Egyptian Clothing: Costume, Fashion and Makeup

 

Clothing in Ancient Egypt has been heavily cronicled in the artwork and artifacts found in many of the tombs excavated in the early 20th Century. As in many ancient cultures there was great appreciation of the human form. Clothing was loosly draped around the body. Clothing was made out of linen and occasionally wool. Wool was considered unclean, so it was normally reserved for the lower castes. Clothing was also starched and pleated into sharper shapes, with the pleats often pointing to the genitals. It was also bleach white or left natural colors.  However, there were also garments that were dyed and patterned, with more color and implying wealth and influence. Egyptians often bathed in oils and shaved off all body hair.  The elite wore wigs that were often brightly colored and sometimes adorned with jewels. They wore makeup heavy around the eyes. Kohl eyeliner, which is made of black powder of lead sulfer, and is thought to be used for protection from the bright sun.

 

 

Clothing Articles

 

Shenti - short loin cloth sometimes covered with a transparent loin skirt, sached and girdled to the genitals

 

Kalisiris - tight fitting dress (often ending below the breasts)

 

Postiche - fake beard, often made out of leather or hair but sometimes wood or stone, worn by both male and female pharaohs

 

Egyptian Collar - an ornamental collar 

 

Headdresses

      Vulture - worn by queens as a symbol of their divinity and role as the great mother of Egypt

      Nefertit - conical headdress most notibly worn by Queen Nefertiti

      Klaft - structured, triangular headdress

      Pschent - headress symbolic of upper and lower kingdoms