Ancient Egyptian Clothing

Ancient Egyptian clothing was about much more than simply covering the body out of modesty. The clothing a person wore reflected their political and social role in ancient Egyptian society. Clothing denoted their economic status among the population. Because of these factors the ancient Egyptian clothing choices were carefully made, and were different for every class.

The material of the clothing of priests and nobility were finer and made of higher quality material than the clothing of the peasant and common classes.

Linen was the most common material used, but small amounts of silk were also available in the year 2000 BCE. Wool and most other animal products were not popular in ancient Egyptian clothing. The Egyptians believed that the material was unclean, and they were never used by the priests. The only exception was the skin of leopards. This was worn by the priests and pharaohs usually during religious ceremonies.

There were just a few differences in Egyptian clothing. Typically adult males wore a wrapped cloth similar to a kilt around their waist, and adult females wore a sheath type dress. Children did not have any ancient Egyptian clothing requirements.

All children were kept nude until the beginning of puberty. Their heads were shaved completely except for a single lock of hair. Children did not only not wear clothing, they didn’t wear any jewelry or footwear until puberty, and then the adult dress of the era was adopted.

Noble Egyptian Male Clothing

By the New Kingdom period, the clothing of the male nobility was no longer simple and plain. Embroidery and colors were used for decoration, and sandals were worn to protect the feet.

The perfumed cone was used by men, and broad collars were added. The addition of a dress like garment was incorporated; similar to what female nobles wore at the time.

Noble Egyptian Female Clothing

The clothing of the female nobility did not change during the Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom eras. All women wore a long dress which was transparent, and they did not wear any footwear. A large wig was also commonly used.

By the New Kingdom period, the clothing of the female nobility had become much more elaborate. The dress was no longer simple, and featured a yoke collar which was beaded, as well as extensive embroidery and the use of pleats. The perfume head cone was also adopted by women.

Priests And Ancient Egyptian Clothing

Regardless of the time period, the ancient Egyptian clothing of the priests did not change. Priests wore robes which were long, white, and made from fine linen. Priests also wore leopard skins during their religious ceremonies, and were barefoot in the earlier times.

Male Peasant Clothing

The clothing used by male peasants did not contain decorations or embellishments, and was plain. Coarser linen was used to fashion a kilt for the waist, and was short in length during the Old Kingdom period. The kilt became longer through the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom eras.

Female Peasant Clothing

The clothing worn by the female peasant class during the Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom periods was very simple. A skirt was fashioned from lower quality linen, and the breasts were not covered but left exposed. The skirt would start below the breasts, and the women wore no shoes.

During the New Kingdom period the ancient Egyptian clothing changed for peasant women. Instead of a skirt a simple linen dress was worn. The women still went barefoot, but jewelry and some simple decorations were added.