Egyptian Clothing - Ancient Egypt for Kids


Egyptian Clothing

rahotep and nefret
Rahotep and Nefret

Unlike most of the people of the ancient Mediterranean, people in ancient Egypt did not wear just one or two big pieces of cloth wrapped around themselves in various ways. Instead, both men and women in Egypt wore tunics which were sewn to fit them. These tunics were like a long T-shirt which reached to the knees (for men) or to the ankles (for women). They were usually made of linen and were nearly always white. Most people in ancient Egypt, both men and women, do not seem to have covered their heads with any kind of cloth. They often went barefoot, but sometimes they wore straw or leather sandals.

egyptian peasants

Men who were working outside usually wore short skirts instead of tunics, which may have been made as in West Asia by winding a piece of linen cloth around your waist and legs.

Both men and women wore blue and green eyeshadow and black kohl eyeliner, when they were dressed up fancy. People also wore kohl around their eyes because it helped to keep the glare of sunlight down (which is why football players do the same thing today). Men wore their hair short, and shaved their beards and mustaches, while women wore their hair down to their shoulders. Both men and women wore gold jewelry if they could afford to.

Egyptian shoes

More on how to make an Egyptian costume, and tips on Egyptian food and activities? Click here.

To find out more about ancient Egyptian clothing, check out these books from or from your library:

Eyewitness: Ancient Egypt, by George Hart. For kids.

Ancient Egyptian Fashions, by Tom Tierney (1999). For kids.

Ancient Egyptian Costumes Paper Dolls, by Tom Tierney (1997).


Egyptian Shoes
Ancient Egypt
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