The traditional clothing and hairstyles of women in ancient Egypt reflected their social status, culture, and economic rank. Clothing styles often indicated a woman’s wealth and profession, and a variety of hairstyles indicated married and unmarried status. Women of all ages and backgrounds used their fashion sense to express themselves and their individual beauty.
Women’s Clothing in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, clothing styles varied from wealthy to poor, peasant to royalty. Wealthier women tended to dress in more luxurious materials such as linen and wool, while the poor dressed in simpler material such as flax. For formal occasions, wealthy women wore fine garments made of pleated cloths and colorful jeweled accessories. Unmarried women were often identified by wearing a simple fiber sash or belt with a colorful band over their dresses.
Common attire for men and women in ancient Egypt often included a robe-like garment called a kalasiris, which was wrapped around the lower body and often tied with a sash at the waist. Additionally, shawls, sandals, and headdresses were used to protect against the sun and cold temperatures.
Undergarments in Ancient Egypt
In ancient Egypt, clothing was usually form-fitting and exposing the whole body was considered improper. Therefore, an important part of women’s clothing during this time period was their undergarments. For coverage, a linen shift or lining was used to make the clothing fit flush against the skin. Women also wore a semi-transparent fabric underneath their shifts that had a triangular shape at the front, called a menat. It extended from under their arms to around the waist and hips.
Makeup and Jewelry in Ancient Egypt
The art of makeup for women was popular among wealthy Egyptians who used cosmetics to symbolize their social status. Makeup was also used to enhance their beauty and often looked quite dramatic due to the materials used such as ground earth, copper, kohl from burnt almonds, and soot. For jewelry, women commonly wore necklaces, earrings, amulets, and bangles made of valuable metals, such as gold and silver, as well as semiprecious stones.
Women’s Hairstyles in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptian women saw their hair as a part of their femininity and took great pride in styling it to express their individuality. The hairstyles they wore were often long and intricately designed.
The Classic Phoenix
The classic phoenix hairstyle was one of the favored hairstyles among women in ancient Egypt. The hair was parted into symmetrical sections and a large loop was formed where the two sections met, known as a nub. This nub was then interwoven with small locks of hair to create a unique design.
The Rows of Knots
The rows of knots hairstyle was popular among wealthy women in ancient Egypt. The hair was divided into sections and each section was plaited and arranged in perfect rows across the head. This hairstyle was often accompanied by an ornamental headpiece or veil to add to the elegance of the style.
The Side Plait
The side plait was another popular hairstyle among ancient Egyptian women. The hair was usually bowed down in one direction and plaited along the sides of the face. This style was usually accompanied by a variety of accessories and small lumps of kohl around the eyes to enhance the beauty of the wearer.
The Bantu Knot
The Bantu knot was a more casual hairstyle worn by women in ancient Egypt. The hair was twisted into small knots and arranged around the face. This style was often left loose and fell down the back, giving the wearer a relaxed look.
The fashion and hairstyles of ancient Egypt tell a story of a vibrant and unique culture. From their unique clothing and undergarments to their intricate hairstyles, women in ancient Egypt used their fashion sense to express their creativity and express their individual beauty. The clothing styles, trends, and hairstyles of ancient Egypt have been a source of inspiration for modern fashion designers, helping to shape the world of fashion to this day.
