The ancient Egyptians wore light clothes made from linen which was made from flax – a plant which was grown along the Nile. The ancient Egyptians were a very fashionable people. Both rich and poor wore jewelry (Egyptian costumes). They also wore flowing linen clothing owing to the extremely hot climate and was usually white because the Egyptians did not use dye for a long time. The wealthy adorned themselves with gold jewelry, makeup, wigs, and sheerer clothing.

There are two very basic Egyptian costumes which can help us capture the iconic look of the ancient Egyptians which are as follows:

For a woman’s Egyptian Costumes:

1. Cut a very large triangle (at least 1 1/2 yards wide) from the white fabric. Drape it around your shoulders like a shawl. Stitch the ends in place and very carefully remove. Sew over the stitches on a sewing machine or by hand to reinforce them. The shawl will be layered over the slip when worn. If you’d like, sew or glue gold cord along the bottom hem of the full slip.

2. Draw a circle 30 inches in diameter on the purple felt. Draw another circle 9 1/2 inches in diameter inside the first circle. Cut out both circles. Attach beads and sequins to the purple collar with fabric glue. Sew the cord all the way around the inner and outer circles.

For a man’s Egyptian Costumes:

1. Cut a 2 1/2 inch wide waistband out of purple felt. Draw a triangle on the fabric that is 7 inches at its widest point with two sides that are 18 inches long. Sew the triangular piece behind the waistband so that the point of the triangle is hidden underneath. When worn, the tip-less triangle should be in front.

2. Make a collar similar to the one for the woman’s costume, but make the outer circle 36 inches and the inner circle 15 inches.

3. Paint wide stripes on the white fabric with gold paint. Cut a 4 inch wide strip of felt for the headband. Wrap the headband around your head and sew the ends together. Take it off carefully and sew or glue the white fabric to the top.

4. Attach the gold cord to the outer edges of the belt, headband, and collar. Decorate with beads and sequins.

Egyptian Costume Drape

An authentic-looking Ancient Egyptian costume drape is an artistic style draping a single piece of measured fabric. The finest Egyptian draperies tend to arise from one central point: the knot which runs on similar lines like that of Indian sari styles of today. The procedure to make such a costume drape goes as follows:

1. Measure and cut the large white sheet 162 inches long and 45 inches wide. For those whose height is more than 5 feet, 6 inches, cut the sheet to a width of 54 inches.

2. Hold the left side corner of the sheet on the right side of the waist at the front of the body.

3. Pass the sheet clockwise around the back, under the left armpit and to the front of the body again.

4. Catch up all the fabric and throw the whole length of the sheet over the right shoulder.

5. Pass the upper edge of the sheet around the back of the neck so that it falls over the left shoulder.

6. Arrange the sheet so that it lays on the right side of the chest. Tie the two lengthways corners together in the center of the waist. One corner should be hanging down the back in a point.