Layers of Clothing. In the modern world we are accustomed to wearing several layers of clothing; we wear undergarments, pants, dresses, skirts, shirts, sweaters, jackets, suits, coats, and other items depending upon the weather and what individual circumstances dictate. The Romans also wore multiple layers of clothing as the seasons and their own occupations and status required.

The Man's Tunica. Roman men wore a basic garment called a tunica (tunic) over simple undergarments. The tunic was a rectangular slip with an opening at the top to allow the garment to fit over the head, and openings on either side for the arms. The ordinary tunic was woven in two pieces, and sewn together at the shoulders, though tunics woven in one piece are known to have existed. Throughout the Republic and into the High Empire, tunics were either sleeveless or had short...