I was watching the absolutely amazing show "Rome" and noticed that Cato (Cato the Younger) never wears a white and red toga while in the Senate. He always wears a dark colored toga. Is there any historical reason for this?
From Plutarch:
And in general Cato esteemed the customs and manners of men at that time so corrupt, and a reformation in them so necessary, that he thought it requisite, in many things, to go contrary to the ordinary way of the world. Seeing the lightest and gayest purple was then most in fashion, he would always wear that which was the nearest black; and he would often go out of doors, after his morning meal, without either shoes or tunic; not that he sought vain-glory from such novelties, but he would accustom himself to be ashamed only of what deserves shame, and to despise all other sorts of disgrace.
He is wearing a toga pulla or a mourning toga. One could also be worn as a protest or as a sign of anxiety or nervousness, as when Cicero was exiled the senate wore them as a statement. Just as a note togas most weren't white pure but undyed wool and as such could a variety of colors depending on the sheep used. Only people running for office wore pure white (toga candida) so as to distinguish themselves from the crowd at political rallies or when surrounded by clients. Further, the other senators should not be wearing togas with a purple stripe, that's for freeborn boys, magistrates, a feew priestly offices and dictators.
If I may ask another question regarding costumes on Rome: what significance was there to the symbols on a cuirass? Were these similar to a family sigil? Or was it more a fashion/style choice?