Stola

Stola is a term used for a traditional garment in ancient Rome. It referred to a long dress worn by married women over a tunica, functioning as a visible marker of status and propriety. It was typically the main outer dress for respectable women and was often accompanied by the palla when outdoors.

Construction and style: The stola was generally ankle- to floor-length and hung straight from the shoulders. It was usually fastened at the shoulders with narrow straps or seams and belted at the waist to create a series of pleats or folds at the front. Variants could be sleeved or sleeveless and sometimes featured decorative edging or embroidery, depending on era and status.

Social significance: Wearing the stola signified that a woman was a free, married Roman matrona. Unmarried women and slaves typically wore simpler tunics. The accompanying palla—a long outer wrap—was commonly used when a woman left the house.

Historical development and decline: The stola appears in sources from the Republic through late antiquity, evolving in cut and decoration over time. Its prominence waned as Roman dress transformed in late antiquity and with changing social customs.

See also: Roman clothing, Tunica, Toga.