Thanks to the wonderful Kickstarter backer who commissioned this costume, the dream can be yours. The Vestal Virgin is the second Special Request costume from our Kickstarter campaign (the first was Lasiren). The very generous sponsor of this costume prefers to remain anonymous, but thank you!

The great thing about this costume is that it’s so easy and versatile. We give you instructions on how to make it authentic, but all you really need to pull off the basic look are a few white bedsheets and some red and white yarn. You can see from the pictures we include on the costume page that modern reenactors in Italy all have their own way of interpreting Vestal attire, so you don’t have to get too hung up on the details. The four basic elements of the costume are:

• A chiton or tunic, which you can pin together from white bedsheets;
• Another white bedsheet wrapped around you as a shawl (the palla);
• A rectangle of white cloth draped over your head as a veil (don’t bother adding a red border if you’re in a hurry);
• Thick red and white yarn braided together and wrapped around your head.

And voilà! You’re a Vestal Virgin.

Of course, if you do want to get hung up on the details, we’ve tried to supply enough guidance for you to put together a reasonably authentic look. You’ll be able to officiate at your local Vestalia celebration with confidence.

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