Tunic A tunic is any of several types of garment for the body , usually simple in style , reaching from the shoulders to a length somewhere between the hips and the ankles . The name derives from the Latin " tunica , " the basic garment worn by both men and women in Ancient Rome , which in turn was based on earlier Greek garments . Roman tunic . The Roman " tunica " was adopted from the Greek in the 3rd Century BCE . It was worn by citizens and non - citizens alike ; citizens , though , might wear it under the toga , especially at formal occasions . The length of the garment , the presence or lack of stripes , as well as their width and ornamentation , would indicate the wearer ' s status in Roman society . Soldiers , slaves and manual workers generally had tunics to a little above the knee ; those in more sedentary occupations to about the ankle ( unless they were expecting to ride a horse , when a shorter one would be worn ) . The tunic or chiton was worn as a shirt or gown by both genders among the ancient Romans . The body garment was loose - fitting for males , usually beginning at the neck and ending above the knee . A woman ' s garment could be either close fitting or loose , beginning at the neck and extending over a skirt or skirts . Greek tunic . Tunic was also worn in ancient Greece , whence the Roman version was adopted . Later Greek and Roman tunics were an evolution from the very similar chiton , chitoniskos , and exomis all of which can be considered versions of the garment . In Ancient Greece , a person ' s tunic was decorated at the hem - line to represent the city - state in which he lived . The tunics were either dyed with bright colors or bleached white . Medieval tunic . The tunic continued to be the basic garment of the Byzantine Romans of both sexes throughout the medieval period . The upper classes wore other garments atop the basic tunic , such as the " dalmatica " , a heavier and shorter type of tunic , again , worn by both sexes , or the " scaramangion " , a riding - coat of Persian origin . Except for the military or riding - dress , men and women of higher status wore tunics that came down to the ankles , or nearly so . Tunics were often dyed or richly embroidered , although the plainer ones could be used when layering different types . Beyond the reduced empire , the tunic continued to be worn with varying sleeve and hem lengths throughout Europe during the Middle Ages . Often reaching the knees or ankles , it was usually worn over underclothes consisting of a shirt ( usually hip - length or longer ) and drawers ( usually knee - or ankle - length pants related to braccae ) . It may be accompanied by hose . Wool and Linen were common fabrics used , though the wealthy sometimes wore fancy silk tunics , or a lesser fabric with silk trim . Tunics worn during the Early Middle Ages often featured decorative embroidery or tablet - woven braids along the neck , hem and wrists . This was the case , for instance , with tunics worn by both rich and poor Anglo - Saxons before the Norman Conquest . 19th century . Around 1830 , small boys began to be dressed in sashed or belted tunics over trousers , a fashion which replaced the earlier skeleton suit . During the Crimean War in the 1850s , it was realised that the waist length jackets which had been worn by British soldiers since Napoleonic times were unsuitable for fighting in winter conditions . A new longer jacket was introduced which reached down to the mid thigh and this was named the ' tunic ' after the ' tunica ' of the intrepid ancient Roman soldier . This type of jacket soon became standard for most armies . Modern tunic . In Western culture , its use continues primarily in a religious and uniform context . It is the primary garment worn by the clergy , and members of religious order s . The religious tunic reaches to the feet and was the source of the clerical cassock , as well as , in its liturgical form , the alb , after the long tunic worn by Roman citizens . The tunic , in one form or another , is also considered the traditional clothing of numerous Neo - Pagan religions , most notably Wicca , especially when combined with a cincture and a robe . ' Tunic ' is also the name often mistakenly given to the coat worn by military and police personnel . Light female garments , especially for sports or exercise , usually only coming down to mid - thigh , are also called tunics . A variation called the " Ruth Tunic " can have sleeves , although this type is rare .