I Wore Ancient Greek Clothing for 30 Days 

In two weeks, I'll be releasing a video about how I wrap my hair with fabric for ancient Greek hairstyles, which can also be useful for other historical periods. I hope you all enjoyed this experiment of wearing ancient Greek fashion for an entire month! Thanks for watching 😊

That belt!!! Okay so archaeologist here; that is a copy of the Battersea Shield, an Iron Age shield found in the River Thames from 350-50 BC so it’s inspired directly by Iron Age material culture and I’m definitely extremely jealous of that find. Also part of the reason the strophium may not be working all that well is that the overwhelming majority of Ancient Greek (and Roman but moreso Roman as it had spiritual significance) was made from wool which has a natural stretch to it. Wools as fine as those used back then are hard to come by but I’ve had some success with wools from India which are still woven to be very lightweight. The chiton/peplos/stola or “tube dress” as I like to call it could be woven into a tube with no seams (eg Huldremose Gown from Denmark) and was worn for thousands of years because of its practical nature and continued to be worn in parts of Northern Europe well into the medieval period (as late as the 13th century)

As a fellow Chronically ill/disabled person who is passionate about historical clothing, this really is helping to push me towards trying this! I live in a hot place during the summers and gods know modern clothing is just NOT cutting it xD

ugggh this is so beautiful. Also if you feel like doing an ancient Greek food video, I don't think a single person would be mad.

I’m sorry to hear about your chronic illness, lots of us understand because of our own.

The DNA strand earrings are reminiscent of the intertwined snakes of the caduceus. Definitely works for ancient Greece.

*MODERN LINEN IS "GASSED"* another word is mercerized I believe - the spun fibres are run through a gas flame at high speed and this burns off all the little bits that stick out This makes it softer and less scratchy BUT critically it does not BIND to itself as historical fabric would have, this is the same for cotton BTW. The original "bra" [strophian?] would have held in place far better.

As a Greek person I'm very on board with this Ancient Greece obsession you've developed! What an excellent video, I love your perspective of sewing your own clothes as a form of connection!

I teach Greek and Latin, and I'll be sharing your channel with my students! I think they'll love it. :D Thank you for your excellent, hard work! You are appreciated and amazing.

The fact that you Wear ancient clothing as everyday clothing is incredibly cool. I really like the fashion of the late Victorian/Edwardian era. I think it would be very fun to dress like middle class Edwardians with your significant other go on a walk in the park, go out to eat, etc.....

YES, pls make some ancient greek hairstyle videos too!!

05:18 "I found this really pretty fabric in my stash...would have been really expensive during ancient greek times" Useless fact: High quality Silk were used as a form of currency by the Chinese aristocracy before the 11th century AD, when banks invents paper currency. While it makes total sense in theory, it still feel kinda weird whenever you read about people buying goods or services with roll/s of fabric or silk.

Do you think as your Volga Tatar wardrobe grows you would consider doing another video like this for your Tatar clothing? Maybe in the winter to show how the clothes are uniquely suited to the climate they were designed for.

as someone who’s going to be studying the way people used to live, this puts me right in the mood!

Your videos are so frickin' watchable, and I always learn something cool ...every time. It's interesting to see a classically beautiful scholar wear these outfits -only for me to realize by the end of the video that they were eerily and hauntingly like us. I think I'm due for a V. Birchwood binge.

Thank you for being honest with how you feel with your health and chronic disease. I also have multiple and don’t feel confident with it at all. This really touched me ❤

if you watch Billy Matsunaga she does a great video on underthings worn with Kimono, there is one that is similar to the stróphion you were attempting

Literally sitting here watching this whilst dealing with my own chronic illness flare up (team spoonies!) and had to say how much I enjoyed this video. I feel like the slightly unhinged (I mean that as a compliment!) Bernadette banner energy was magnificent and despite not actually knowing you in real life, this particular video seemed especially you. Point is: loved this! Many hugs 💖

Peplos were often only sewn up one side so that when the belt was tied you could use the double layer of fabric as a pocket. This video has me really looking forward to summer!

I just want to express how much I appreciate you discussing dealing with your chronic illness coming in and out of the forefront of your days. I struggle with chronic illness as well, and actually was just throwing up, and then came back to this video, to hear you being both relatable and inspiring on a topic I wasn't expecting to find woven into a dress-focused video. Thank you for showing us the grace and accomplishment that is possible while living in that kind of ebb and flow. It gives me a more positive outlook for my own aspirations, and I hope that one day I can create something in my own life that is as lovely as your handmade clothing and this channel are in yours. ❤️

Your belt looks identical to the Battersea shield, which is a Celtic shield. It is very La Tène. Makes you look like a Galatian!

You must be the prettiest "unwell" person! The ancient Greek clothing looks like it would be perfect for hot days with a few modifications. Thank you for your videos.

The peplos is so cute ❤ i'm sorry you have to endure so many health issues ! Sending you all my support and virtual hugs ❤ this challenge was really cool to watch ! I really want to sew more historical clothings ! They are awesome and because clothes were meant to be taken care of and not thrown away, they are so much more versatile and adaptable to the body changes too ❤ my great aunt who was a seamstress and taught me to sew was always telling me how to construct the clothes so they can be easier taken apart for adjusting (in case of growth or weight variation) or mending ! That's a habit most of us have lost because fabric is so easily available now....

I laughed at the "it's pretty sick" pun so...😂 but yeah seriously best historical garb to be in when sick. Super simple and comfy. ❤

Okay, I gotta say it - those outfits were absolutely gorgeous! I’m adding them to my list as they also look absurdly easy to hand stitch, which is the only way I sew. I just have finish this 1980’s kitty cat cotton dress I’m almost done with and maybe do one more with this FABULOUS 1940’s vintage reproduction Hawaiian print cotton I just scored while on vacation in Key West, then I’m making myself a Chiton to try!

I also have curly hair and I have multiple chronic illnesses/disabilities, so yes I feel you!

I loved everything about this! I haven't watched a _ton_ of your content (yet), but I don't believe I've ever seen you get this personal with your audience, and I really liked it. I think it's incredibly important for creators to be able to be their real human selves, and for audiences to learn to be okay with that. Thanks for getting vulnerable with us. Love your work!

Absolutely loved the ancient Greek time period clothing, brilliant.. it must feel just so liberating & free to wear what your heart is telling you. Hope you feel better now. Take care and thank you for taking us all along on your experience of wearing Greek clothing.

Not sure if it was suggested already, but perhaps using a piece of fabric cut on the Bias for the Strophium (sp)? I know medieval stockings used Bias-cut to provide a bit of stretch to the material and this might help with the gripping and holding aspect of the garment.

*YOU ARE LOOKING* so much happier and less stressed.

I really like the way you give yourself time to reflect. It’s so interesting to hear your thoughts!

I love your infectious enthusiasm so much, and you looked stunning in every single of these outfits! Thank you so much for sharing this journey with us ❤❤❤

Daskalos sent me!! The peplos you made is so frikkin cute! I would absolutely wear one. I like how comfortable and elegant looking each of the garments are. I also like that each can be dressed up with accessories, or just worn plain for resting at home

I totally agree with the peplos having a modern feel! I don’t personally wear any historical garments, but when I saw this my first thought was that I want to make one!

V, please keep the puns. I nearly fell off my couch because I laughed so hard. You're awesome! ^^

After watching this video i actually went to the fabric store to get some fabric to make some chitons for myself!! Super excited!!! I would love to see you make some woolen chitons to see how they would work for fall or winter weather

Greek sandals are really comfortable! I am Greek and I wear handmade sandals during the summer. They are the most comfortable shoes! I can walk in them for the whole day without my feet being hurt. As regard the chiton and the peplos you can experiment with different types of belting. Ancient Greeks used to tie their clothes in different ways such like an X in front of the chest or back and many other ways. Also, the peplos could have been worn with tied sleeves like you did with the chiton. Great work as always! I like all your videos!

I'm confined to bed with disabilities and chronic illnesses so I'm always looking for something to watch, I have Greek blood, and I adore historical fashion. This video speaks to me!

I get you, I think; I have rheumatoid arthritis, and some days are just, like, nothing happens, nothing CAN happen. Chitons really suit you, I bet you were getting tons of compliments! :)

When you put your new green gown on, I was thinking it was kind of lagenlook. I associate that style with loose natural fabrics. It’s literally a “layered look”. So pretty!

Hey! Curls are so much easier with either a silk pillow case or bonnet. You won’t wake up with knots, I promise. ❤

I’ve recently started growing tobacco for personal use and it also brings me back to my ancestors who grew tobacco 3 and 4 generations ago for a living. I suspect it is a similar feeling to crafting your own clothing, very neat experience

I was actually inspired by your video about making clothes for summer to make my own chiton. It's very not historically accurate bc I made it too short and had to add length 😅 in my defense I was making it from thrifted pima cotton flat bedsheets and i didn't want to waste the fancy cotton fabric. I haven't been brave enough to wear it out, but I've worn it at home and it's so unbelievably comfortable, especially because I'm in south Texas and it's been so hot.

18:20 I get the impression of Celtic inspiration for that belt design. It is still totally believable for an ancient Greek to have one.

I need a chiton, and I need it right now ❤ Mega cool project, I am so hooked.

If your summer was anything like ours (far too hot) then it looks like you were perfectly dressed! You looked lovely in all the outfits

Greetings from Greece, first time I comment on your channel. I must say I am impressed by you walking 18 km in those sandals. I understand it took years of practice and hardening your soles but yeah, hiking in sandals? Brave. Watch your step, hehe. And I also love gathering wild blackberries, it is their season now and they grow in various parts of my village, I hunt them down. :)

The Greeks did use boots too, especially in a military context from the 4th century BC onwards, however not the women as far as I know.

I love fresh blackberries!! My old house there, was a blackberry bush across the street. When they were in season you bet I would be there grabbing blackberries.

So that's what they're called, the strothian, I first came across them whilst dressing my character in AC Odyessey.

Love this! Chitons are so dreamy. And thin linen ( in a hot, humid climate with 4 to 5 months of heat) is just the absolute best. I also picked up handsewing during the pandemic, and it is very good for my mental health. It's a wonderful feeling when the clothes you make for yourself become your favorite garments.

Making a peplos style dress this year was not on my bingo card for 2024 but I feel so inspired to make one now.

Sorry to hear about your illness. Sadly, the world is cursed. A bit of encouragement, I love your detailing of ancient Greek apparel. Thank you for your dedication to sharing this side of history! Keep it up!!!

I live a very similar lifestyle. I wear medieval clothing every day and living a more medieval lifestyle is the way I am comfortable. So it’s comforting to see other people who live a similar lifestyle to me.

You’ve inspired me, and I am planning a chiton (in warm yellow linen) for the Ren Faire this year! I want to do the beautiful gathers you did as well 💛 I live in a warm place, so I’m very excited to float around in my own chiton ☀️

I just discovered your channel, and I'm amazed by the quality and realism of your creations. Thank you for sharing!

Do you use the pocket/kolpos at the front of the chiton over the belt? I found it super handy in my knee-length boy's chiton. It's no wonder sewn pockets were such a late invention if people were used to forming a giant pocket with no extra effort. :)

I love that your experiences are getting longer. Next time we'lll see "I lived like a Victorian for a year" and I'll be here for it.

This was such a fun video! Love your content as always :)

i watch the video because i like the cloths and the style. but to be honest i just like seeing people being happy

I think that was your best pun! I was dead laughing even before you started saying it was a bad pun. It reminds me of myself when I am sick, sometimes I am so sick of being sick that I just throw jokes after jokes after jokes, because ... it just steals everything from you ... being sick ... =( idk about you, but that's how I feel about it.

Gasp all of these garments are GORGEOUS I wish I could get my own!

I REALLY like that day 27 outfit! My favorite shade of green, comfy looking dress, and cool as heck belt. Nice work.

Being under the weather cancels out the bad of puns :D

As you wear the strophium, it will stretch and conform to the shape of the body, and stay up much better. I usually have to wear a new one 3-7 times to really break it in.

Thank you for being vulnerable. It just shows how strong and relatable and inspiring you are. :)

I love all the clothes in this video! Could you do a tutorial on how to make them (chiton peplos etc)? Also do you make the colours of the fabric more vibrant in editing?

I fractured my ankle a little over 2 weeks ago now, and have been wearing Viking Era dresses because they're the easiest to wear with the walking cast and crutches I'm stuck with!

Do wild west for a month! Boots! Hats! Dusters!

This is so cute! I love dressing mainly the Victorian era too buy sometimes taking it waaaaaay back is extra fun! Those dresses (Chilton) look amazing and I think I'll have to make one! A viceo on how you made them could be super cool. I find as a chronically ill person too I find clothing from 500+ years ago is so comfortable. Especially when I want the whimsy but not the discomfort that sometimes comes with Victorian clothing

The peplos is really cute and definitely looks like something you could get away with wearing today without too many stares. I also think the burnt orange chiton suits your complexion so well! The color is very complementary on you. Lastly, as someone with curly hair, chronic illness and a toddler, maintaining the curls is so hard! I’ve been doing overnight curls and it’s been a life saver. I wash my hair, put in some leave in conditioner, let it dry for a bit, do a very simple wrap with a silk scarf that takes about 5 minutes before bed. When I wake up, I remove the scarf and just use a bit of hair oil to smooth and separate the curls. Lasts all week!

That Battersea Belt Buckle is awesome!

Honestly you suit ancient greek clothing so incredibly well its definitely your era and you look made for it, it would have been more intriguing to see all the interesting ways you can tie the cord though, also possibly the strophion needs to be longer or like a stretched out semi circle or needs two ribbons on each end to tie together or cut on the bias or a thicker with piece of fabric or you just need a bit more practice or to tie it a different way, i have EDS so know in my own way what it's like to have a non cooperative body sometimes, may your flare ups be far and few between!!!

Very interesting. I thought that the huge volume of fabric in your chitons would be an issue, but you never mentioned it. You might find this interesting: Billy Matsunaga's channel has a vlog called "the best kimono bras" - one of them is basically a strophion and the way she ties it is illuminating (it's about 30 minutes into the video).

Fascinating video as always! Thanks!

Algorithm blessed me with this video and this channel, THE BAD PUN WAS SO AMAZING.

omg, i love the orange chiton!!!!!

The peplos you made during the experiment looks great! My only suggestion would be that I think it might look even better if you left the side seams open on the portion that's folded over? I think that way it would hang and move more freely and not bunch up at the sides.

so much beauty! wonderful science and history. I'd love to have a greek outfit

I'm so glad my partner discovered your channel and introduced it to me 🐱

I wonder if the materials used historically for the strophion wraps are similar to the materials used for leg wraps. Generally they are just wrapped tight from the ankle up and tucked under at the top. The leg wraps were usually made from wool or linen or hemp. They only stay up because they were made from a woven chevron pattern that gave the fabric some natural stretchy properties. Its a common beginners mistake among modern reinactment groups to use non stretchy fabric for thier leg wraps and they never stay up on their own. They become pretty insufurable to adjust them all the time, so I've seen people use everything from pins and broaches, to lace and ribbon, to duct tape and electrical tape. The woven chevron fabric is widely available and highly recommend but it is quite expensive.

This is beautiful, love your outfits here! 1, 12, 26, and 29 are among my faves, but....they all look awesome.

The peplos would look cool with a turtleneck! I might have to make one for a more modern modest look!

I really enjoy your videos, Vasi! They are so thorough and I'm learning heaps on historical fashion. I also really appreciate your attitude on privacy and modesty in your videos, it's like a breath of fresh in this day and age. (I recently learned that the brain parts that are connected to the feet are close to the part that's connected to the genitals, and in some people, there's an overlap or extra connections between the two, so that could explain foot fetishes. Now knowing that, I understand you'd rather not show your feet, just to be sure. 😅)

This is so gorgeous and inspiring ! I’d love to get into historical fashion. Also loved to hear your introspection on being seen and chronic illness. Wishing you well!

I love your public persona, and sense of adventure and experimentation. The peblos is lovely! And, your chitons are as pretty as ever. Thanks for all the hard work you put into your videos, I appreciate being able to enjoy them so much!

Sharing this with all my greek mythology friends!

You are absolutely beautiful inside and out, and the ancient greek clothing really accentuates that ❤❤

Been loving the diversity in the garments you showcase. Excited to see what may come next!!

I LOVED the peplos, both the colour and the style. I've only just gotten into sewing (inspired by you!) and this seems like a great second project. I really love the ''I did X for 30 days" videos you do, they are really an insight into how our ancestors lived. Maybe you could do a 'how to sew a peplos' video tutorial if you are so inclined!

This was awesome! I loved how you looked in the style. I could see you posing for post impressionist portraits from some of the greats.

I ran into you on day 24 at the festival! Sorry for being so awkward, it was lovely meeting you!

Girl, you are living The ✨Dream✨

What a fun idea. You looked amazing in all of the different outfits!😯🤩 You're so talented to be making them yourself too. Thanks for sharing! 😸👍

Thank you soo much for the Inspiration 🙏🏼 ❕ this will help so much with my next project ❕❕

Oh my gosh! When you said you went to a festival, I immediately recognized the surroundings! I am from the US, but I was at that same festival. I loved all your garments in this video. New subscriber now 😊

This is so cool! I'm new to your channel, I love how deeply you immerse your self in the 'mundane' aspects of history--the normal, everyday things like how to dress or fix your hair. This video is so interesting and calming at the same time! You are very brave for being honest with us about your illness. I will pray for your health

Do understand the chronic illness life, and a whole lot more than would have preferred to. Showing that life is real and can still be lived and enjoyment can be found within that while dealing with an illness which isn't going to go away will be helpful someone somewhere.

Same with the curly hair!!! Its so freaking expensive for it too look nice too. All the product you have to put in it. I have tighter, jewish curls and even when i put product in it, it still gets frizzy..

I think this is one of your best. Ancient Greek fashion suites you.