How to make a Roman costume
(if you are female)

Every day fans ask me 'How can I make myself a toga?'
Well, maybe not every day, but frequently.
I first set them straight. Men and boys wore togas, which you can make with a big sheet. Girls NEVER wore togas (see above). Married women wore stolas and girls wore tunics (usually long-sleeved for modesty).
You can go fancy or you can just use a big belted tee-shirt. But there is a simple way to make a 'stola' or girl's tunic, too. I actually had to put this into practice once. I was on my way to an event in Newcastle and realised I'd left my costume in London. Luckily, a kind librarian donated a single sheet from her airing cupboard. I found one of those sewing kits you get free in hotels and frantically stitched it up in the back seat of the car as we drove to the event. When we arrived, my publicity manager Rowan loaned me her blue scarf and I used another scarf to tie up my hair. I added chunky ethnic jewellery and sandals and voila! I was a Roman lady...
Of course you must always carry your sponge-stick (ancient Roman toilet paper) and your copy of a Roman Mystery with you!

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