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It is a popular misconception that Greek costumes were white. During the Archaic period, clothes were generally white or off-white. Commoners were forbidden to wear red chitons and himations in theaters or public places, but by the fifth century costumes were decorated with a wide range of colors. Upper-class Greeks wore extravagant costumes woven with threads of silver and gold. One of the most common designs for borders was the Greek key pattern which has been used as a decorative motif ever since. More complex borders depicted themes ranging from animals, birds, and fish to complex battle scenes. The colored threads for these embroideries appear to have been limitless. Herodotus mentions yellow, violet, indigo, red and purple in a single garment. |
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