A toga is a one-piece garment which has become closely associated with Ancient Rome, where it was the official state garment and a symbol of Roman culture. In fact, the toga was developed by native people who lived in the region before the Romans, and it was worn extensively in the Etruscan period and by the Greeks. Despite the fact that numerous depictions of the toga can be found in Roman art, there is some dispute about how the garment was worn in different periods of Roman history.

The garment was oval to semi-circular in shape, and made from heavy wool. It was draped over the body in a style which varied, depending on the period. During the height of Roman culture, togas were intricately folded in a way which made it almost impossible to move, and the toga came to be associated with court appearances, formal events, and the Roman upperclasses. While togas were historically worn by men and women, it came to be a garment exclusively worn by men, with women donning the stola.

Typically, the toga was worn over a tunic. Many Romans worked in their tunics, adopting the toga when guests appeared or they had to go out in public. The toga was more than just an overgarment: it was also a symbol of Roman citizenship. Only full citizens could wear the toga, with slaves and exiles adopting other garments. Togas became a source of pride and honor for their wearers as a result.

Although many people seem to think that togas were simply made from white or unbleached wool, they actually came in a range of styles. The toga pulla, a dark toga, was worn as a sign of mourning, and sometimes as a sign of protest, as well. Young men wore togas with stripes, while candidates for public office sported a sparkling white toga candida. Togas could also be richly embroidered and ornamented.

Many variations on the toga can be seen in works of Roman art on display in museums. Sharp-eyed observers may be able to note variations on style and draping in different periods of Roman history. Alas, differences in style between social classes have not been as well preserved, since lower-class Romans were not usually depicted in paintings and carvings.

This garment has been adopted in the “toga parties” held by some college fraternities and other organizations. However, the versions of the toga worn by party attendees are quite different from the original Roman toga, being more lightweight and generally more revealing.