Ancient Egyptian fashion refers to clothing worn in ancient Egypt from the end of the Neolithic period (prior to 3100 BC) to the collapse of the Ptolemaic dynasty with the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC. Egyptian clothing was filled with a variety of colors. Adorned with precious gems and jewels, the fashions of the Ancient Egyptians were made for not only beauty but also comfort. Egyptian fashion was created to keep cool while in the hot desert.[1]
The pardalide (made of a leopard skin) was traditionally used as the clothing for priests.
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In ancient Egypt, linen was by far the most common textile. It helped people to be comfortable in the subtropical heat.[2] Linen is made from the flax plant by spinning the fibres from the stem of the plant.[3] Spinning, weaving and sewing were very important techniques for all Egyptian societies.[4] Plant dyes could be applied to clothing but the clothing was usually left in its natural color.[5]Wool was known, but considered impure. Only the wealthy wore animal fibers that were the object of taboos. They were used on occasion for overcoats, but were forbidden in temples and sanctuaries.
Peasants, workers and other people of modest condition often wore nothing, but the shenti (made of flax) was worn by all people. Slaves often worked naked.
The most common headdress was the klaft or nemes, a striped cloth worn by men.
Royal clothing is particularly well documented, as well as the clothing and crowns of the Pharaohs.The pharaohs would wear leopard skins over their shoulders and added a lion’s tail to hang from their belt.[6]
From about 2130 BC during the Old Kingdom, garments were simple.[7] The men wore wrap around skirts known as the Shendyt, which were belted at the waist, sometimes pleated or gathered in the front.[8] During this time, men's skirts were short. As the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, 1600 B.C., came, the skirt was worn longer.[9] Then, around 1420 BC, there was a light tunic or blouse with sleeves, as well as a pleated petticoat.
During the Middle Kingdom it became the fashion for men and women to wear a short skirt known as the kalasiris, under their long sheer skirt.[10]
During the Old, Middle and New Kingdom, Ancient Egyptian women often wore simple sheath dresses.[11] The dresses were held up by one or two straps and were worn down to the ankle and sometimes above or below the breast.[12] The length of the dress denoted the social class of the wearer.[13] Beading or feathers were also used as an embellishment on the dress.[14] Over the dress, women had a choice of wearing shawls, capes, or robes. The shawl was a piece of cloth around 4 feet wide by 13 or 14 feet long.[15] This was mostly worn pleated as well.[16] Female clothes only changed slightly through the millennia. Draped clothing (with many varieties of drapery) sometimes gave the impression of completely different clothing. It was made of haïk, a very fine muslin.
Children didn't wear clothing until puberty.[17] Once they turned six years old they were allowed to wear clothing to protect them from the dry heat.[18] A popular hairstyle among the children was the side-lock on the right side of the head.[19] Even though children didn't usually wear clothing, they wore jewelry such as anklets, bracelets, collars, and hair accessories.[20] When they grew up, they wore the same styles as their parents.
Wigs, common to both genders, were worn by wealthy people of society. Made from real human and horse hair, they had ornaments incorporated into them. In the royal court, women sometimes wore cuplets filled with perfume. Heads were shaved; Egyptians were the only ancient people to systematically practice hair removal. To them, this represented humanity, by opposition to animality, which was symbolized by hair.
Jewelry was very popular in Ancient Egypt, no matter what your social class. It was heavy and rather voluminous. The Egyptians became very skilled when making jewelry from turquoise, metals like gold and silver, and small beads.[21] Both men and women adorned themselves with earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces and neck collars that were brightly colored.[22] Those who couldn't afford jewelry made from gold or other stones would make their jewelry from colored pottery beads.[23]
One creation that was specific to ancient Egypt was the gorgerine, an assembly of metal discs worn on the chest, either over bare skin or over a shirt, and attached in the back.
Embalming allowed the development of cosmetics and perfumes. The perfumes of Egypt were the most numerous, but also the most sought and the costliest of antiquity, which used them extensively. The Egyptians used makeup most of all the ancient people. Nails and hands were painted with henna. Tattoos were used only by lower-class people.
Black kohl, which was used to mark eyes, was obtained from galena. Eye shadow was made from crushed malachite. Red, which was applied to lips, came from ochre. These products were mixed with animal fat to make them compact and to preserve them. They wore galena or crushed malachite not just to enhance beauty, but because they believed it kept dust and dirt from getting into their eyes. For this reason, both men and women wore it.
Findings were published by American Chemical Society in the journal Analytic Chemistry suggest that the use of lead in makeup was intentional. Findings suggest that the lead in combination with salts produced naturally by the body produce nitric oxide which boosts the immune system. It is believed that the production and result were intentional. The increase in immune productivity would help to prevent infections like conjunctivitis.[24]
Footwear was the same for both genders. It consisted of sandals of leatherwork, or for the priestly class, papyrus. Since Egyptians were usually barefoot, sandals were worn on special occasions or at times when their feet might get hurt.[25]
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