Leather Cuirass

[Giannis K. Hoplite]

Hi Wolfgang.
I really enjoy this discussion!It's calm and with lots of visual proof.
My chiton is stitched in the waist(it shouldn't but I was afraid the pleats would not keep shape) and ironed under the waist.The pleats are originally stitched together in the shoulders,as shown in many vases.The pleats and the curves have a purpose.They allow free movements.If you notice,the pleats and curves exist in such place as to allow the thighs "open" the fabric,when the legs are spread.It's really comfortable!Also,ehen you sit,the frontal curve rests between your legs and covers spots that you want to remain private.It's a real pain to make though,and it took me three days to make,with the help of my mother who has experience in making clothes.
In the first picture,did you notice that Hermes' chiton has lots of small pleats.This clearly suggests that it is a very thin fabric,and in fact,linen.This,with the fact that Hermes is not obligated to wear armour,at least excludes the posibility that this garment is used as armour.
In the second one the only strange thing is that the upper part has dots(decoration)while the lower hasn't.But the belt is very clear,indicating that it is a chiton.Also,in most of the pictures the sleeves are made in the same way as in a chiton,And no matter how loose the sleeves are,we never see any portion of the undergarment.
As for the second parallel line near the waist,in my previous post I proved that in more than one cases,chitons with many pleats in the upper part,have that strange and unessesary line.
Many of the pics I posted look much like Kai's picture and I inerpretate all of them as chitons.
Finally,I believe that some chitons had the same pleats going all the way from the showlders to the lower hem,and some were made to have pleats only in the lower part,for the purpose I mentioned.And it is still possible that all paintings are actually trying to depict the same chiton(though I doubt)
Your interpretations are of course valid,proven by the fact that I posted 11 pictures without being able to convince you or the others.
Khaire
Giannis