What was Ancient Egypt fashion like?

Answer 1

For centuries Egyptian culture has been a source of inspiration for art and architecture. This is also true of Egyptian dress. When we think of ancient Egyptian clothes many of us conjure images of the stunning elaborate costumes from classic Hollywood movies such as Cleopatra. This lavish guise overshadows the simplicity of the white linen schenti (a man's loincloth or kilt), and the kalasiris a long close-fitting sheath dress worn by women.

The dry, hot climate and the environmental conditions at many burial sites have helped to preserve clothing, bracelets and artefacts that historians use to study Egyptian clothes and lifestyle.

Clothing changed little throughout the history of ancient Egypt. When new garments and styles were introduced, they were worn alongside the ancient ones. In the early days garments were simple and roughly triangular in shape. Because of the extreme heat, clothes were roomy, light and spare. Complete nakedness for an elite Egyptian was not acceptable, only children, slaves and peasants could appear nude. Such an Egyptian would not raise an eyebrow at the sight of thousands of naked slaves working on the construction of a monument but would upbraid their own, such as parents of a child of who is considered too old to be still running about naked.

It was quite permissible for both men and women to keep the upper body bare, although women covered themselves more than men. The proportions of clothing lines were similar, though the female dress had a higher waistline, whilst male clothing emphasized the hips. As in later ages women's clothing was far more restrictive than that worn by men, perhaps an indication that men had a more active lifestyle.

Clothes reflected the well defined hierarchical nature of Egyptian society. It distinguished social rank. The quality of cloth denoted your position in the pecking order. The higher a person's rank, the better the cloth he or she wore. The Pharaoh's kilt was made of the finest linen, possibly embroidered with gold, whereas the commoner's schenti was made of linen of a poorer kind.

Tһе mοѕt commonly used fabric for clothing was linen. It was light, fine and easily draped over the body. Linen is woven from vegetable fibres obtained from the flax plant, a technique invented in Egypt. Textile production and fabric quality improved with better irrigation. The introduction of weavers from Syria weavers refined weaving techniques.

Linen came in several grades from the coarse schenti worn by a peasant to the diaphanous material draped over the bodies of the rich. It was not the only material in use: papyrus was used for aprons; wool was woven into shawls and other outer garments; cotton introduced by the Assyrians was also used. Cotton finally replaced linen as production shifted to cooler climes such as Ireland. Good quality cotton is still an important export for Egypt today.

Battle dress, such as soldiers' aprons, was often made of leather. Silk was introduced into Egypt by the Greeks and Romans. Wool and leather were forbidden in the temples, it was a profanity to worship the gods in clothing derived from animals.