Materials were of prime importance for ancient Egyptian fashion. The climate dictated the kind of fabrics to be worn. Clothing in ancient Egypt was generally made of lightweight fabrics such as linen. The wealthy lot in ancient Egypt wore the most exquisite quality of linen. During the ancient Egyptian civilization, various types of linen were produced. The best variety of linen was the transparent variety. This linen was produced in workshops or even in the homes of the common folk.

     For men and women, the tunic was a common factor. Tunics made of light fabric were worn with pleated skirts. Clothing was often draped over the body. The royal families wore a headdress to denote their status. Males as well as females also wore the kalasiris, which covered one or both the shoulders. The top of the garment touched the waist, which was either tight or loose in fit. Men also wore kilts, which are short skirts that were tied around the waist. The length of this garment varied. Men that belonged to the upper strata of society wore longer kilts. These skirts had pleats towards the frontal area. This was firmly wrapped around the waist and secured with belts. Read the rest of this entry »