Old Kingdom women wore a simple tube dress made from a rectangle of linen sewn down one side with straps attached to the top edge. Men wore short kilts to the knee during the Old Kingdom. White was the color of purity, and white linen cloth was mostly used for dress during the Old and Middle Kingdoms. Make-up and perfumed oils were used by men and women. Eyelids were colored with green pigment, made from a crushed soft stone called malachite. Their cheeks and lips were stained red with ochre. Mirrors were very important for all of this making up and hairdressing. Facial and body hair was considered to be unclean. Ready-dressed wigs were worn by many Egyptians who shaved their heads or kept their hair short. Gold and semiprecious stones were used to make expensive jewelry. Jewelry was worn by rich and poor, men and women, and even some sacred animals. |