I Gave Myself an Ancient Greek Makeover

I gave myself an Ancient Greek makeover! This video was so much fun to put together, from hand sewing the Ionic Greek Chiton to researching Ancient Greek hair and makeup to recreate a look, to accessorising the final ensemble. Thank you so much for watching and I hope you enjoyed watching the video as much as I enjoyed making it!

Resources I utilised to help me –

Making an Ionic Chiton: @FantasticalFolliesCostuming

The book "Draping Period Costumes" by Sharon Sobel

Ancient Greek Hairstyles: @silvousplaits

Ancient Greek Makeup: @Zabrena
@NuttyHistoryOfficial

Further Reading –

Sources –

[VBirchwood]

Thank you soooo much for watching! This video was such a joy to put together. What do you think, should I dye the final garment a deeper blue colour or keep it as it is? Do you think you'll make your own chiton?

[ragnkja]

Historical fashion _must_ have aspects that are suited for hot weather, because people in hot climates had to dress for the weather in the past as well. Historical fashion is far more than Northern Europe during the little ice age.

[AntsonCitrusSugar]

17:09 I can imagine young Greek girls laughing trying to do their hair without their mothers for the first time. I imagine one girl, holding up a beautiful polished metal mirror her grandmother gifted to her, saying “No, like this!” and the other getting frustrated and then excited when she finally figures out how to hold the hair and pin it correctly.

[beckstheimpatient]

If you're interested in historic warm weather clothing, I would strongly suggest looking into what we wear in Eastern Europe. The blouses in particular. In Romania we call them "iie", in Ukrainian they're "vyshyvanka", there's Bulgarian versions, and even Hungarian versions. They're so light and airy and breathable and I bet they would fit right into your wardrobe. And making one would probably be a wonderful project to work embroidery and smocking.

[jaehaywardkent]

“there you are little pin. come back to mummy!” i’m going to say this everytime i find a pin now😂

[morgotha]

am I the only one that got a giggle out of the sponsor being bedding? All I can think of is the 80's movies where they had Toga parties and people ran around in sheets! LOL

[oldasyouromens]

In terms of later historical fashion, people forget how light and cool many layers of starched cotton or linen can be - many petticoats and farthingales/hoopskirts, etc would act like fans and conduct breezes. They took inspiration from Ancient Greek clothing also for hot weather, just adapted it to their own needs. Glad you have a summer wardrobe you really enjoy!

[rodneyferris]

It's both! The proper is your first pronunciation and the other is the anglicized pronunciation. the CH is always aspirated in Greek as is Slavic and Hebraic languages.

Love this. We've made a Roman toga and a Ancient Greek peplos. We were too intimidated by the Ionic chiton. Looks like it's worth revisiting. Happy sewing!

[boredgrass]

Timeless joy: A young women carefully prepares herself for the day and looks into a bronze mirror, or asked her sisters. Suddenly that woman steps in front of us, alive again.

[OcarinaSapphr-]

Anyone who thinks that period clothing wouldn't suit hot weather (like here in Australia), forgets that our ancestors *lived* in these clothes.
I can't remember the vintage fashion site, but I'm remembering I once saw an Edwardian dress that had been adapted to 1920's- the site noted they could tell it was period, & not a reproduction due to things like the period neckline (it was long-sleeved, & high-necked), the Art Deco-style rhinestone-buckle belt, & the shortened hem - it also noted that it didn't have the under-layers, that it would have had in the past- so it actually looked quite risqué! (as a lacy Edwardian era tea dress would...)

[ariadnew]

Pretty! As someone who has done more costume-y Ancient Greek things, the key to the buttons in the sleeves is to use ones with shanks and just sew them on inbetween the 2 sides as you sew the sleeve tops together in those specific spots. No extra sewing, no buttonholes.

[skyefirenails]

I loved this video! I'm actually a hair and makeup artist with experience doing historical work like this. Your hair didn't stay because it needed to either be in twists or plaits before going into the chignon, and then you needed to do a lot of stitches to attach the chignon to the hair on your head. A better resource is the channel Janet Stephens. She's a hair historian who has really deciphered the hairstyles of statues, and really walks you through the process. It is easier if you have someone to help you (a la a visatrix), but there are some basic ones you can do on yourself.

[elizabethclaiborne]

You want ancient Egypt, and use linen. Cotton is hot.
It’s 95 F with 90% humidity here in summer now.

[TheASMRLibraryOfficial]

You look so good in this Greek style! My favourite part of this era is how the fabric was so ruffled and baggy, it just looks so loose and comfortable but also super pretty and delicate.

[haleyhoudini]

I loved this! Also, my boyfriend's father actually reads and speaks ancient greek (he studied anciet literature). So I sent him χιτών (the garment) and asked how to say it! He had to explain via text so it might not be perfect, but he said its something along the lines of ki-TOhn. But not so hard on the oh... Almost like the o in open, but softer/rounder on the emphasized second syllable (edit: orignally said first). Also, ionian/ionic isn't said like the chemistry terms, but like eye-OH-nee-en. I'm gonna go make myself one now, yours is so gorgeous! ❤

[baron]

its fascinating how the "monobrow"(or bodyhair in generell) changed its "value" in fashion all the time... like so much... thanks for your videos and the immense research behind it!!!

[gerileemakes]

Your transformation was gorgeous! I love the freedom and vigor in your videos lately, since your big confessional video a few months ago. You seem so much happier and liberated! I feel like we are getting to know you better. Great work and thank you for sharing!

[lilykatmoon]

You look absolutely lovely. That mint green linen is beautiful. The final look is really elegant.

[elisabethm]

Check out Janet Stephens or Morgan Donner’s channels - I think they have some good hairstyle tips for the look you want. Morgan did a whole video on ancient pins.
Also, with your length of fabric, start with holding up your bun in the back and then tightly crossing the long ends over the top and tucking the ends in the back under the bun might give both the look and support your hair, as well.