toga

The 1930s-era news accounts describe lavish parties with male servers draped in togas.

But before them, Caesar decreed that only Caesars could wear togas dyed completely purple.

Before the Pogues, MacGowan toyed with playing Cretan music, with making rock seasoned with industrial noise, even with starting an imperial-Rome act where band members would wear togas and gladiator outfits.

An oversized floral print on a draped toga dress seemed to capture the Beatles’ psychedelic era, almost transporting wearers to London’s Camden vintage shops.

No matter how skilled a participant might be at this dignified activity, the result would necessarily be floors, walls and togas splattered with sticky purple stains.