the heels if you want something more elegant or make it shorter for a more sensual style.
- Make sure you fold the long edge down, not the short edge. It would be nice if the sheet is narrower, not shorter.
- Wear a white boxer or sleeveless top and white shorts under your gown for extra coverage.
- If you don't have a sheet, cut a 35-by-75-inch (90-by-190-cm) rectangle of fabric, then hem the edges.
Step 2. Hold the sheet behind you, with one corner over your left shoulder
Use your left hand to hold the left corner about 12 inches (30 cm) above your left shoulder. Hold the rest of the sheet in your right hand.
If you folded the sheet to make it shorter, make sure the folded part is inside, against your body. It would not be good to be visible
Step 3. Wrap the sheet around yourself and face your right shoulder
Bring the right corner of the sheet in front of your torso, heading to the left. Pull it behind you so that it crosses your back to complete the wrap. Stop when you get to the front of the right shoulder.
Step 4. Tighten the sheet, then tie the right corner to the left with a double knot
The back of the sheet should rest on or under your shoulder blades. The right side of the sheet should rest just below the right armpit.
- If you're wearing a tank top, use that as a guide for the back of the sheet.
- Wrap the sheet tight enough so it doesn't fall off, but not so tight that you can't walk.
Step 5. Tuck the ends of the knot below the shoulder for the best look
Twist the ends of the knot and make thin ropes, then tuck them under the knotted part of the shoulder. In this way, they will not be visible.
If the ends are too short to thread into strings, tuck them under the knot and shoulder straps as best you can
Step 6. Wrap a gold cord around the waist 2-3 times to make a belt
Cut a piece of gold cord long enough to wrap around your waist 4-5 times. Center it behind the back, then cross the ends at the front of the waist. Wrap the ends around your torso towards your back and then work your way back to the front. Knot them until they are secure and tie them in a double knot at the front.
- You don't have to knot the cord exactly this way, but the crossover will create a nice effect.
- Choose a string that is the thickness of a pencil or pencil. You can use a leather one.
- If you don't want to wear a belt with the gown, use safety pins to secure the inner layer of fabric to the outer layer. Do it on the right and left side.
- Another alternative is to wrap a golden chain around the waist as a belt.
Step 7. Adjust the front panel so that it covers your chest
The left side of the front panel will probably cover your left chest, but the right side could be lopsided. Gently tuck in the right side of the panel so that it covers your right chest.
- You may need to adjust the panel under the belt as well, especially if you adjusted the belt correctly. It has to be aligned with the panel above the belt.
- It would be nice to adjust the robe after you've added the belt because it will be easier to do when the fabric is snug.
Method 2 of 3: Making a Robe with a Halter Top
Step 1. Fold a solid colored sheet in half across the width
White is the most identifiable color for robes, but you can try ivory, maroon, or green as well. Make sure it's only one color!
- Short edges do not have to match. If you want a longer gown, you can fold it so that one edge is longer than the other.
- The toga will start under the armpits and stay anywhere you want. Longer styles that go past the knees work best for this version.
Step 2. Hold the left corner of the sheet at the front of the left shoulder
You will wrap the sheet around your torso like a towel, but you will need the corner so that you can knot the right corner with it.
Having the corner level with the top of the shoulder will suffice. You can always adjust it later
Step 3. Wrap the sheet around you and end in front of the right shoulder
The right corner needs to be long enough so that you can pull it up behind the neck and in the left direction. If the right corner isn't long enough, start over. This time, fold the sheet lengthwise until you get the size you want.
- If you folded the sheet in half lengthwise, you will need to wrap it 2-3 times around your torso.
- Wrap the sheet tightly so that it stays up, but not so tight that you can't walk back and forth.
- Consider leaving 3 feet (90 cm) of material in the right corner.
Step 4. Twist the right corner and form a rope
Do not get too carried away, it would not be good for you to pile up the fabric that you already have wrapped. If you want, you can tie a scrunchy or elastic band around the sheet on the right shoulder first, then twist whatever remains into a string.
The scrunchie or elastic band will work to stop the fabric. You can cover it later with a gold pin that looks Roman or Greek, or a medallion
Step 5. Bring the rope behind your neck and knot it in the left corner
A tight double knot will be fine here, but you can overlap the corners and secure them with safety pins as well.
Adjust the string as necessary so that it supports the robe, but not so much that it is uncomfortable
Step 6. Tuck the knot under the wrapped fabric
Pull the sheet you already have wrapped up a bit so that it covers the knot. Make sure the two ends of the knot are not visible.
If you can't hide the knot, undo it and tie it lower in the left corner
Step 7. Tie a belt or string around the waist to cinch and secure the robe
A leather or gold rope will work well here, but you can use a simple gold or leather belt as well. If you are using the rope, wrap it a few times around the waist so that it crosses and forms an "X". This will create a more decorative style.
For a more elegant touch, add a medallion that looks Roman or Greek on each shoulder. Hold them carefully by the twisted rope. Make sure they match
Method 3 of 3: Wrapping a robe without strips
Step 1. Put on a white tube top and shorts of the same color
White is the popular color for robes, but if you don't like wearing it, you can try a similar color, such as ivory or pale gold. If you want something more impactful, then maroon or green are good options too.
Make sure your bra is strapless too, otherwise you'll ruin this look
Step 2. Fold a solid colored white sheet in half widthwise
This applies only if the shorts and tube top are white. If they are a different color, make the sheet match them.
- Make sure the narrow edges of the sheet match.
- If you are very tall, fold it sideways so that one edge is longer than the other.
- If the sheet is too narrow to wrap around your torso, fold it lengthwise.
Step 3. Wrap the folded edge around the torso, below the armpits
Hold it behind you, with one corner against your left armpit. Wrap the other corner in front of your body. Keep wrapping it until it's snug.
- This is the same as wrapping a towel around your body.
- Make sure the left corner is in a place that you can reach and secure with a safety pin. If it is on your back, adjust the right corner.
- The toga has to be tight enough, but loose enough so that you can keep walking.
Step 4. Tuck the left corner under the wrapped fabric
If you want an extra level of security, you might want to add a safety pin. Insert it from the back of the fabric so that it is not visible from the outside.
Do not hold the toga directly on the tube top. This may sound like a good idea at first, but if the gown is pulled from below, the top will fall off too
Step 5. Tie a belt or cord around the waist to cinch and secure the gown
A leather belt will work well, but you can also use a thin gold or leather cord. If you choose the latter, think about wrapping it a few times around your waist so that it forms an "X".
This style is very simple and elegant. You can make it look more elegant by wearing a gold necklace. The lack of shoulder straps will help it show off
Advice
- If you are looking for historical precision, consider wrapping yourself a stola. It looks similar to the strapless toga, only the top is inflated over the waist bra.
- Accessorize the toga with gladiator sandals or a laurel wreath. You can also wear gold necklaces, bracelets, anklets or bracelets.
- The toga can be any color you like, as long as it is solid. White, off-white, maroon, green, or gold are popular colors for women's gowns.
- The gown can be as long or short as you want, but in general, women's gowns are the longest.
- Wear a tank top, halter top, or tube top, as well as shorts. Pick white or match the color of the robe.