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Whip up a quick toga costume with items in your home
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A toga is essential for anyone attending a college fraternity or sorority party or in need of a last-minute costume for Halloween. While a bed sheet is not the ideal fabric for fashioning a toga, it’s easy to find and works in a pinch. We spoke with Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist Chloée Ohayon-Crosby to learn how to create the perfect toga with a sheet. This article covers making 2 different styles of toga and one chiton for women who want a more historically accurate costume.
Make a Basic Toga with a Sheet
Hold the corner of a twin bedsheet near your shoulder as you wrap it snugly across your chest and tuck it under your other arm. Continue to wrap the toga around the back of your body. Then, wrap it around your body 1 more time. Tie the corners into a knot over your shoulder.
Steps
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Grab the corner of the bed sheet in one hand. Leave about 6-8 inches (15 - 20 cm) of the sheet in one hand to tie the knot with. Hold the bed sheet above either shoulder with the corresponding hand (left hand to left shoulder, right hand to right shoulder, etc.). [1] X Research source
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Drape the sheet snug across your chest. Then, tuck it under the opposite arm. [2] X Research source Wrapping the toga around your chest offers more coverage. Ask a friend to help wrap the toga around you if you have difficulty keeping it up as you go.- Alternately, wrap the toga snugly around your waist for a toga that exposes half of your chest. Ohayon-Crosby recommends this method for men wanting to wear a one-sided toga.
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Shorten the toga if necessary. If the toga is too long, fold one edge over by about 6 inches (15 cm), and try again. Keep adjusting until you get the right length, which is around the knee area.
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Wrap the sheet around your body twice. Tuck the sheet under the arm you're holding it with. Then, wrap it around the front of your chest over the first wrap. Pass it under the opposite arm and across your back, ending at the back of your shoulder on the same side where you’re holding the corner in the front. [3] X Research source
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Tie the corners of the bedsheet in a knot over your shoulder. Ohayon-Crosby says to bring the second corner of the sheet up over your back to the corner in your hand. Secure the two ends by tying them in a knot . For a more secure toga, use a brooch or pin.
- For another neck option, wrap the toga at your chest level from the back. Hold each corner an equal distance from your body, then cross them over each other and tie the ends behind your neck.
- Ohayon-Crosby recommends securing your toga at the waist to make sure it doesn’t fall. Use a couple of safety pins inside the toga if necessary. [4] X Research source
- Whether you need a Halloween costume or you’re joining a fraternity in a college Greek system, you’re all set to head to the party!
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Wrap the sheet around your waist. Hold the corner of the sheet hip level at your left side, so it covers the front of your body and not the back. Wrap the sheet around your body until it overlaps the first corner by a few inches. [5] X Research source
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Pin the sheet in place to form a snug waistband. If you’re wearing fitted pants with a firm waistband, tuck the edge of the sheet into it all the way around your waist for extra security. [6] X Research source
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Toss the rest of the sheet over your right shoulder. Allow the sheet to drape in a diagonal arc across your chest. If the sheet trails on the ground behind you, wrap it around your waist one more time before throwing it over your shoulder.
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Decide the length of your toga. It is recommended to use a twin sheet, though a full sheet also works (especially if you are taller). Fold the sheet lengthwise until it is the desired length of the final dress. [7] X Research source For a short toga, fold the sheet in half. For a longer toga, fold down only the top 6” to 1’.
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Fold the sheet in half widthwise around your body. One half of the sheet covers the back of your body, and the other half covers the front. Keep the folded-down section at the top near your shoulder on the outside of the chiton.
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Join the front and back of the chiton with a pin at each shoulder. [8] X Research source Place the pins about 2 feet (60 cm) apart. This gives you enough room for the chiton to drape across your clavicle without falling off your shoulders. Buy fancy pins for the occasion or use safety pins.
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Place your arm through the hole. Pinning the sides creates a large armhole where the front of the sheet meets the back. Slip your arm through this hole to put the chiton on.
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Secure the waist with a belt. Use a cord, ribbon, or a tight-fitting belt to tie the waist. You will probably need to overlap the open sides a bit before you secure the waist to ensure you don’t expose more skin than you’d like. If you’re concerned about the chiton gaping, whipstitch the edges together before putting it on. [9] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow can I make the toga look royal?Community AnswerWear a wreath of olive branches on your head and place a gold brooch on the shoulder strap. Add a purple accent and wear strappy sandals.
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QuestionCan I use these techniques to make a toga for a child?Community AnswerYes, but you might might want to fold the sheet in half, or use a smaller sheet.
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QuestionI have to look like Athena; how do I make this costume look more like a Greek God?Community AnswerWear a wreath of olive branches around your head (Athena invented them). Maybe add a helmet or a chest plate for armor. Adding a shield and spear will help too.
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Tips
- Women didn't usually wear togas in Ancient Greece and Rome, but in this case, it’s fine. After all, it's a party, and anachronisms don't matter.Thanks
- Use a white twin sheet if possible; this gives the cleanest and most toga-like effect. That said, a patterned sheet adds flair, especially if you want to stand out at your party.Thanks
- Be sure to pin your toga securely so it doesn’t fall off. If you’re left-handed, wrap the edge of the bed sheet on your right shoulder to make it easier to secure.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Wear light-coloured undergarments to keep your toga from being too revealing.
- For little kids, try cutting the sheet shorter or use a towel instead.
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References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/snUNFQwgTI4?t=134
- ↑ https://youtu.be/snUNFQwgTI4?t=138
- ↑ https://youtu.be/snUNFQwgTI4?t=142
- ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/no-costume-grab-sheet-and-rock-toga-180953199/
- ↑ https://youtu.be/3CkiiWtoV-Q?t=16
- ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/style/3-ways-make-toga-costume-out-white-sheet/
- ↑ / https://www.singleton.lancs.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/UKS2_AG_BlkE_Home_Life_S1_Resources-1.pdf
- ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/style/3-ways-make-toga-costume-out-white-sheet
- ↑ https://www.hercampus.com/style/3-ways-make-toga-costume-out-white-sheet/
About This Article
Article Summary
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If you want to make a toga out of a bedsheet, grab the corner of the sheet in one hand, leaving about 6 to 8 inches to tie the knot with. Hold the sheet above your shoulder, then drape it snugly across your chest and tuck it under the opposite arm. Wrap the toga all the way around your body once, then bring it around your back again. Pull the second corner of the toga over your shoulder and tie it to the first corner with a secure knot. You can also secure the two ends with a brooch or pin. Use safety pins inside of the toga to make sure it stays in place. For other toga tying tips, including how to make a sari-style toga or a women's Greek chiton, read on!
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