Egyptian Clothing

Egyptian clothing and style has been a part of fashion for as long as one can go back in history. The clothes were made of linen and other fibers to make them comfortable in the hot climate of the desert. The clothes were not only comfortable, but fashionable, being adorned with precious gems and jewels.

The hot Egyptian climate and mild winters favored light clothing made of plant fibers most commonly linen, a few items were made of wool. Linen was the most important textile, produced from flax plant by spinning the fibers from the stem of the plant. The main techniques of Egypt were spinning, weaving and sewing. Plant dyes were sometimes used to produce red, yellow or blue threads, but were usually left in its natural color.

Clothes were expensive, and the hot desert climate of Egypt, people often wore as little clothing as possible. Peasants, workers and other people of modest condition often wore nothing, but the shenti was worn by all people. Slaves often worked naked.

The royals and the priests had particular clothing for occasions. The pharaohs and the priests wore
 leopard skins over their shoulders and a lion’s tail hanging from the belt.

Everyday clothing in the ancient Egypt was simple. The men generally wore a loin cloth, wrap around skirt known as the shendyt, which resembled a kilt. Children under the age of six wore no clothing except wearing jewelry such as anklets, bracelets, collars, and hair accessories. It was only after the age of six that they were allowed to wear clothes to protect themselves from dry heat.

The ancient Egyptian women wore simple sheath dresses; called kalasiris. It was a rectangular piece of cloth was folded once and sewn down the edge to make a tube and was just a few inches above the ankles. Some believe that the sheath dresses were made in such a manner that exposed the breasts, while there are also people who argue that the two strap dresses worn by women were draped in such a manner that covered the breasts. The dresses were adorned with beading and feathers as an embellishment to the dress. Over the dress the women had a choice of wearing shawls, capes or robes.

Wigs were worn by wealthy people ad were commonly worn by both the genders. They were usually made of real human and horse hair and had some ornament incorporated into them.

In ancient Egypt jewelry was worn by everyone irrespective of their social class. The Egyptians were very skilled in making jewelry from turquoise, metals like gold and silver, and small beads. Both men and women adorned themselves with bright colored ornaments like earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces, etc. Those who could not afford jewelry made from gold or other stones would make their jewelry from colored 

pottery beads.

The Egyptians were very developed in terms of cosmetics. The perfumes of Egypt were the costliest of antiquity and were used extensively.  The Egyptians used makeup most of all the ancient people. Henna was used to paint nails and hands. Black kohl and eve makeup were also extensively used by both men and women.

People in Egypt were usually bare foot except for special occasions. Footwear, Sandals of woven leather, were common for both men and women.