Fashion in EB's time

[Andros Antonius]

Well, I heard togas were all the rage back then, especially at Roman frat parties.

But seriously, fashion might have varied more between cultures at the time than today because they were more isolated, but definitely changed less over time than in modern times. It wasn't even till like the 19th or 20th centuries that fashions began noticeably changing each decade or so, but you're right about certain clothings staying popular over the years, like suits for formal occasions.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Well, I heard togas were all the rage back then, especially at Roman frat parties.

But seriously, fashion might have varied more between cultures at the time than today because they were more isolated, but definitely changed less over time than in modern times. It wasn't even till like the 19th or 20th centuries that fashions began noticeably changing each decade or so, but you're right about certain clothings staying popular over the years, like suits for formal occasions.

That's not really true, on either side. Until the last century, most clothing you wore was dictated by formal rules relating to your job/social postion. Such clothing has changed very little, and tends to cycle. What HAS changed more often is the clothes we wear casually, though even then men has worn trousers consistantly for 150 years.

On the other side, classical and medieval fashion changed fairly often, beards, for example, were barbarian until Hadrian, Julius Caesar was (in)famous for his elaborate long-sleeved tunics, etc.

[Andros Antonius]

Yeah, I guess you have a point about the social class based fashion over the years. But I meant mostly casual and leisure clothing in recent times. Like we tend to even look at or define recent decades based on the clothing styles (e.g. the 70s style). Albeit, they probably didn't change that drastically, as trousers are still trousers.The beard went in and out of fashion too, like in the wig-wearing colonial times almost no one had it, and in the Victorian era it came back. Now it's not as popular but many people have it.

Anyway I didn't really know that about how fast fashion changed in Roman times. Interesting to know. From what I've seen, the beard was popular with Romans early in their Republic and it went away for a long time until Hadrian and later emperors like Marcus Aurelius. I guess people will always desire change after a while.