Halloween costume Roman men and women
- Available
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Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
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Delivery time: 8 - 10 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 8 - 10 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
- Available
-
Delivery time: 3 - 5 working days* (GB - int. shipments may differ)
Roman Halloween Costumes – Men and Women
A Roman costume for Halloween combines two things that go well together: a fascination with one of the most powerful cultures of antiquity and the desire for a costume that is more than just a hastily thrown-together outfit. Whether simple Roman clothing, centurion armour or a complete legionnaire set – here you’ll find Roman costumes for men and women made from materials that remain comfortable to wear even after hours of use.
Halloween and the Romans: what do they have in common?
Halloween has Celtic roots: the festival of Samhain on 31 October marked the Celtic New Year and was considered the night when the boundary between the living and the dead becomes blurred. The ancient Celts simply called their festival on 31 October Samhain – a term from Old Irish meaning ‘end of summer’.
The Romans did not invent Halloween – but they did have a significant influence on the festival. Following the conquest of Celtic territories, the Roman festival of the dead, Feralia, and the harvest festival in honour of the goddess Pomona blended with existing Samhain customs. Over the centuries, this fusion gave rise to what we know today as Halloween. The origins of Halloween therefore do not lie in a single culture, but in the encounter and intermingling of Celtic, Roman and, later, Christian traditions.
The question “Did the Romans celebrate Halloween?” can therefore be answered in a nuanced way: they celebrated their own festivals of the dead, such as Feralia and Lemuria, which came into contact with Celtic traditions – but Halloween as we know it only emerged from this blending. A Roman costume for Halloween is therefore not only stylish, but also has a genuine historical connection: antiquity and the festival share a common history.
The Roman costume for women: stola, palla and more
The basis for women is the tunic – the long-sleeved version with red embroidery on a white background, made from 100% cotton, natural and elegant. Historically, Roman women wore the stola over the tunic, along with the palla as a cloak. Both can be easily recreated using drapery from the range, resulting in a harmonious, recognisable image of a patrician or bourgeois woman.
Accessories make all the difference: a large dark brown leather bag, jewellery with an antique look and matching Roman shoes – caligae or open sandals – complete the women’s costume authentically. Those wishing to expand the outfit further will also find suitable additions in the Roman bags.
The Roman costume for men: from the tunic to the legionary armour
The Roman long-sleeved tunic, red embroidered and made from 100% cotton, is the ideal starter piece – available in sizes S to XXL, ready to wear straight away without any further accessories. Add a simple Roman knife or a leather pouch – and you have a recognisable costume.
Subarmalia (padded jacket as a base for armour), cingulum (leather legionary belt with brass fittings) and Roman caligae sandals combine to create a harmonious centurion outfit. The Late Roman centurion belt adds a striking visual accent.
Steel gladiator collars, leather or brass muscle armour, phalerae made of tin-plated brass – the more pieces, the more convincing the overall look. The Lorica Hamata can be completed with brass hook-and-eye sets. This is no longer just a Halloween costume, but reenactment-quality equipment.
Materials at a glance: What makes a good Roman costume?
The choice of materials determines how long a costume lasts – and how it still feels after three hours of partying. Synthetic costume fabrics lose their shape and colour quickly; natural materials not only last the whole evening, but also the next season.
| Material | Suitability | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 100% cotton | Historical | Long-sleeved tunics, breathable and skin-friendly |
| Vegetable-tanned cowhide leather | Historical | Caligae, cingulum, pera, muscle armour |
| Brass | Historical | Belt fittings, phalerae, lorica hooks and buttons |
| 100% steel (EN45) | Historical | Spatha, gladiator collar – suitable for re-enactment |
| Tin-plated brass | Historical | Phalerae including focale and torques |
Price ranges: What can I get for which budget?
Individual items such as a large leather pouch (from €12.56), an antique utility knife (from €12.60) or a simple tunic – enough for a recognisable costume. Hook-and-eye sets for the Lorica Hamata also start in this price range.
A long-sleeved tunic with embroidery (€50.41) plus Caligae sandals makes for a complete, harmonious basic costume. The steel gladiator collar also falls within this price range and instantly elevates the outfit to another level.
Cingulum (€184.87), phalerae made of tin-plated brass (€252.09), brass muscle armour (€239.49) – this is re-enactment quality that lasts far beyond Halloween. Investing here means you’ll have gear for markets, themed parties and events.
Roman, gladiator or centurion – which character suits you?
Roman citizen / patrician
Tunic, cloak or palla, leather sandals – elegant and without armour. The civilian version, which can be put together quickly and works for both men and women.
Legionary & Centurion
Tunic, cingulum, caligae – the legionary. Add muscle armour, phalerae and an officer’s belt to become the centurion: the centre of attention at any party, with significantly more visual impact.
Gladiator
Steel gladiator collar, subarmalia as a base, ancient sword at the side – this combination needs no further explanation. For couples: Gladiator and Patrician can be put together from a single category.
Good to know: Roman costumes are also ideal for carnival and themed parties
Whether you’re just looking for a tunic or want to put together a complete centurion set – the selection ranges from simple starter pieces to re-enactment-quality armour parts. Take a look at the 45 items in the category and put together your own Roman costume – for Halloween, Carnival or simply because antiquity deserves to stay alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Romans did not celebrate Halloween in the modern sense, but they did have their own festivals of the dead, such as Feralia and Lemuria. Following the conquest of Celtic territories, these Roman festivals merged with the Celtic Samhain custom on 31 October. Over the centuries, this blending of cultures developed into what we know today as Halloween.
No, Halloween originally dates back to the Celtic festival of Samhain. The Romans did not invent it, but contributed to the festival’s development through their expansion into Celtic territories. Their festivals of the dead and harvest celebrations blended with Samhain customs, thus laying part of the cultural foundation for Halloween.
The Celtic festival on 31 October was called Samhain, which comes from Old Irish and roughly means ‘end of summer’ or ‘end of the summer’. It marked the Celtic New Year and was considered the night when the boundary between the world of the living and the dead was particularly thin.
The basic costume consists of an embroidered long-sleeved tunic and Roman caligae sandals – this alone makes for a recognisable, authentic outfit. If you want to go the extra mile, add a cingulum (legionary belt), subarmalia (padded jacket) and muscle armour. Accessories such as phalerae, a leather pouch or a spatha complete the look as a centurion or gladiator.
Yes, most items in this category are versatile. Tunics, caligae and belts are just as suitable for carnival, school projects or re-enactment events. Leather and metal items – such as the muscle armour or phalerae – are made to re-enactment standards and will last far beyond a single party.