How to Wrap a Toga

Co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

Last Updated: September 16, 2023 Fact Checked

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Once the tuxedo of the Ancient Romans, the toga is now a favorite costume at many events, including fraternity, sorority or Halloween parties. It’s also a great option for last-minute costume planners, because you can easily make one out of a bedsheet. Learn some no-sew ways you can wrap one and look like you stepped in from the past with this article.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Wrapping a Classic Toga From Behind

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Find a full, queen or king-sized flat sheet and fold it in half. If you want a longer toga, fold the sheet only a quarter.^{[1]
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With the long side of the sheet behind your back, drape one corner over one of your shoulders. Adjust the draped end until it reaches down to your waist.^{[2]
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While you hold the draped end with one hand, grab the sheet from behind your back with your other hand. Gather the fabric once it’s pulled to your front-side.^{[3]
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Holding the gathered, long fabric from your backside, wrap it around your body several times. Wrap the sheet all the way around your back, under one arm and across your chest.^{[4]
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After you wrap the long end of the sheet around your body several times, toss the final end over the shoulder you started with.
Fold, pin or bunch the material until it hits your legs where you want. It may take a few passes until you feel it lays right. Make sure you spend some time smoothing the layers and folds.^{[5]
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Use a safety pin or a decorative brooch to hold the tossed, final piece. You can also tie the ends together.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Wrapping a Classic Toga Around Your Frontside

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Find a full, queen or king-sized flat sheet and fold it in half. If you want a longer toga, fold the sheet only a quarter.
Take one end of your sheet and drape a few feet of it, front to back, over one of your shoulders. The draped end should reach down your back to your butt.^{[6]
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Holding the long end of the sheet, wrap it diagonally across your chest and under one arm. Continue wrapping across your back, under your other arm and around your chest.
Tuck the piece you’ve been wrapping (the long end) under the piece you draped over your shoulder.
Adjust the height of your toga by folding, pinning or bunching the material until it hits your legs where you want it. It may take a few passes until you feel it lays right. Spend some time smoothing the layers and folds and pin them if you need to.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Wrapping a Strapless Empire Waist Toga

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in half. Fold a sheet with the short ends together, until it is the proper length for your height. It should cover from your armpits to your legs. Decide on how much leg you want to show or cover.^{[7]
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Holding the folded sheet horizontally behind you, pull both sides underneath your arms and around to your chest. Wrap under your arms to your backside and to your front-side.
After you bring the wrapped sheet around to your chest, tuck one end into the top of the sheet, like a towel. Make sure the sheet holds snugly around your chest.
Spend some time smoothing the layers and folds. Use safety pins to hold your wrapped toga in place.
Tie a belt or rope just under the bust to help secure the wrap and make a flattering empire waist.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Wrapping a Halter Toga

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While standing, hold a sheet horizontally in front of you. Fold the sheet in half, until it is the proper length. It should cover from your armpits to your legs. Decide on how much leg you want to show or cover.^{[8]
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Holding the folded sheet horizontally in front of you, first wrap one side around your chest and then the other side, much like a towel. Leave 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 m) of one corner loose at the front of your body.
Twist the 4 foot (1.2 m) length a few times to make a rope. Run this twisted sheet over your shoulder and behind your neck. Tie the end of the twist to the sheet running across your chest.
Spend some time smoothing the layers and folds, then pin the toga onto your tube top. Take extra time to pin the halter securely.
Although optional, this adds interest. For example, tie a belt or rope just under the bust or at the natural waist. Pin a brooch on your chest just under one of the halter straps.^{[9]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Wrapping a Saree-Inspired Toga

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While standing, hold the sheet horizontally in front of you. Fold the ends together, until the sheet is the proper length for your height. It should cover from your waist to your feet.
Holding the folded sheet horizontally behind you at your waist, wrap a few feet of one end around your front-side to make a skirt and tuck the top of the skirt-end into the sheet, like a towel. Keep the rest behind your back.
While still holding the sheet at your waist wrap the longer end around to the front. When you cross the front, pin the top of the skirt together at your waist.
Continue this longer end all the way around your body, across the front of your waist, under your arm, and across your the back. Then back to the front again, under your arm.
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Toss the end over one shoulder. Once the longer end is at the front again, cross over your chest and over the opposite shoulder. The end will drape over your shoulder and rest on your back.
- If you have a rope, use it to wrap around the small of your back to secure the loose end hanging in the back.

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What size sheet should I use for a toga?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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That depends on how big you are, but a full, queen, or king-sized sheet is a good bet for most adults. For a child, you might want to use a twin or single sheet.

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What do you call a female toga?

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Women in ancient Rome typically wore a garment called a stola rather than a toga. The stola is a type of pleated, typically sleeveless dress that is fastened at the shoulders with pins and belted at the waist and just under the breasts. It was usually worn over a tunic.

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What’s the difference between a toga and a chiton?

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A chiton is a type of ancient Greek garment, although it was also worn by the Romans during some periods. A chiton is a simple rectangle of cloth that is fastened at the shoulders to form a tunic, while a true toga is a large, semi-circular cloth that is elaborately draped around the body.

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Tips

Remember the tighter your toga gets, the harder it is to walk.

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If you can, get a friend to help you put it on.

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Wear undergarments, like a white T-shirt, tube top or strapless bra.

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