Byzantium and Islam: Age of Transition  March 14–July 8, 2012
Both Roman-style tunics and Central Asian–inspired tailored
garments were worn in Byzantium's southern provinces from late
antiquity into the early Islamic era, as proven by scientific
testing of burial finds. Roman tunics were usually made of linen
or wool and could be long or short, with or without sleeves.
Simple tunics were generally layered under more elaborate ones
decorated with symmetrical ornaments on the shoulders and at the
knees, including ornamental bands (clavi), roundels (orbiculi),
and squares (tabulae). Tunics were shaped by belts and draping.
Men and women wore cloaks; women wore scarves and veils as well.
During the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, tunics of
brightly colored fabrics, with separately woven and applied
elaborate decorative elements, were widely popular. Central
Asian–inspired Sasanian tailored garments consisted of a shirt,
caftan, coat, trousers, gaiters, boots, and headgear. The shirts
and coats had flared