A look at the ancient Egyptian

1. Ancient Egyptian
Clothing of the
Higher Classes
By –
Geetika Agarwal

2. Introduction
 The Ancient Egyptian civilization was
concentrated in the lower regions of the
Nile Valley. It coalesced in 3150 B.C, its
history is divided by periods of relativity
into 3 main Kingdoms called the
 Old Kingdom of the Early Bronze Age
 Middle Kingdom of the Middle Bronze Age
 New Kingdom of the Late Bronze Age
 The Egyptian people were an extremely
advanced civilization with a very evolved
cultural and economic system.
 Among their many achievements were the
early development of the writing technique,
quarrying, construction and a very good
administrative system.

3. The Textiles
 In Ancient Egypt
the textile most
commonly used
was linen or flax.
 Wool and silk
were also known
but were
prohibited for use
except in coats or
cloaks, as animal
fibers were
considered
impure.

4. Class Distinction
 The Egyptian costume was
much scantier than that of
Assyria and Babylon.
 The wearing of clothes was a
kind of class distinction.
 The lower classes and slaves of
the palace went about almost if
not completely naked.
 The royal costume differed from
others as it was of a much finer
material and with embroidered
belts and collars.
Female servants who are naked save a gold girdle dressing a
lady of higher social standing who is covered from chest to
ankle.

5. The Pharaohs
 During the Old
Kingdom the
characteristic
garment was the
schenti or loin-
cloth.
 This garment was
very stiff and
pleated for the
royals.
 Often it was held
in place by a belt.

6.  Under the New
Kingdom the
Pharaohs also
wore a long
fringed tunic
called kalasiris.
 This tunic was
semi-transparent
allowing the loin-
cloth to be seen
underneath.

7. The Royal Women
 The royal women
would also wear the
kalasiris which in the
case of women would
be woven in one piece.
 Another garment was
the haik which were 2
rectangular pieces of
cloth stiched at the
sides and with a small
opening for the neck.
 The sleeves of the haik
would be tied back by
suspenders attached to
the shoulders. The
suspenders would then
be secured around the
waist etc.

8.  Often the women’s
chests would be
exposed in the
garment which
consisted of a long
tubular dress with
thin shoulder
straps.
 They would cover
up their top with
either elaborate
jewel collars and
shawls or capes.