Roman carnival costume for men and women Carnival costume
- Available
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Delivery time: 1 - 2 working days* (DE - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 1 - 2 working days* (DE - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 1 - 2 working days* (DE - int. shipments may differ)
Roman costumes are among the most popular fancy dress outfits for Carnival – and for good reason: with legionaries, Caesars, goddesses and gladiators, Ancient Rome offers a vast array of characters. At Vehi Mercatus, you’ll find over 180 items for men and women, ranging from simple tunics to elaborate legionary outfits made from natural fibres.
What makes a classic Roman costume?
The centrepiece of every Roman costume is the tunic – a knee-length garment that was often gathered with a belt for men. Ordinary citizens wore undyed or brown woollen tunics, whilst legionaries preferred red tones and short cuts that allowed freedom of movement. The toga, on the other hand, was the garment of prestige for Roman citizens and senators: a woolen cloth several metres long that was artfully draped around the body. For women, the stola is the female equivalent – a flowing over-dress worn over an under-dress.
Typical identifying colours are white (for the toga), red (for the military and senators), brown and burgundy. The laurel wreath as a headdress immediately signals: Caesar or a triumphator. The belt, whether a simple leather strap or an ornate military belt, paired with matching sandals – most authentically in the caligae style with interwoven leather straps – completes the look and makes the difference between a convincing Roman outfit and just any old ancient costume.
The difference between the characters lies in the details: whilst the ordinary citizen gets by with a simple white tunic and sandals, the legionnaire needs a cropped tunic, a military belt and arm guards. Caesar costumes feature a toga, a laurel wreath and gold accessories.
Roman costumes for men: legionnaire, Caesar or gladiator
For men, the focus is on three main characters: the legionnaire, Caesar and the gladiator. Each of these characters has its own visual identity, which can be clearly conveyed with the right garments.
A short tunic is ideal as a base for all three variations. The Erik short tunic – available in brown, grey, green and other colours – is made from coarse-woven cotton and costs around 33 euros. The Aegir hemp short-sleeved tunic, made from 100% cotton, offers a similarly authentic look at the same price. Both serve as a versatile foundation for a Roman costume.
The legionnaire wears a short tunic, paired with a Roman military belt (balteus) and caligae sandals. To enhance the outfit, add arm guards and a helmet. For the Caesar look, a light-coloured or white tunic combined with a toga or a red cloak, worn with a laurel wreath, is the right choice. The gladiator look is all about the shoulders – a bare torso, arm guards and a striking belt make up the outfit. The basic tunics in grey, brown or green offer the necessary colour palette for this.
Materials compared: cotton, wool and polyester
| Material | Suitability | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 100% cotton | Recommended | Most common option in the range; comfortable against the skin, easy to wash, good balance between price and comfort; typically €28–60 |
| 60–74% wool | High quality | Warmer, flowing drape, authentic look – good for cooler events; Lodin Bordeaux as an example; from approx. 50 euros |
| Polyester blend | Entry-level | Affordable entry-level option, less breathable but crease-resistant and easy-care; often found in very affordable suits under 20 euros |
Unlike many mass-market offerings, the own-brand Vehi Mercatus relies exclusively on natural fibres such as cotton, linen and wool. This is a conscious decision – synthetic materials are consistently excluded from their own range. Anyone looking for a costume for multiple events or for cooler evenings is definitely better off with a woollen tunic.
Roman costumes by budget and quality level
Simple cotton tunics, ideal for one-off or occasional use. Perfectly adequate for a single night of carnival. Often contain polyester, which isn’t a problem given the temperatures inside the hall during carnival.
Wool tunics such as the Lodin Bordeaux, better workmanship, comfortable to wear even during longer events. Can be worn multiple times and, after the season, also used for visits to medieval markets.
Brands such as Battle Merchant, Burgschneider and Vehi Mercatus’s own brand, made from pure natural fibres. For more ambitious costumes, those with a re-enactment background, or anyone who wants to use the outfit long-term. Fabrics made to your own specifications, not mass-produced.
The right accessories: sandals, belts and accessories
A Roman costume is only complete with the right accessories. The most important distinguishing feature of a legionary is the caligae sandals – leather sandals with characteristic woven straps that wrap around the foot and lower leg. In our range, you’ll find over 17 sandal styles designed specifically for the Roman look. The right Roman shoes are an essential part of the tunic if the overall look is to be authentic.
A Roman leather belt is not just for show, but also serves a practical purpose: it gathers the tunic to the correct length and holds knives, pouches or other accessories. In our Roman belts section, you’ll find various options ranging from simple leather straps to metal-studded military belts.
Optional elements such as a laurel wreath for Caesar-style appearances, arm guards for the legionnaire or gladiator look, and a helmet add the finishing touches. Those looking for a complete armour set will also find what they’re looking for in the ancient armour section. Bags and pouches can also be chosen to match Roman bags.
Roman costumes for women: Roman woman, goddess or warrior
The classic women’s costume of antiquity is based on the stola – a long, flowing over-dress in natural colours, burgundy or white. In practice, a long slip dress such as the Amalie is ideal as a base: it flows elegantly to the floor and can be shaped into a convincing Roman woman’s outfit with a drawstring fastening under the bust. This stylistic feature – the raised waistband under the bust – is the most important characteristic of the classic Roman woman’s look and distinguishes it from a simple medieval dress.
Those who prefer a bolder interpretation can take on the role of a warrior or a Diana-inspired figure: here, shorter tunics are combined with arm guards, a quiver or a bow. The colour palette in the range extends from natural shades through burgundy and green to black – there is a suitable shade for every character interpretation.
The same applies to women: the overall look only comes together with the right Roman sandals. Matching accessories such as fibulae, arm rings and a belt complete the look. In the Roman clothing section, you’ll find both individual items and ready-made outfits for women.
Whether you’re parading through the carnival as a legionnaire, Caesar or an elegant Roman woman – with the right costume and matching accessories, you’ll make the right impression. Browse our range now and put together your Roman outfit for Fasching and Carnival.
Frequently asked questions
The basic outfit consists of a tunic, a belt and matching sandals. For a legionnaire, add arm guards and, if necessary, a helmet; for a Caesar, a light-coloured tunic with a laurel wreath and a toga is often sufficient. Just three pieces are enough to create a convincing look.
For a carnival night in a warm hall, 100% cotton is perfectly adequate – it is breathable, comfortable to wear and easy to wash. If you want to use the costume several times or wear it at cooler events, opt for a wool tunic with a higher wool content, which offers a more flowing and warmer look.
Simple cotton tunics start at around €12–13 and are suitable for one-off use. Higher-quality woollen tunics cost between €35 and €60, whilst elaborate complete outfits from brands such as Battle Merchant or Burgschneider can cost up to €250. The wide price range can be easily adapted to your needs and how often you plan to use the costume.
Generally speaking, yes – tunics made from natural fibres such as cotton and wool are particularly versatile. For re-enactment events, however, historically accurate details such as specific cuts, materials and accessories are important. Cheaper carnival versions containing polyester are generally not suitable for more demanding re-enactment events.
For women, a long, flowing slip or a stole makes a good base, which can be transformed into a classic Roman dress with a drawstring fastening under the bust. Those who prefer a bolder look can dress as a warrior or Diana with a shorter tunic and arm guards. Matching sandals and accessories complete the look.