In ancient Egypt, linen by far was the most common textile. Which is made from the flax plant which was grown along the Nile river. Once harvested, the flax was soaked in water until it was softened enough to strip into fibers and beaten. This first part of production was taken on by men. Then the women would spin the linen fibers into threads which would be woven to make into cloth.
Common men wore a wrap around skirt fastened at the waist with a belt. Sometimes the cloth would wrap around the legs individually as well. It was even fashionable to have a pleated skirt in the time of the New Kingdom. The length of the skirt was determined by the fashion at the time. During the Old Kingdom the skirts were short compared to the Middle Kingdom having them worn at calf length. The women wore full length straight dresses with one or two shoulder straps. During the New Kingdom it because fashionable to have pleated or draped dresses. Though the rich would be seen in the finest linen which was almost see through. They could also afford to decorate the skirt cloth as well as cover themselves in jewelry and headdresses (usually for special occasions). Ancient Egyptian wore jewelry to show heir wealth because hey believed it made them more attractive to the gods. Only the very rich could afford jewelry made of gold and precious stones. Ordinary people made jewelry from coloured pottery beads. |