Ancient Egypt, one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating civilizations, traces its origins to around 3100 B.C. This era marked the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first Pharaoh, Narmer. The civilization flourished along the fertile banks of the Nile River as one of the world’s oldest and most fascinating societies. Ancient Egyptian costumes hold a significant place in the history of fashion.
Known for their intricate designs and symbolic meanings, these garments were more than mere clothing; they were an expression of status, identity, and beliefs.
Materials Used in Ancient Egyptian Costumes
Ancient Egyptians primarily used linen to create their costumes, owing to the abundance of flax in the region. Linen was highly valued for its lightweight and breathable properties, making it ideal for Egypt’s hot climate. The fabric was often bleached to achieve a white color, which was considered pure and elegant. Wealthier individuals adorned their garments with intricate beadwork, embroidery, and even gold thread, showcasing their social status and wealth.
Though we find Egyptian costume in many instances decorated all over with woven or printed patterns, decoration in the main was confined to accessories such as the head-dress, collar, and girdle, these being often painted, embroidered, beaded, or jewelled.
The material used in the costumes was chiefly linen. In the most ancient types it was of a fairly thick, coarse weave; but in the later examples a fine thin linen, loosely woven so as to appear almost transparent, was used. The linen has often a stiffened appearance, and also gives the idea of having been goffered or pleated.
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Styles and Symbolism
The styles of ancient Egyptian costumes varied according to social class, gender, and occasion. Men typically wore kilts known as ‘schenti,’ while women donned tight-fitting dresses called ‘kalasiris.’ Both garments were often complemented with cloaks and shawls for added elegance. The colors and designs were not merely aesthetic choices but also held symbolic meanings. For example, the color white symbolized purity, while green represented fertility and life.
Religious and Ceremonial Attire
Religious and ceremonial attire in ancient Egypt was particularly elaborate. Priests and priestesses wore special garments that were believed to have protective and divine properties. These costumes were often decorated with religious symbols and hieroglyphs to invoke the favor of the gods. During important ceremonies and festivals, the Pharaoh and other high-ranking officials would don elaborate costumes to signify their divine authority and connection to the gods.
How to Make Egyptian Costumes
Evolution of Costume Types
The earliest types of costume were the tunics; midway come the robes and skirts, and the draped or shawl type of costume appears the latest. However, the older types of costume did not disappear as the new ones were introduced, but all continued to be worn contemporaneously.
The dates of most of the costumes in this volume are given with their description, and have been verified at the British Museum.
Egyptian Men and Women: The Difference in Their Dress
It can easily be gathered from the illustrations that the types of costume worn by both sexes were very similar. The high waist-line prevails in feminine dress, while the male costume, if girded, was generally confined about the hips.
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Examples of Ancient Egyptian Garments
Plate I., which dates 700 B.C., is an exact copy of an Egyptian drawing. It will be noticed that the Egyptian method of representing the figure is a peculiar one.
A modern representation of the same type of dress is shown in Fig. 2, and the plan of cutting in Fig. 2a. It should be noted that this plan-namely, a tunic with braces-is in some instances shown with the braces buttoned on each shoulder at the narrowest part.
This illustration is given as a type of Egyptian dress decoration, which would be either printed, painted, or embroidered on the garment. It might be considered that this type of dress more nearly approaches the skirt than the tunic; but reaching, as it does, to the breastbone and comparing various examples which, as it were, gradually merge into the sleeveless tunic which again merges into the tunic with short sleeves, the present classification will be found to be the most convenient.
Plate II. which dates 1700 B.C. also first century b.c., is an exact copy of an Egyptian drawing of a woman wearing a species of tunic with braces (plan. Fig. 1). The striped decoration upon this tunic is suggested by the lines of another type of Egyptian dress- namely, the drawn-up skirt.
Figs. 2, 3, and 4, dating 1700, 1500, and 3700 B.C. respectively, are wearing dresses of the first great type of Egypt costume-namely, the tunic type. They were made of fairly thick linen. Fig. 2 is put on by stepping into it and pulling it up. Figs. 3 and 4 are put on over the head; the measurements given will fit a slim figure without underclothing.
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The origin of Fig. 2 was most probably a piece of linen of the same length as this garment but wide enough to lap about half round the figure and have a piece tucked in at the top to keep it closed. This sort of tight drapery is quite commonly worn by negresses in Africa to-day. We also find it on some ancient Egyptian wooden statuettes, the drapery being of linen while the figure only is in wood.
Plate III., It will be noticed that the Egyptian dress decoration is chiefly confined to the collar, which will be seen in wear on Plates V., VI., VIII., and X. The patterns were either embroidered, painted, beaded, or jewelled; the favorite lotus flower is almost always in evidence in the designs.
On this plate also will be seen several other characteristic borders (f, g, h, i), and two all-over patterns (k, e), which were probably either stamped or tapestry-woven on the dress fabric.
The coloring of these patterns is chiefly taken from painted representations of persons and ornaments.
Plate IV. belongs to the next great division of Egyptian costume, which may be called the “Type of the Robe.” This illustration shows it in its simplest form-namely, ungirded.
As will be seen from the plan.Fig. 5a, this garment consists of a piece of material twice the height of the figure and folded over in the middle; a hole is here cut for the neck and, in addition, a short slit down the front to allow of the garment being pulled over the head. The material is sewn up the sides from the bottom, leaving a space at the top for the passage of the arms. A garment similar in type to this is worn at the present day in Egypt and Syria, and also, strange to say, by the natives of Brazil.
Plate V.,dating 1450 B.C., shows the same robe as Plate IV. worn in a different manner. In this case the garment is left open down the sides, the front half is taken and pinned at the back of the waist, and the back half is drawn towards the front and girded with a wide sash measuring 32″ x 120″, as shown in Plate V. and Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9. Fig. 6 is a modern drawing of Plate V. which dates 2500 B.C., gives three different views of the same dress Fig. 7-9, a costume which emphasizes the love of the Egyptians for drawing up the dress tightly so as to define the limbs at the back and allowing great masses of drapery to fall in front to the feet.
To adjust the sash or girdle on Plate V., commence at the right side of waist drawing the sash downwards to the left and round the hips at back, next draw upwards across the front from right to left and round waist at back and tuck the remaining length of sash in front as shown in Fig. 6.
Plate VI. is an illustration of a robe worn by a woman 1450 B.C., and Fig. 10 is a modern representation of the same robe. It will be noted in this case that the front half is not pinned behind the back, but is kept quite full in front, and that the back half, instead of being girded by a sash, is drawn round and tied in a knot just under the breast.
Plate VII. The decoration on this plate shows the detail of the characteristic Egyptian winged globe (a), hawk (b), and beetle (scarabaeus). Plates I. and VIII. are examples of the application of winged decoration upon Egyptian costume.
Three other geometrical borders (d, e, and f) and two all-over patterns (g and h) are given; g shows an example of the well-known feather or scale pattern; h (which is similar to e, Plate III.) is a favorite geometric motif, and was often printed or painted on garments.
Plate VIII. The third outstanding type of Egyptian costume may be described as the “Type of the Petticoat and Cape,” (the petticoat was sometimes worn without the cape).
Now this petticoat or skirt, as shown in Plate VIII. and Fig. 11, consists of a straight cut piece of material threaded through at the waist with a narrow strip which is knotted round the figure to keep the garment in position; the cape-like shoulder drapery is an oblong piece of stuff, to drape which take the corners d and e of Fig. 11a, in your hands and twist them till the triangles a, b, c, and d, e, f, have become cords, and then knot as shown in the diagram.
In the skirt piece, Fig. 11b, sew together the two short sides. As will be seen in the illustration, a long knotted girdle about 100 inches in length is worn over the skirt. It passes twice round the waist, and is knotted at the back as well as the front. In Plate VIII. the deep ornamental collar is worn over the cape.
Fig. 12 shows another method of wearing a similarly cut but rather longer skirt; in this case there is no waist cord; two pieces of the upper edge about half a yard apart are taken in the hands and twisted, one is crossed over the other and tucked inside, the other is pulled up and forms an ear, as shown in sketch.
The very earliest Egyptian costumes were of the sleeveless tunic type.
Figure A probably began as a simple uncut piece of fabric made into a simple tube to fit the body.
In this Egyptian Scribe costume plate, a typical waist sash measures 32" by 120". If you are taller you may need to adjust the sash length.
Right - In about 1450 B.C. NOTE - No sash has been used to create this style of robe. The front is left to hang, rather than be pinned at the back.
Our ancient civilization costumes cater to all ages and sizes, making it easy for everyone to join in on the fun. From regal pharaohs and goddesses to valiant warriors and empresses, each outfit is crafted to offer comfort and style, ensuring you can enjoy your event with confidence. With options for children and adults alike, you can create a cohesive group look or let each individual shine in their chosen character. Perfect for school projects, costume parties, or simply embracing your love for history, our collection invites you to unleash your imagination and bring the past to life.
When you wear our Ancient Egyptian costumes, you'll be able to bring all the fun of ancient mythology and the amazing world of the Pharaohs and pyramids to life. To give you a little hint at what we have in store for you, we can turn to the most famous of all Egyptians: the Queen, Cleopatra.
Now, there's a lot to know about this lady. She was the very final rule of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. That started with the end of Alexandar the Great and the claiming of the great Greek city. Cleopatra had some pretty solid connections with the infamous Julius Caesar, reportedly had a near-magical connection with serpents, and seemed to be chosen by the very gods thanks to her unending beauty. That's a whole lot of famous names and amazing power all wrapped around the finger of one woman! No wonder we can't get enough of her even 2000 years later!
Try out a Cleopatra costume and feel the weight of the country on your shoulders. If that lifestyle sounds a little too complex, you can also just enjoy the profound rulership of even older times when you dress up in a Pharaoh costume. These glorious kings and queens of Egypt decked themselves out in fine clothing and elaborate headpieces. All the while, they were chosen by the gods to guide the people. Upon their deaths, they'd entomb themselves in the glorious pyramids, along with all their treasure.
The original mummies were just a careful practice of preserving the bodies of the honored dead. They'd use more salt than you'd find on a ton of your local fast food's french fries and wrap them up with strips of cloth. So long as they were left alone, it would be a peaceful slumber for eternity. But, when those aforementioned "explorers" came and muddled things up, it was time to unleash the full curse!
From Isis and Bastet to the guardian of the dead, Anubis, we have Egyptian god and goddess costumes that will have you feeling like you have all the power of the cosmos. (Or, at least, you'll look pretty amazing.) Enjoy the gleaming gold of the drapes and show off your shining headpiece with our Egyptian costumes.
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