What Were Greek Theatre Costumes Made Of?

Greek Theatre|Theater

The ancient Greeks were known for their love of theatre and their elaborate costumes. Greek theatre costumes were made from a variety of materials – some of which have endured to this day.

Fabrics
The most common fabric used in the creation of Greek theatre costumes was wool. This material was easy to dye, sew and shape, making it an ideal choice for costume design. Other fabrics occasionally used in Greek theatre included linen, cotton, and silk.

Decorations
Greek theatre costumes were often adorned with intricate details such as embroidery, jewels, and metal accents. Embroidery was often used to create ornate patterns or to add texture to a costume.

Jewels could be sewn onto garments or used to create headpieces and crowns. Metal decorations such as clasps and buckles could also be added to enhance the look of a costume.

Colors
The Greeks often used bright colors when creating their costumes – even more so than other ancient cultures. Bright blues, reds, yellows, purples and greens could all be seen on the stage during Greek theatrical performances. Some plays even featured scenes in which characters changed their costumes several times – each time sporting a different color scheme!

Accessories
Greek theatre costumes were often completed with accessories such as masks, wigs, hats, capes and cloaks. Masks were typically made from leather or clay and could feature exaggerated features such as enlarged eyes or noses.

Wigs could be made from human hair or animal fur – sometimes they would even be adorned with feathers! Hats ranged from simple caps to elaborate headpieces while capes and cloaks added an extra layer of detail to a costume.

In conclusion, Greek theatre costumes were made from a variety of materials including wool, linen, cotton and silk; decorated with embroidery, jewels and metal accents; adorned with bright colors; and completed with accessories like masks, wigs hats capes and cloaks. These elements combined to create some truly spectacular stage outfits that have become an iconic part of ancient Greek culture!