The shirt is one of the garments with a long history, dating back to ancient Egypt and continuing to the present day. In ancient Egypt, simple shirts made from linen fabric were common. Similarly, in ancient Greece, the tunic, a loose-fitting garment, was widely worn. This tunic, characterized by its design of being fastened with brooches at the shoulders, was popular across various social strata and worn by both men and women.
Subsequently, during the Roman Empire, shirts known as tunica became widespread. In medieval Europe, while maintaining their basic shape, shirts became more elaborate with richer decorations and materials. Particularly, the dress shirt evolved through various social and cultural transformations over the centuries into the refined style we see today.During the Renaissance in the 16th century, dress shirts adorned with luxurious embroidery and lace became fashionable among the nobility. By the 19th century, influenced by the Victorian era, the modern dress shirt’s design began to take shape. Today, dress shirts are widely recognized as essential items for business and formal occasions.
This site explores the evolution of the shirt, detailing historical styles such as the Greek tunic, the Roman tunica, and the ruff, leading up to the modern dress shirt. Additionally, we will delve into the design, materials, and occasions for wearing shirts across different eras, showcasing how the shirt has developed into its current form. By tracing this history, you will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural background and fashion changes embedded in the shirt.
シャツは、古代エジプトから現代までの長い歴史を持つ衣類の一つです。古代エジプトの時代には、リネンの布を使って作られたシンプルな形のシャツが見られました。同様に、古代ギリシアでは、チュニックとして知られるゆったりとした衣装が一般的でした。このチュニックは、肩にブローチを使って留めるデザインが特徴で、男女問わず幅広い階層で愛用されました。 その後、ローマ帝国時代にはトニカとして知られるシャツが広まり、中世ヨーロッパでは、基本的な形状を維持しながらも装飾や素材が豊かになりました。特にドレスシャツは、数世紀にわたってさまざまな社会的、文化的変遷を経て、現代の洗練されたスタイルへと進化しました。 16世紀のルネサンス期には、豪華な刺繍やレースをあしらったドレスシャツが貴族の間で流行し、19世紀には、ビクトリア朝の影響で現在のドレスシャツに近い形が確立されました。今日では、ドレスシャツはビジネスやフォーマルな場に欠かせないアイテムとして広く認識されています。 本サイトでは、シャツの進化の過程を探り、ギリシアのチュニックやローマのトニカ、そしてラフといった歴史的なスタイルから、現代のドレスシャツまでを詳しく解説していきます。さらに、各時代のシャツのデザインや素材、着用される場面についても詳しく取り上げ、シャツがどのようにして現在の形に至ったのかを紹介します。歴史を辿ることで、シャツに込められた文化的背景やファッションの変遷をより深く理解していただけることでしょう。その後、ローマ帝国時代にはトニカとして知られるシャツが広まり、中世ヨーロッパでは、基本的な形状を維持しながらも装飾や素材が豊かになりました。特にドレスシャツは、数世紀にわたってさまざまな社会的、文化的変遷を経て、現代の洗練されたスタイルへと進化しました。16世紀のルネサンス期には、豪華な刺繍やレースをあしらったドレスシャツが貴族の間で流行し、19世紀には、ビクトリア朝の影響で現在のドレスシャツに近い形が確立されました。今日では、ドレスシャツはビジネスやフォーマルな場に欠かせないアイテムとして広く認識されています。
本サイトでは、シャツの進化の過程を探り、ギリシアのチュニックやローマのトニカ、そしてラフといった歴史的なスタイルから、現代のドレスシャツまでを詳しく解説していきます。さらに、各時代のシャツのデザインや素材、着用される場面についても詳しく取り上げ、シャツがどのようにして現在の形に至ったのかを紹介します。歴史を辿ることで、シャツに込められた文化的背景やファッションの変遷をより深く理解していただけることでしょう。すが、シャツの生産には依然として多くの人手が必要です。ここでは、製造工程を順に説明します。人類の歴史と叡智の集大成とも言えるこの立体的な製品をぜひ肌で感じてください。
The toga (/ˈtoʊɡə/, Classical Latin: [ˈt̪ɔ.ɡa]), a distinctive garment of ancient Rome, was a semicircular cloth between 12 and 20 feet (3.7 and 6.1 m) long, draped over the shoulders and around the body. Typically woven from white wool, it was worn over a tunic. According to Roman tradition, Romulus, the founder of Rome, favored the toga. Initially, it was worn by both sexes and the citizen-military, but as Roman women adopted the stola, the toga became formal wear exclusively for male Roman citizens. Exceptions to this rule included women guilty of adultery and those engaged in prostitution.
Different types of togas indicated the wearer’s rank within the civil hierarchy. Various laws and customs restricted its use to citizens, who were required to wear it for public festivals and civic duties. The toga evolved from a simple, practical garment to one that was voluminous, complex, and costly, becoming increasingly unsuitable for anything but formal and ceremonial use. It was considered ancient Rome’s “national costume” and had great symbolic value. However, even among Romans, it was difficult to put on, uncomfortable, and challenging to wear correctly, and it was never truly popular. Whenever possible, those entitled or obliged to wear the toga opted for more comfortable, casual garments. Over time, the toga gradually fell out of use, first among lower-class citizens, then among the middle class. Eventually, it was worn only by the highest classes on ceremonial occasions.
There are various theories about the shape of the toga, ranging from rectangular to oval. The most supported theory, based on marble statues, suggests it was shaped like an octagon cut in half. This hypothesis primarily applies to formal wear during the late Republic, and it’s unclear if everyday togas or earlier versions had this shape.When worn formally, each pleat had a specific name and required meticulous arrangement. Slaves would prepare the pleats with ancient irons the day before. Aristocratic households employed trained slaves for dressing.
Umbo (shoulder to chest)
Plicae (shoulder area)
Lacuna (feet area)
Sinus (back to waist)
The medieval tunic evolved dramatically from the simple and practical designs of the early Middle Ages, through the ornate and elegant styles of the high Middle Ages, to the complex and luxurious fashions of the late Middle Ages. This evolution reflects the social, economic, and cultural changes of each period, while also being heavily influenced by regional cultures and external interactions, leading to a wide variety of styles across Europe.
In the early Middle Ages, tunics were primarily influenced by Germanic tribes and the remnants of the Roman Empire, featuring simple designs focused on practicality. Common materials included linen and wool, with wool being particularly favored in colder regions. As the Middle Ages progressed into the high period, tunics became more decorative, incorporating embroidery, lace, and gold thread trims. The aristocracy especially adopted these more elaborate designs, which became increasingly elegant.
By the late Middle Ages, tunics had grown even more intricate, featuring ruffles, pleats, and using luxurious materials such as silk and velvet. Aristocratic tunics often displayed religious motifs or family crests embroidered into the fabric, reflecting the economic prosperity and cultural exchanges of the time.
Tunics played a crucial role in various aspects of daily life, from everyday wear to ceremonial and official events. The decorations and designs on tunics went beyond mere clothing, serving as significant indicators of the wearer’s social status and cultural background. Medieval tunics are essential for understanding European history and culture, as their evolution symbolizes the diversity and richness of medieval European society. Through the study of tunic styles, we can gain insights into the social and cultural trends of medieval Europe.
Western Europe:
In regions dominated by Germanic tribes, practical and durable designs were favored. In the Frankish Kingdom, more elaborate decorations were seen.
Byzantine Empire:
Luxurious tunics with vibrant colors and gold thread embroidery were common, and silk was also used.
Der Schneider sitzt auf einem Hocker und näht mit einer Nadel an einem auf dem Schoß liegenden roten Mantel. Vor ihm auf dem Tisch liegen Elle und Schere und vorgeschnittener Stoff für eine Hose, während fertige Kleidungsstücke, u.a. ein grünes Wams und ein paar Hosen an der Wandstange hängen. Am Boden steht ein Korb.