Fraternities are not the only place to wear a toga. Lots of people choose funky costumes and dress-ups for family gatherings, Halloween, and other occasions. And of course, a toga is relatively simple, but it's more than just a bed sheet.

Sheets can fill in for an emergency costume that you forgot, but they can get stepped on and torn, and good sheets are expensive these days. Not to mention, some of the patterns of Victorian roses and Barbie, are hardly conducive to a regal Roman appearance. Your best bet is to get some plain cotton or other material on sale. If you check out fabric centers, they frequently have marked down rolls or "ends" that are going cheap.

But a good toga for an average size adult, will take a minimum of four yards and up to six yards to create the best draping. Make sure it's material that is 60" wide too, because anything less will make the toga too short.

Have a section cut that is six yards long, then fold it in half by the width, so you have a rectangular piece of cloth that is 30" wide, and six yards long. Start by placing one end of the long, horizontal length, at your right hip. Wrap the cloth loosely around your waist, once, and pin when it comes around the right hip again. Next, throw the material up over your left shoulder, making sure to leave a nice drape in front. Bring it back under your right arm, and pin it again, at your right hip.

The way you wrap it can be reversed of course, starting at the left hip, and you can use a shorter or longer piece, depending on your height. You might also choose to cut the width, so the toga does not hang below your knees if you're a man, although longer ones look good on a woman.

A last tip: wear a white T-shirt under the toga. Romans actually wore a tunic under their wraps, and it's a little chilly and somewhat revealing, if you don't