Byzantine Men's Costume

Men

The basic garment was a fairly loose-cut tunic, usually worn about knee length. It had long, close-fitting (but not tight sleeves) and was worn belted and slightly bloused at the waist. The tunic was trimmed by wide bands of fabric or embroidery by all at the sleeves and hem; the wealthy also added trim at the neck, and biceps. For ceremonial wear, Byzantine emperors wore a very elaborate, long version to the tunic, called a talaris cut closer to the body with a slit at each side. (I will not go into detail about imperial dress, as it was very complicated and worn only by emperors, but this garment will be mentioned later). Men also wore breeches under the tunics. Sometimes for court wear these were very close fitting, but they were normally loose enough to slightly blouse when tucked into the tops of boots or when cross-gartered. Cloaks were as much a dress accessory as a protectant against bad weather. The usually semi-circular chlamys was hung over the left arm and fastened on the right shoulder with a fibula. The chlamys was always decorated with the tablion, a rectangular patch of contrasting-colour fabric which was embroidered in court dress, on the front and back edges.