Rome’s Record Toga Party Attempt Comes With Some Specific Guidelines
When the city of Rome and all its toga-wearing inhabitants attempt to break the record for the world’s largest toga party, officials will be on hand to make sure each toga meets a set of specific toga guidelines.
The event, planned for Saturday, Sept. 5, at The Forum in downtown Rome, is part of a series of event’s celebrating the 175th birthday of the city. To break the record, 2,167 people will have to show up in the appropriate dress, and a Guiness Book of World Records will be checking to be sure.
Downtown Development Director Ann Arnold says the record of 2,166 is currently held by Cottage Grove, Ore., where the ultimate party movie “Animal House” was filmed.
The guidelines for the proper toga are as follows:
• All participants must wear their own toga costume and cannot share.
• All participants must wear the toga costume for the entirety of the attempt.
• The toga costume can only be in white. However, accessories are allowed.
• No street clothes may be worn under the toga costume, but a traditional tunic is allowed under the toga.
• All participants must be in position simultaneously and remain so for a minimum of 12 minutes.
• A loud start and finish signal recognized by all participants must be used.
• The name of the organization making the attempt must be given, along with the date and place.
• Only official toga costumes will be allowed in The Forum for the count.
• The first 2,200 participants will receive a souvenir event button.
A toga is defined as a loose draped outer garment worn in public by citizens of ancient Rome. It was made from an oval-shaped piece of material, traditionally white and had voluminous folds. It consisted of a one piece long sash of cloth that could be worn over a tunic.
In early times it was worn directly on the naked body, then later a simple tunic was added and tied at the waist with a belt. Colors were sometimes used to reflect mourning or position. It was associated with peace; and served as the state dress for Romans who were acting in public, civic, and other official functions, the emperor, senators and other high officials.
A tunic is a loose fitting cloak extending to the hips or knees, sometimes worn under the toga.
Below are instructions for making your own toga for the event:
• Ideally, a toga should not be made from a sheet, as the toga cloth is basically long and narrow. It is just as easy to go to the fabric store, and purchase 4-6 yards of white fabric, any type.
• Hold the fabric parallel to the ground behind your back (like if you were drying off with a towel) with one end at your waist. Pin to your Tunic, if wearing one, or underwear.
• Wrap the fabric around your waist once or twice, and then pin it at waist. Should hang about the knees.
• Throw the remainder of the fabric over your left shoulder, then around your back.
• Secure it at your waist with a pin, a belt, a scarf, this is where you can get creative.
• Most ancient Romans wore a tunic under their toga. Do not wear street clothes.
• Yes, you may accessorize.
Click here for complete a schedule of events celebrating Rome’s 175th birthday.
