Clothing for the Common Person

 Egyptians clothes were very practical. They would consist of a single piece of wool or cotton cloth. The cloth would be draped of the body in different ways. It could be pined at the shoulder or tied at the waist. Usually, the gown would be pleated. Also, most gowns had a square shoulder straps and no sleeves. They would try to make it look graceful and comfortable to wear.

 These clothes were easier to make, wear, and care for. This blanket like cloth could simply be folded and stored. Also, because these clothes were draped over the shoulder they were one-size-fits-all. A shawl could be draped over the gown during cooler weather.

Clothing for a Queen

 Research has shown that Cleopatra would often dress as the goddess Isis. In Plutarch’s Lives, there is one detailed description of an outfit she wore when she met Antony. She came sailing up the river Cydnus in a barge of gold with sails of purple and oars of silver.  

 “She herself lay all along under a canopy of cloth of gold, dressed as Venus in a picture, and beautiful young boys, painted like cupids, stood on each side to fan her. Her maids were dressed like sea nymphs and graces, some steering at the rudder, some working at the ropes. The perfumes diffused themselves from the vessel to the shore, which was covered with multitudes, part following the galley up the river on either bank, part running out of the city to see the sight.”

Plutarch, “Antony”