Clothing Components
The Egyptians cared about their appearance which indicated a persons status, role in a society or political significance.
Clothes based on two elements:
- The wrapped kilt of men
- The sewed kalasaris ( a sewed sheath which developed into a shirt) of women, which by the New Kingdom, became incorporated into men's dress as well.
Headdress
- Wigs were worn by men and women of high society.
- The primary function of the wig was as a headdress for special occasions, such as ceremonies and banquets.
- Wigs were made of curled long hair separated into three parts, the so-called goddress.
- Peasant women tied and decorated their head with flowers and inexpensive linen ribbons.
- children decorated their heads with amulets of small fish to protect from the dangers of the Nile
Materials
- Textiles were made of linen, a light airy fabric suitable in hot and humid climates.
- Wool was considered unclean, and not to be worn in temples by priests
- Some silk were traded with Asia from 2000 BC and traces of silk have been found in Egyptian tombs
- Prestigious leopard skins, were reserved for priests and pharaohs, and worn during religious festivals
Personal Care
- Men were always clean-shaven, they used razors made from bronze to shave their beards and heads.
- Bathing - using rubbing oils and perfumes applied into the skin
- Cosmetic implements applied by the rich nobility
- A dye called henna, was used by women to redden their nails and lips.
Ancient Clothing of Nobility
| Social Class | Dynastic Period | Images | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Noble | Old Kingdom | 
| - Simple short kilt - white color - small necklace - short curled hair covering the ears - barefooted |
| Male Noble | Middle Kingdom | 
| - kilt lengthened - transparent overskirt - collars - barefooted |
| Male Noble | New Kingdom | 
| - Simplicity gone - Elaborate pleated garment - Use of color - embroidery - broad collars - kalasaris worn by men - leather sandals with extended toes - wig and perfumed cone - False beard where made of leather or metal, and reserved for the Pharaoh |
| Female Noble | Old and Middle Kingdoms | 
| - Kalasaris - a simple transparent long dress - large wig - barefooted |
| Female Noble | New Kingdom | 
| - Elaborate gown - beaded yoke collar - Bracelets around the wrist - fluted transparent linen - cosmetics and Perfumes - wig and hair ornaments - kohl (a black dye) lines the eyebrows |
| Priests | All Periods | 
| long white robes with a strap over one shoulder
- leopard skins - leopard skin sandals - clean shaven heads and body - hair was considered impure - Washed several times a day for purity. |
Ancient Peasants Clothing
| Social Class | Dynastic Period | Images | Clothing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male Farmer | Old Kingdom | 
| - Short Kilt - short curled hair covering the ears - barefooted |
| Male Farmer | New and Middle Kingdoms | 
| - Long Kilt - short hair with ears visible - barefooted |
| Female Peasants | Old and Middle Kingdoms | 
| simple straight linen skirt, from under the breast - bare breasted - Short hair trimmed below the ears - barefooted |
| Female Peasants | New Kingdom | 
| long linen Kalasaris - long unplaited hair - jewelry and necklaces made of pottery beads - barefooted |
| Children | All Periods | 
| Naked until puberty
- Head was shaved off except for a long lock of hair left on the side of the head, this s-shaped lock was depicted by the hieroglyphic symbol of a child or youth. Both girls and boys wore this style until the onset of puberty. Older boys often shaved their heads, while girls had ponytails hanging down the center of the back |