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| Home > Article Library > Miscellaneous > Myceneaen > Garments | Search |
| Myceneaen Mysteries: Traditional Garments & Such by Joseph Teller |
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Copyright © 1989 by Joseph W. Teller
Free to distribute & copy in its entirety for non-commercial use
Myceneae is a territory in Greece that, like much of Greece, has a warmer climate than that which we have in many areas in the United States, and so before adopting the garb of such it may be good to consider the practical matters involved in such. There is no real required dress code for the Myceneaen Mysteries, but the more you can adopt from the traditions the better you will feel about your selves and your actions within the context. As a side note, I feel that since we shall also be honoring the gods and goddesses of the land we live in, those of the American Indian tribes, that the use of garb and designs based on their concepts is perfectly acceptable within the Myceneaen Mysteries and encouraged if you are not using traditional dress of Myceneae (Since their clothing is better designed to our climate!).
Unlike many Neo-Pagan traditions, the Myceneae does not use black colored garb as its primary working color. Clothes should be usually in reds, blues, greens, golds, purples, some white or ivory, rustic browns etc. People are not expected to duplicate exactly the ancient dress, but to adapt at least the color scheme would be nice. Black is used primarily for rituals and celebrations of Hecate (intermixed with silver).
Footwear of sandals, shoes and boots of natural materials are all acceptable and existed (and of course bare feet, if viable in your weather).
The addition of jewelry for both men and women is acceptable, preferably of natural materials when possible, with silver or copper bases for metals preferred over gold and steel (bronze would be nice but is rare in this day and age). Bracelets, Beads, earrings, and finger rings as well as anklet decorations are acceptable on both males and females. Belt buckles on the other hand should be small and innocuous when possible as they were not common in the time (if avoidable in entirety all the better). Watches and other modern toys are definitely obtrusive and non-traditional. The sewing of bells into the hems of clothing or on strips of cloth or tongs of leather for ankles and wrists was common for ritual clothes.
Cloaks in cold or wet weather were common, for both males and females, both as tie-held and clasp held, hooded and unhooded, and the sewing of pockets within the insides of them were acceptable (the only real clothing they wore with pockets). Cloaks may or may not be lined, dependant on needs of the climate conditions. They were not worn inside except in very cold areas.
Athletes for celebrational games traditionally wore only a one piece loincloth and belt to secure it (forming a shape not unlike a man's bathing trunks), for both males and females.
For women in ceremony, a flounced skirt, anywhere from just below the knee to the ground itself was common. This could easily be substituted for by a 'peasant skirt' with its many pretty colors in modern day. If you make your own clothes and wish to be very authentic remember they had no buttons or zippers, tie strings were the order of the day, or fastening clothing with a nice ornamental pin of silver, pewter or such. The other option would be a side-slit tie skirt, for those who are a bit more daring in their clothing attire, leaving the entire side and leg on one side exposed (or a slit on each side to allow easier movement in dance).
Additionally a vest, cut low so that it did not restrict the breasts and again laced with tie strings was common. This was usually of one or two solid colors in contrast to the many colors of a peasant dress (though the dress could also be made of a single color).
Dependant on climate, personal choice, physical ability etc, the above might be all that was worn, leaving the breasts exposed and visible, and being perfectly acceptable. On the other hand a ivory, white, yellow or lightly colored (pastel) chamise could be worn with all this under the vest, to provide some support, warmth and modesty for those who need such (or if a ritual was being attended by a large number of guests). The chamise should be of light cloth, and lacey if possible to accent the rest of the garments.
Although in todays society trousers are the standard for males, this was not always so. A Chamise-like shirt (pocketless) of light color and a Kilt (maximum to just below the knees) and knee-high stockings were the norm. To this would be added a cross-shoulder carrying bag or travel pack of leather or cloth and possibly a pinned-on sheath for dagger or knife.
Optionally, for both, would be a shoulder-to ankle hooded robe, with a tie-draw at the waist on which might be hung a pouch and dagger sheath (or sword scabbard). This would be emroidered with the symbols of one's patron deities and concepts. This should be a wide cut garment to allow easy movement (optionally side slits for the legs) and with equally wide sleeves (not too long to avoid their getting into the fire when using flames). This garment was not common in Myceneae, used only on certain occasions and in a few locales, but may be more useable for anyone practicing in more than one neo-Pagan group. Note that this robe should be a pull-over not a bathrobe type robe.
Body paints are acceptable within the belief, and was often used in Dionysian rituals and celebrations for decoration.
Long hair is common within the Myceneae area, as are beards on men. This is acceptable, so long as you keep it neat and out of the way of open flames (women braiding their hair, or tieing it back may be best). Scarfs can be used to tie hair out of the way (and are also useable on the other garb to help increase its beauty). Hats were non-existant, except for military caps. [Personal note, I have always found the longer one grows one hair the more one seems to take interest in ones own physical appearance and the better one feels about yourself.]
Musical instruments common to the era were: the conch horn,drum, double flute, flute/recorder, Egyptian sistrum, hand bells, Lyre. I would also suspect that tamborine-like bell rings were used.