Dressing the Minoan Lady

Or, how an open-front bodice is a key wardrobe component!

Last week I prattled on for a bit about nudity in the ancient and modern world, as part of my exploration of Minoan clothing. This week, I’m continuing the subject with part two on the Minoan Path blog, so check it out if you’d like to see some images and details about the more “covered” aspects of Minoan fashion, from tiered wrap skirts to long robes and even corded petticoats:

Minoan Clothing: Bronze Age Fashion, part two

The nudity aspect applies this week as well, though, since the famous open-front tops are also part of Minoan fashion. Obviously, that’s not something we can do in any kind of public forum these days, hence my covered-ness in the photo above. That’s me sporting my very theatrical Minoan ritual ensemble. I made it years ago to wear during a torchlit ritual, hence all the (totally not historically accurate) gold lamé accents, which glow magnificently in that kind of light.

Recreating the clothing of an ancient culture is one way to connect with the culture and its deities. A few people have done different versions of Minoan clothing. Here, for instance, is a historical costumer who has created what she calls a Minoan-Mycenaean capsule wardrobe:

As you can see, the cut of her clothing is quite loose, especially through the torso and sleeves, compared to the way the clothes fit in the 3D figurines I shared in my blog post. The people at the Minoan Theater in Crete have made dance costumes that have a fit that looks a little more accurate, though I’m guessing the materials they use probably aren’t the same as the ones the Minoans had:

There are so many different ways to create the vibe of ancient clothing, whether we want to be down-to-the-thread accurate or simply to offer the feeling and general visual impact of the ancient garb. Either way, dressing the part can help us connect with another time and place, the culture and the deities. And that gives an added dimension of meaning to our spiritual practice.

Do you wear special clothing for any aspect of your spiritual practice? Does it hark back to a prior era or culture? How does that help you connect with the deities and other spirit beings on your path?

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About Laura Perry

I'm an author, artist, and creator who works magic with words, paint, ink, music, textiles, and herbs. I'm also the founder and Temple Mom of Ariadne's Tribe, a worldwide inclusive Minoan spiritual tradition. My spiritual practice includes spirit work and herbalism through the lens of lifelong animism. I write Pagan / polytheist non-fiction and fiction across several different subjects and genres. I'm currently working on an illustrated book of modern Minoan myths and a Minoan entry in the Moon Books Pantheons series (release date 26 August 2025). I’m also an avid gardener and living history demonstrator.