Clothing Styles of the Ancient Egyptians
A tour through the changing clothing and fashions of Ancient Egypt.
When you picture Ancient Egypt, you might imagine statuesque pharaohs draped in ornate headdresses, golden jewelry, and elegant white linen. But while Ancient Egyptian societies revolved around their royal family, you might wonder: what was everyone else wearing? And how did their clothing change over Egypt’s thousands of years of power? Let’s take a closer look.
Changing Styles of Ancient Egypt
When we talk about the fashions of Ancient Egypt, it’s important to remember that this impressive Kingdom lasted, through various dynasties, for almost 3000 years. Its semi-mythical founder, Narmer or Menes, unified Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom around 3000 BCE. Independent Pharaonic rule would only come to an end in 332 BCE, with the conquests of Alexander the Great. Over that vast time period, Egypt saw many changes in technology, culture, and commerce, all of which impacted common fashions. For our purposes here, we’ll mostly examine the clothing styles of Egypt’s New Kingdom era, c. 1570 - 1069 BCE. This period represents Egypt at the height of its wealth and influence.
Clothing of Common Ancient Egyptian People
Due to its hot climate, Egypt’s common people didn’t need to wear a lot of clothing. People who worked outdoors, such as farmers and laborers, even sometimes worked in the nude or with a light loincloth. Many, however, wore more elaborate outfits. The typical piece of clothing for men was a knee-length kilt or skirt wrapped around the waist. Women, meanwhile, wore long sheath dresses. Dresses for women varied in their coverage but usually fell to the ankles. Some began at the neck, while others left a shoulder or a single breast bare. Others began below the breasts and were supported by two thick straps around the neck.
These basic fashions persisted throughout much of Ancient Egyptian history, varying mainly in their details. Across the centuries, linen was the fabric of choice, valued for its light weight, breathability, and the ease of growing flax. Leather and wool were also sometimes used, particularly for accessories such as sandals. Ancient Egypt’s working classes wore linen made from coarser fibers, while the upper classes enjoyed finer fabrics.
Clothing of the Ancient Egyptian Upper Classes
Because they spent less time toiling, Egypt’s wealthier families could invest in more elaborate and delicate clothing. By the New Kingdom, for example, fancier clothes were typically pleated. Linen refining grew so advanced that women wore translucent dresses and men gauzy robes over their kilts. Women sometimes covered their hair with a linen shawl or more ornate headdresses. Gold, which was abundant in Egypt and Nubia, featured heavily in jewelry and ornaments, along with precious stones.
Grooming and Cosmetics in Ancient Egypt
The Ancient Egyptians prized cleanliness and went to great pains to groom themselves. Both men and women used cosmetics such as perfume and eyeliner. Most men and women also shaved their heads and wore wigs. Hair removal could even extend to the entire body. The Ancient Egyptians bathed regularly and coated their bodies with fragrant oils. They also decorated their hands and faces with red ochre, various eyeshadows, and henna.
Because they associated beauty with spiritual purity, the Ancient Egyptians attributed real health benefits to the usage of cosmetics. And, indeed, some of the materials they combined to produce makeup may have had actual immune-boosting properties.
The Fashions of Ptolemaic Egypt On
So, how did the fashions of Ancient Egypt come to an end? The answer lies with Alexander the Great. When the conqueror swept through Egypt as part of his brief but brilliant reign, he brought with him an era of Greek rule and influence. This trend, called Hellenization, occurred in many regions of Alexander’s conquest. In Egypt, it resulted in the Ptolemaic dynasty, which ruled from 305 to 30 BCE.
The Ptolemaic rulers, descended from one of Alexander’s generals, adopted some Egyptian customs to maintain control over their population. For the most part, however, they remained a Greek-speaking and -influenced ruling class. Greek culture diffused through the native Egyptian elite, who gradually adopted more Greek-inspired clothing as well. The sheer linen favored by the Egyptians remained, but it accompanied more conservative Greek apparel like the himation and chiton. Later, as Roman power ascended, Roman styles also came into favor. The fall of the Ptolemaic dynasty’s last queen, Cleopatra VII, in 30 BCE further cemented Roman influence over Egypt.
Then, just a few centuries later, the Islamic Conquest swept through Egypt. With the new religion of Islam came styles influenced by Arab and Berber cultures, which persisted up to the modern day. Today’s Egypt sees a blend of fashions from around the world, reflecting its long status as a cosmopolitan hub of civilization.
Works Referenced
Houston, Mary. Ancient Egyptian, Mesopotamian & Persian Costume (Dover Fashion and Costumes). 2nd ed., Dover Publications, 2011.
Lucas, A. Ancient Egyptian Materials & Industries. Second Edition, Revised, Edward Arnold & Co, 2021.
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