How did the ancient Egyptians dress?

Ancient Egyptian men and women wore clothes with almost similar designs and materials .

Beaded dress pattern unearthed at a grave in Giza.

The ancient Egyptians were able to create some of the most massive and intricate structures known to mankind, yet they used very simple costumes. Traditional Egyptian clothing is made from locally available materials, and women dress almost like men, Ancient Origin reported on July 26. There were exceptions, however, and most aristocrats in Egyptian society had a style of dress that clearly reflected their status.

During the hot weather in Egypt, the people's clothes come from local cotton or linen. Some farmers also wear clothing made from animal skins. The most common type of fabric is linen due to the abundant flax that grows along the Nile. This is also a lightweight fabric, cool and comfortable in hot weather.

In everyday life, for the low-class Egyptians of the Early Dynasties (3150 - 2613 BC) and Old Kingdom (2613 - 2181 BC), men and women wore same outfit. Drawings depicting men and women from the period above show them wearing what appears to be a white knee-length skirt fixed by a belt. Some people wear sandals braided from straw. Wealthy men also used this dress but made of lighter high-class linen while aristocratic women wore it a little more elaborately.

Women of the upper class in the Old Kingdom wore long, flowing skirts that covered their breasts, made from light and expensive linen. They secure their skirts with straps over their shoulders and sometimes wear a light waistcoat over the top. In addition, they also wear skirts made of beads.

Both men and women in ancient Egypt used makeup. They anoint themselves with perfume and perfume, apply eyeliner and paint their faces. Of course, the upper class can buy better quality products. Eyeliner is especially popular. The Egyptians used a pencil made of wood, ivory, or stone to apply eyeshadow to the eyelids to accentuate the shape of the eyes.

Pollen is made from galena, a mineral found in the Sinai mountains. The galena is then mixed with peacock feathers and many other minerals and oils or fats until it becomes a paste or cream. This form of powder is very expensive, so it is only available to the upper class. But poor people also have an alternative to chalk. In addition to makeup, this powder also helps protect the eyes from infections caused by sunlight, dust or flies. Blue powdered peacock feathers are often painted under the eyes.

A wig in the tomb of Sithathoryunet, daughter of a king of the 12th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. (Photo: Met Museum)

Wigs and jewelry were also an integral part of the costumes of the ancient Egyptians, not only showing their wealth but also helping to attract the gods. The ancient Egyptians wore rings, earrings, bracelets, decorative buttons, necklaces, and pendants made of gold or precious stones. People in the lower classes also wear jewelry made from multicolored ceramic beads.

Jewelry design in ancient Egypt often reflected religious themes. The motifs include symbols of the gods and hieroglyphs as well as birds, animals and insects. Common symbols are the beetle, the eye of Ra, the lotus, the papyrus, the cobra, the knot, the shen ring (symbol of eternity) and the ankh (symbol of life). . Jewelry is usually placed in the grave when the owner dies so that the person can use it in the afterlife.

Egyptians wore wigs because it made them more comfortable in arid climates and made personal hygiene easier, and also prevented lice. Wigs were made from human hair until the Second Intermediate Period (1782 - 1570 BC) when horses were brought to Egypt. Later, both horse hair and human hair could be used as wigs. Wigs come in a variety of styles to wear on many occasions. Most wigs are long and heavy, carefully divided into several curls or braids. Rich people often wear beaded wigs and jewelry. The poorer people use wigs made of papyrus or shave their heads and wear headscarves.