Theatrical Masks

The importance of costume in the theatre cannot be rated too highly, for it is not only an outward and immediately visible medium of expression for the actor himself but it is significant of the dramatic values which he is suppose to portray (Brooke, 1). The colors, texture and shape of a costume can create a feeling of the character that the actor may not be able to portray. There is not any definite information on what exactly the Greeks used for costumes because so much time has elapsed since the original records were taken. Most information is based on the different artifacts that were found, such as paintings and pottery. Sometimes hints of what was worn could be found in the plays themselves.

Traditional Greek dress was never shaped for fitted, but draped over the body and was fairly the same for both men and women. All material came straight from the loom and if it was even sewn, it would be a straight seam and a rectangle shape. There are about four different garments that were used in the dress, all very basic and changed through the years. They are: Doric Chiton, Ionic Chiton, Himation and the chlamys.

The Doric Chiton was a wool fabric, usually patterned, worn around the wearer's bust. It reached from shoulder to shoulder and usually down to the ground. The fabric was so large that it is pinned up at the shoulders, which created mock sleeves to try and cover the arms, but usually they were uncovered. This garment was often found in the women's dress.

The Ionic Chiton was also often found in women's dress. Much like the Doric Chiton, it was once piece of fabric that was draped over the wearer. It was woven out of thin woolen type materials, like a gauzy type material. It was sewn at the top across the shoulders and down the arms, and was usually pleated.

The himation was a rectangle of wool with weighted corners, slung over the left shoulder, leaving the right arm free; or worn, by married women, with the corner over the head like a shawl (cwu). Sometimes this garment was worn as is, with nothing under it. If it covered the whole body it was an appropriate garment to wear. The himation was used even used as a blanket. The colors of this garment was usually natural, brown, black or tan, but sometimes dyed different colors, scarlet, crimson or purple.