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 😊
Greetings from Greece! 😊 Thank you for this very interesting video. Your pronunciation of "chiton" is wrong. It's not ch*i*ton, it's chit*o*n. "Χιτών" in Greek.
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)
YES as a tailor of historical suits, I can confirm linen has ZERO stretch in it, But also - and this was my comment: 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. ----- "Wools as fine as those used back then are hard to come by". what GSM / Oz are you wanting? I can get lightweight Turkish wool and new old stock wools from the former USSR. And when you sat "fine" do you mean thin or do you mean woven densely from thin fibres? EDIT - I can also get hand woven narrow loom undyed cloth made in the villages here in Bulgaria
@@piccalillipit9211 I would be interested as my clothing of choice is actually Roman and fine wools were worn. I used to have some beautiful cream wool which I made into nuimerous tunica and pallas (closing down sale of a local shop, it was light summerweight suiting weight) until the moths found it and byebye tunica (this was 20 years ago now). I'd certainly be interested in obtaining more for my own use as I prefer wool over either linen or cotton - it's cool in summer but also warm in winter and I find it far more practical than either cotton or linen). I live in Ireland so shipping wouldn't be an issue for us either.
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!
@@VBirchwoodI can fully sympathize. I have a chronic illness of the nervous system and some days are great then others are 👎. Always prioritize self-care above all else on those not so good days. ❤
@@justforfunsies5000yes sister, me too. I am only 16 and have the same disorder. They want me to take medications but I refuse. I’m young, and don’t want to ruin my health on lifelong medicine. It’s tough. But I’m here standing.
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
@@katerrinah5442 That is something I don't like wearing, disabled but meds I was on for years made me put on weight and my upper arms are, shall we say, not for public display. I do like wearing Roman - 1st century - fashions but also adapt styles from the 1930s/40s and wear them, all made either from linen, cotton or heavier wool.
@@DerAufseher1 You do believe that, what does not mean it is true or false. It is an aspect of our lives which can not be proven by mind, that means treating any kind of theism or atheism as the only one is not much more than blindness.
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.
Same here! Finding good educational materials for presentations can get difficult, but man oh man is this a lovely way of picturing the dresses in a realistic, lively manner. Thanks a lot! PS: I'm thinking of sewing a Roman tunica for myself to show it off as well. Wish me luck... ^_^
@@RealBenda Oooh, do it! If nothing else, they'll be amused, and then they'll listen! For a while! :D And both classes loved it! They're a mix of all college-aged, and a few said they were going to subscribe! I hope they do!
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!
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.....
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!
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.
I would love to! The Volga-Ural region can get quite hot in summer as well, so clothing varied a lot between the seasons. Definitely though this is a style of challenge I’d like to do for other styles and regions of dress, just need to have at least 3-4 ensembles built up for each ☺️
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!
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 ❤
*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.
An archaeologist commented that they were made of a very fine wool, which was woven, and would have some stretch....so linen was just the wrong choice for this piece.
@@martavdz4972 Im pleased it was helpful - modern fabric is very different to fabric even 50 years ago. Fabric on a mechanical shuttle loom drapes much better than modern projectile loom fabric, its much warmer and more windproof. And hand woven is completely different, much less regular but full of charactor
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.
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.
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 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. ❤️
@@BeingJenniRae thank you so much for your absolutely beautiful comment ♥️ it really moved me! I’m so sorry that you struggle with chronic illness as well, it’s such a difficult thing to navigate sometimes. Much love to you!
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.
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).
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 💖
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
@@ItsAsparageese thank you so much for your lovely comment and acknowledgement of my vulnerability ☺️ if you’d like to hear a more complete mental health story, I open up I think the most about my life in the video, “Telling You the Truth.”
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
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 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 ❤❤❤
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! :)
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!
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 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.
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!!!
You are adorable my Dear. Without sounding weird, I was really proud of you for taking on the clothes women wore during their periods in the old days. It was very informative. Even for a guy we wonder about these things. Keep up the great work my Dear.
I love that you don't shy away from talking about historical undergarments. It's something that I'm interested in learning about but information is hard to find. I have so many problems with modern clothing (the clothing itself and also size) and as someone who picked up 49% Greek genes from my parents, I can tell the flowy, loose clothing of the ancients will suit my body better (especially since I'm in Australia. This heat is NOT forgiving on modern clothing 💀)
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.
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!
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 😊
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!
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.
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.
These are gorgeous ! I wish that it was more widely accepted to wear historical clothing in day to day life, of course not to a ridiculous extent. This video was lovely !
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
Great video! I tried something similar with cross-fit workouts in my garden during the Covid summer and winter months. I wore a hand-sewn linen Chiton fitted with a braided cord belt above the navel. The chiton on its own was perfect for the hot/humid weather. I went barefoot as the heat made it doable. I kept a pitcher of water with me throughout the workouts. I added a wool Klamys and foot-wraps in the winter months with a “Greek” pair of leather sandals. I was surprised how warm I remained despite my arms and thighs being exposed to rain and light snow. Additionally, the Kettle-bell, steel-mace, javelin toss, and bodyweight exercises were perfect for countering said inclement weather. Overall the kit is cheap, light, and very comfortable. Highly recommend for any fellow home-gym/history enjoyers out there ;)
Another interesting yet relaxing video for me to wind down for bed with ❤ Thanks for all your knowledge, honesty, and enthusiasm - you're an inspiration
Oh I absolutely love that baby teal chiton! That colour is so sweet! Always love your style, regardless. Those preview of the girl-herder style... absolutely loved that as well... so sweet... Back when I went to Greece, I bought a pair of Greek shoes too. The "gladiator shoes" I brought there broke. And yes, they were thin, but SO comfortable! And lasted me so many years! It was great! Love your experience. Hope you can incorporate them into your daily style as well... I wish I would just be bolder and do the same as you, just sew some chiton/peplos by myself using a fabric I love and😢 wear.....
The bra however, does not look comfortable at all. I would like to make a suggestion, for you to try the ancient chinese inner wear "du dou" one of these days.... and experiment with ancient chinese clothes.... if you're interested!
I adore your videos. You yourself are already lovely and your voice is both engaging and soothing, but your personality is also so refreshing! I’m an amateur world-builder in the ttrpg scene (very amateur), and videos like this are invaluable to helping me understand the mentality and needs of real people wearing real ancient clothing. Your adventures and insights bring my imagination to life! Thank you for loving yourself enough to pursue what you want even when your condition makes it difficult! Your determination helps me get off my butt and get back to doing what I love even when I am in a block or depressed! And yes you look very cute in ALL of the outfits! How do you spell it, keaton? Like the actor 😂 I don’t know!
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?
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 😊
Greetings from Greece! 😊 Thank you for this very interesting video.
Your pronunciation of "chiton" is wrong. It's not ch*i*ton, it's chit*o*n. "Χιτών" in Greek.
Also the 'Ch' is pronounced as simple 'H' like in 'Hit'. So, it's Hit-On with emphasis on the 'On'.
That sounds so interesting, I can’t wait!
love your content !!!
That's going to be very interesting, sounds like the perfect solution for non-period haircuts at reenactment events.
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)
Thank you for sharing!
YES as a tailor of historical suits, I can confirm linen has ZERO stretch in it, But also - and this was my comment: 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.
-----
"Wools as fine as those used back then are hard to come by". what GSM / Oz are you wanting? I can get lightweight Turkish wool and new old stock wools from the former USSR. And when you sat "fine" do you mean thin or do you mean woven densely from thin fibres?
EDIT - I can also get hand woven narrow loom undyed cloth made in the villages here in Bulgaria
Thank you for sharing this info! ☺️
ahh i was literally about to comment that the belt looked like a replica of the battersea shield but i see you beat me to it! 😂
@@piccalillipit9211 I would be interested as my clothing of choice is actually Roman and fine wools were worn. I used to have some beautiful cream wool which I made into nuimerous tunica and pallas (closing down sale of a local shop, it was light summerweight suiting weight) until the moths found it and byebye tunica (this was 20 years ago now). I'd certainly be interested in obtaining more for my own use as I prefer wool over either linen or cotton - it's cool in summer but also warm in winter and I find it far more practical than either cotton or linen). I live in Ireland so shipping wouldn't be an issue for us either.
The DNA strand earrings are reminiscent of the intertwined snakes of the caduceus. Definitely works for ancient Greece.
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!
Thank you!☺️
I’m sorry to hear about your chronic illness, lots of us understand because of our own.
Thank you for the understanding and solidarity!
I'm so impressed with your long walks!
@@VBirchwoodI can fully sympathize. I have a chronic illness of the nervous system and some days are great then others are 👎. Always prioritize self-care above all else on those not so good days. ❤
@@justforfunsies5000yes sister, me too. I am only 16 and have the same disorder. They want me to take medications but I refuse. I’m young, and don’t want to ruin my health on lifelong medicine. It’s tough. But I’m here standing.
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.
Thank you! It'll be happening!! :)
I can get behind that 1000 percent ❤
What kind of food would that be?
@@Finn959Basically the same thing Greeks eat now. lol!
I heart dolmades
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
Same! I love short sleeve/sleeveless kirtles in summer, they're so comfy!
@@katerrinah5442 That is something I don't like wearing, disabled but meds I was on for years made me put on weight and my upper arms are, shall we say, not for public display. I do like wearing Roman - 1st century - fashions but also adapt styles from the 1930s/40s and wear them, all made either from linen, cotton or heavier wool.
There is only one God, not "gods".
@@DerAufseher1 ok retard
@@DerAufseher1 You do believe that, what does not mean it is true or false. It is an aspect of our lives which can not be proven by mind, that means treating any kind of theism or atheism as the only one is not much more than blindness.
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.
This is a lovely compliment, thanks so much! I hope they enjoy watching it!
Same here! Finding good educational materials for presentations can get difficult, but man oh man is this a lovely way of picturing the dresses in a realistic, lively manner. Thanks a lot!
PS: I'm thinking of sewing a Roman tunica for myself to show it off as well. Wish me luck... ^_^
@@RealBenda Oooh, do it! If nothing else, they'll be amused, and then they'll listen! For a while! :D And both classes loved it! They're a mix of all college-aged, and a few said they were going to subscribe! I hope they do!
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!
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.....
You'd like Bernadette Banner then.
YES, pls make some ancient greek hairstyle videos too!!
as someone who’s going to be studying the way people used to live, this puts me right in the mood!
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!
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.
I would love to! The Volga-Ural region can get quite hot in summer as well, so clothing varied a lot between the seasons. Definitely though this is a style of challenge I’d like to do for other styles and regions of dress, just need to have at least 3-4 ensembles built up for each ☺️
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!
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 ❤
*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.
strophion
An archaeologist commented that they were made of a very fine wool, which was woven, and would have some stretch....so linen was just the wrong choice for this piece.
Thanks for this interesting info, I had no idea!
@@martavdz4972 Im pleased it was helpful - modern fabric is very different to fabric even 50 years ago. Fabric on a mechanical shuttle loom drapes much better than modern projectile loom fabric, its much warmer and more windproof. And hand woven is completely different, much less regular but full of charactor
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.
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.
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 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. ❤️
@@BeingJenniRae thank you so much for your absolutely beautiful comment ♥️ it really moved me!
I’m so sorry that you struggle with chronic illness as well, it’s such a difficult thing to navigate sometimes. Much love to you!
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.
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).
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 💖
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.
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.
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!
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
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. ❤
Your belt looks identical to the Battersea shield, which is a Celtic shield. It is very La Tène. Makes you look like a Galatian!
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
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!
@@ItsAsparageese thank you so much for your lovely comment and acknowledgement of my vulnerability ☺️ if you’d like to hear a more complete mental health story, I open up I think the most about my life in the video, “Telling You the Truth.”
@@VBirchwood Thank you! I'll definitely check it out 😊
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
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!
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!
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.
Hey! Curls are so much easier with either a silk pillow case or bonnet. You won’t wake up with knots, I promise. ❤
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.
*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 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!
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 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 ❤❤❤
The chitons are so beautiful ❤️❤️❤️❤️ and they look quite comfortable. My favorite is the light blue one~
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
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! :)
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!
Thank you for being vulnerable. It just shows how strong and relatable and inspiring you are. :)
I REALLY like that day 27 outfit! My favorite shade of green, comfy looking dress, and cool as heck belt. Nice work.
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.
I just discovered your channel, and I'm amazed by the quality and realism of your creations. Thank you for sharing!
This was amazing, thank you!🥰
Thanks so much for the support! :)
Making a peplos style dress this year was not on my bingo card for 2024 but I feel so inspired to make one now.
V, please keep the puns. I nearly fell off my couch because I laughed so hard. You're awesome! ^^
Hahaha thank you for the feedback on them! I'm glad others find them funny as well :)
That Battersea Belt Buckle is awesome!
This was such a fun video! Love your content as always :)
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 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.
I need a chiton, and I need it right now ❤
Mega cool project, I am so hooked.
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!!!
You are adorable my Dear. Without sounding weird, I was really proud of you for taking on the clothes women wore during their periods in the old days. It was very informative. Even for a guy we wonder about these things. Keep up the great work my Dear.
This is beautiful, love your outfits here! 1, 12, 26, and 29 are among my faves, but....they all look awesome.
I love that you don't shy away from talking about historical undergarments. It's something that I'm interested in learning about but information is hard to find. I have so many problems with modern clothing (the clothing itself and also size) and as someone who picked up 49% Greek genes from my parents, I can tell the flowy, loose clothing of the ancients will suit my body better (especially since I'm in Australia. This heat is NOT forgiving on modern clothing 💀)
Fascinating video as always! Thanks!
i watch the video because i like the cloths and the style. but to be honest i just like seeing people being happy
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.
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 wish you a miraculous recovery from that chronic disease! May you flourish and keep enjoying a productive long life with your loved ones!
Algorithm blessed me with this video and this channel, THE BAD PUN WAS SO AMAZING.
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!
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 😊
Sharing this with all my greek mythology friends!
Been loving the diversity in the garments you showcase. Excited to see what may come next!!
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'm so glad my partner discovered your channel and introduced it to me 🐱
Welcome welcome! Glad you're here :)
omg, i love the orange chiton!!!!!
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!
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.
Good ol' 'pale and interesting'...😊
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! 😸👍
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.
Unless you make them yourself
These are gorgeous ! I wish that it was more widely accepted to wear historical clothing in day to day life, of course not to a ridiculous extent. This video was lovely !
4:25 The execution of that sick joke was sick! I was actually busting up laughing!
I’m three times your age and have great admiration for everything I’ve seen you do. Keep on keeping on. Blessings on your journey 🥰🥳
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.
So I read this as boats instead of boots
@@anikaphillips1372 With a bit of wax you could turn them into toy boats I guess...
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
Great video! I tried something similar with cross-fit workouts in my garden during the Covid summer and winter months. I wore a hand-sewn linen Chiton fitted with a braided cord belt above the navel.
The chiton on its own was perfect for the hot/humid weather. I went barefoot as the heat made it doable. I kept a pitcher of water with me throughout the workouts.
I added a wool Klamys and foot-wraps in the winter months with a “Greek” pair of leather sandals. I was surprised how warm I remained despite my arms and thighs being exposed to rain and light snow.
Additionally, the Kettle-bell, steel-mace, javelin toss, and bodyweight exercises were perfect for countering said inclement weather.
Overall the kit is cheap, light, and very comfortable. Highly recommend for any fellow home-gym/history enjoyers out there ;)
so much beauty! wonderful science and history. I'd love to have a greek outfit
The PUNS! Oh gods - that was so bad I HAD to subscribe! Loved it.
So that's what they're called, the strothian, I first came across them whilst dressing my character in AC Odyessey.
I cannot stop smiling watching your videos Vasi. This is magical!
Another interesting yet relaxing video for me to wind down for bed with ❤ Thanks for all your knowledge, honesty, and enthusiasm - you're an inspiration
love the history of clothes presented with lovely natural enthusiasm👏
Your hairstyle in the intro looks so goooood I love it
Oh I absolutely love that baby teal chiton! That colour is so sweet!
Always love your style, regardless. Those preview of the girl-herder style... absolutely loved that as well... so sweet...
Back when I went to Greece, I bought a pair of Greek shoes too. The "gladiator shoes" I brought there broke. And yes, they were thin, but SO comfortable! And lasted me so many years! It was great! Love your experience. Hope you can incorporate them into your daily style as well... I wish I would just be bolder and do the same as you, just sew some chiton/peplos by myself using a fabric I love and😢 wear.....
The bra however, does not look comfortable at all. I would like to make a suggestion, for you to try the ancient chinese inner wear "du dou" one of these days.... and experiment with ancient chinese clothes.... if you're interested!
Gasp all of these garments are GORGEOUS I wish I could get my own!
They are very simple to make! Tubes of fabric and straight stitches and whip stitches.
Girl, you are living The ✨Dream✨
I adore your videos.
You yourself are already lovely and your voice is both engaging and soothing, but your personality is also so refreshing!
I’m an amateur world-builder in the ttrpg scene (very amateur), and videos like this are invaluable to helping me understand the mentality and needs of real people wearing real ancient clothing. Your adventures and insights bring my imagination to life!
Thank you for loving yourself enough to pursue what you want even when your condition makes it difficult! Your determination helps me get off my butt and get back to doing what I love even when I am in a block or depressed!
And yes you look very cute in ALL of the outfits! How do you spell it, keaton? Like the actor 😂 I don’t know!
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.
Certainly! Trade went back and forth in the Mediterranean world.
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?
You're such a beautiful human being. Your channel is wonderful. Thank you 😊