Egyptian Clothing
Egyptian Clothing
The climate of Egypt is dry and hot so it was necessary for Egyptian
clothing and fashion to be comfortable in the heat. The temperature
did however drop in the evening and night and during the winter season. The clothing
and fashion therefore had to be both light, cool and non-restrictive.
Egyptian clothing was dictated by the materials that were available in
Egypt. Cotton did not grow in Egypt and there were no wool- bearing
sheep.
Egyptian Clothing -
The Materials
The materials used had to be easily accessible in Egypt.
Linen was the most common material used for
Egyptian clothing. Flax, the plant that produces linen threads grew
easily in the rich silt soil of the River Nile. The cloth made from the
flax was produced either in the home or in temples and the workshops of
the palace. The flax was combed and spun with a balance wheel on a
spindle for spinning the thread from the flax. The types of linen
produced ranged from a course sackcloth type of material to the finest,
almost transparent linen.
Egyptian Clothing -
The Simplicity of Style
The simplicity of the style of
Egyptian clothing lasted through the many hundreds of years of the Old
and Middle Kingdoms. The clothes needed very little stitching as they
were simply draped around the body, however the higher the status of the
person the more clothes and make-up they wore.
Egyptian Clothing and
Jewelry
Egyptian Clothing &
Fashion - The Dress of a Woman
The dress of a woman in the Old Kingdom was made with a simple rectangle
of linen cloth. This was stitched down one side and straps were attached
to the top edge, which were knotted or fastened with a buckle - a simple
tube dress worn ankle-length. Some dresses had short sleeves or women
wore short robes tied over their shoulders. Fashion changed in the period of the Middle Kingdom when
patterned and colorful collars were worn. Fashion changed the look of
Egyptian clothing again during the period of the New Kingdom. Advances
in dye fixatives allowed for more colorful linen and the simple tube
dress was adorned by an elaborate pleated and fringed robe which was
worn over the dress. Wealthy Egyptian women also decorated their dress
with feathers, sequins and different types of rosettes.
Egyptian Clothing &
Fashion - The Dress of a Man
The dress of a man in the Old Kingdom was made with a small rectangle of
linen cloth. The cloth was fashioned into a knee-length kilt which were
knotted or fastened with a buckle at the waist. Fashion changed in the
period of the Middle Kingdom when kilts became longer and straighter.
Full length cloaks were also worn by the men during the winter. Fashion
changed the look of Egyptian clothing again during the period of the New
Kingdom. Advances in dye fixatives allowed for more colorful linen and
the kilt was elaborately pleated and fringed. Pleating was achieved by
pressing the linen on to a grooved board and fixed into place with
starch or using a special pleating instrument. Sashes and aprons were
also added to complete the change in fashion of men's clothing
as were wide-sleeved tunics and under-kilts.
Egyptian Clothing &
Fashion - The Royal crowns of the pharaohs
The royal crowns of Egypt were the
Red Crown of Lower Egypt, the White Crown of Upper Egypt and the red and
white double crown symbolising the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.
A blue crown was worn when a pharaoh went into battle
Egyptian Clothing -
The Colors
The colors of Egyptian clothing were predominantly white. Not only is
this a good color to wear in the sun and the heat, the color white also
symbolized purity. Decoration and color came from elaborate and colorful
jewelry together with wigs and make-up. White linen cloth was therefore
used for dress in the Old and Middle Kingdoms of Egypt, although blue
and brown dyes were occasionally used to color the linen. Egyptian
clothing and fashion did not change in this respect until the age of the
New Kingdom when the method for fixing dyes were discovered. At this
time fashion changed and Egyptian dress became much brighter with red
and green colors and fashion designs became more elaborate.
Egyptian Clothing -
Mass Produced
Egyptian clothing was often mass produced in temples, royal palaces and
workshops. Contrary to some beliefs the workers who built he great
monuments of Egypt were not slaves. They were ordinary Egyptians who
were conscripted to work on the buildings for the divine Pharaoh and
their sacred gods. Their clothing was supplied by the Pharaoh and the
Priests, as part payment for their labour.
Washing Egyptian
Clothing
The Egyptians were extremely particular about cleanliness and Egyptian
clothing was frequently washed. The Egyptians did not have soap. Instead
they used a natural deposit of the dessert called natron, which was a
mixture of sodium carbonate and bicarbonate which dissolves grease.
Natron was also used to clean teeth! Egyptian clothing was also kept
clean by bleaching and as a finishing touch clothes were starched.
No Clothes or Loin
Cloths?
The Egyptians were not a prudish
race and were not concerned by naked flesh, in fact children rarely wore
any clothes at all and it was not uncommon for labourers to work naked
or wear just a twist of linen around their loins. Even the Upper Class
Egyptians and nobles would just wear a loin cloth in their own homes and
it was common to go barefoot, whatever the class, at home. Egyptian
women did not wear any under clothes.
Egyptian Clothing & Fashion
- Sandals
The Ancient Egyptian men and women wore a simple form of sandals on
their feet. The sandals were made of palm fibre or braided papyrus. The
sole of the sandal was shaped in the shape of the foot and straps were
attached between the toes and either side of the heel. Ties were
occasionally added to be fastened around the ankle. The inside soles of
sandals belonging to noble men or the Pharaoh were elaborately decorated
with images of the traditional enemies of Egypt - presumably to serve as
a constant reminder to the men and the opportunity for the Egyptian man
to step on and crush their enemies.
Egyptian Clothing
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