Long-sleeved tunics - when?

[Nathan Ross]

I had a look through some images from the Column of Marcus Aurelius, searching for Romans in sleeves and trousers - seems the official view of the army was still resolutely 'traditional' at that point! The Roman soldiers still wear short sleeves and (sometimes) 3/4 length breeches, while while the barbarians wear long sleeves and tight full-length trousers.

The 'eastern' auxiliary archers on the column also wear long sleeves, with shorter-sleeved tunics over the top, it looks like, and tight breeches (unlike those on Trajan's Column, who wear the famous 'robes'!)