Things, like people, have their own history. And the most interesting story is in clothes, oriental clothes! How did they dress in Egypt a hundred years ago and what do they wear now? What fabrics and embellishments are used? All this I will try to reveal in this article. Egypt is unlike any other Arab country. After all, here is rich story, and so many different faiths coexist in this sunny country. A person's clothing can tell a lot about its owner, what kind of character and habits he has. The clothes of the Egyptians always corresponded to the position of their time. This can be seen from the history of the costume and its changes.

Egypt is the land of gods and pharaohs. The ancient Egyptians loved nice clothes and decorations. The style of dress was simple and elegant. They devoted a lot of time and attention to their appearance, they modeled, made and wore costumes with special care and very thoughtfully. Their clothing style gave them a unique cultural perspective on history. The Egyptians designed light clothing for themselves in order to be comfortable in the heat that was characteristic of their country. Most of their clothing was made from plant fiber. Mostly because of the heat, they wore clothes made of linen.

For the entire 3000-year history of Ancient Egypt, fashion has not changed much. During the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700-2150 BC), people wore simpler clothes that did not require long tailoring. Men and women mostly wore wrap-around clothes, which were tied with a knot in one place and kept on the belt. The main color of the dress is white. The cream of society was dressed in long, pleated, transparent robes.

In Egypt in the last century, as well as hundreds of years ago, men wore long shirts of a simple cut made of homespun fabric, wide trousers that narrowed down, and the trousers were tied with a very thick sash. And a vest or caftan was worn on top. On the head they wore a scarf tied in a turban.
Women then dressed very similarly to men, the same shirts, but longer, rectangular caftans over shirts, a large scarf like a shawl.

Galabei came to Egypt from the neighboring Emirates, but this type of clothing has also undergone changes. Later, when Egypt was occupied by the Turks, and they contributed to the national costume of the Egyptians, for example, a vest and a fez - a red, cylindrical felt hat with a tassel borrowed from them. The Egyptians also adopted a lot of words and traditions from them. From the Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the Egyptians borrowed the galabeya, dishdash and shemagh scarf in a checkered pattern, popularly called Arafatka, after the Arab leader Yasser Arafat, because he introduced the fashion for this headdress.

Egyptian male galabea- dishdash, differs from the Saudi and Emirati galabeys in a more extended, trapezoidal shape. Most often, male galabeys are white. Such galabeys are still worn to this day, with some amendments for modernity, with a stand-up collar and pockets. Under the bottom, pants are worn, usually shortened, above the ankles. Such clothes protect well from heat, sand and strong winds.

Muslim men never use silk fabrics and gold processing., as it is against the principles of Islam, jewelry is only for women.
Woman suit always implies more fantasy in cut and style than menswear. Women's costume changed much more often than men's. At the beginning of the century, these were abai, with embroidery and ornaments. With handkerchiefs decorated on the edges with colored pompoms and fabric flowers. The headdress was somewhat reminiscent of Ukrainian wreaths in the national costume. Later, with the development of the textile field, good quality fabrics began to appear in Egypt, embroidery was already done by machines. Under the rule of President Nasser, Egypt became a secular state, women were forbidden to wear a hijab, women's clothing was absolutely European. Men, under the rule of President Nasser, were forbidden in the state. institutions to wear galabei. But the Egyptians found a way out, they began to put jackets on the galabeians. And to this day in the state. institutions, you can often find copies in a galabey with a jacket. Already under the rule of Mubarak, the original Egyptian clothing returned.
Hijab and abaya are back in fashion for women. The word "hijab", translated from Arabic means "veil, shelter", yet this word is understood as the clothes of Muslim women. This word has recently often flashed on the pages of various publications, both socio-political and fashionable. From Saudi Arabia came the niqab, in the form it is worn now, the fabric is light, which makes it easier to breathe. Khimar is another attribute of a Muslim woman. A long, waist-length scarf, similar to the headdress of nuns, it is worn with a galabea, they are different colors from opaque fabrics.

Egypt is the country that most of the Arab countries receives tourists and is subject to Western influence. Western culture has made changes in the wardrobe of the local population. You can hardly meet urban youth in national costumes. All dress in European style. Muslim girls began to tie not with square scarves, but with scarves, beautifully settling on their heads. Christian girls go in European clothes, except that they follow the rules of decency, without bare bellies and minis. The older generation are true to their traditions and dress in galabei, which are now immeasurable, in any color, with embroideries, with rhinestones, glass beads. They are made from silk, synthetics, cotton, crepe and other fabrics. In the same way, the "celestial" has established the import of primordially Egyptian national clothes. Often on the inside of a dress or scarf label you can see the inscription "made in china".

There is also high fashion in Egypt. Fashion shows of Arab clothes are no longer a rarity. Dresses made of breathtaking fabrics, embroidered with Swarovski crystals, standing like an apartment in Hurghada. These are bought only by very rich people, the high class of Egypt and other Arab countries. Despite everything, Egypt has retained its traditions in clothing and, just as before, will pass them on through generations and time.

Making clothes was a women's job. It was produced not only at home, but also in the workshops that were kept by nobles and wealthy people.

Chest from the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun

The most important part of textiles was linen. Linen was considered the best woven fabric. Painted precious stones it was used in the daily wardrobe of the representatives of the royal family. Peasant clothes were sewn from coarse material. Wealthy citizens and pharaohs were buried in mastabas and tombs, wrapped in linen of the highest quality.

For the first time, linen clothing was masculine. The plant was collected in the fields, fibers were extracted from it, which were collected in threads. This stage of work was carried out by women. Wooden pegs were driven into the ground, thus the first loom was made. By the time of the New Kingdom, the main invention was the discovery of the vertical loom. To work on them, physical strength was required, so the work began to be done mainly by men.

Tailoring in ancient Egypt was a rather laborious process and required skill. The dress was tailored to the figure so as to make it visually slimmer. Many of them were sewn from a rectangular piece of fabric, draped around the waist and fastened with a belt. Sometimes decorative details were added, like sleeves or shoulder straps. The seams were usually simple. Zigzag and overlog were practically not used. Sewed with three types of stitches.

Tools were used: knives and needles. Blades were made of stone, then copper, and during the New Kingdom, bronze and iron. Flint knives were used until Roman times. Needles were sharpened from wood, bone or metal. Their width reached one millimeter, and the needles also had an eye for thread. Scissors of steel important element sewing business only towards the end of the existence of the ancient Egyptian state, although they were already known from the 2nd millennium BC.

ancient costumes of egypt

The Egyptians wore linen tunics with fringes flared at the knees. This cut was called "kaasiris". There were also coats made of woolen fabric.

In the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamen, many items of clothing of Ancient Egypt were found: plaid skirts, tunics, shirts, belts, aprons, socks, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and hats. As well as underwear in the form of a triangular loincloth.

According to tradition, the representatives of the royal dynasty always had to cover all parts of the body, although looking at the statues and reliefs, we see them in trapezoidal skirts called "kilt" and with a diadem.

Because of the hot climate, the ancient Egyptians wore as little clothing as possible. If you look at the images of servants and slaves, you can see that they were most often dressed only in underwear and decorated with jewelry. Women employed in manufacturing or agriculture most often wore the kalasiris tunic.

Men employed in complex physical work, wore a loincloth and wide clothes - galabey. And if they worked in the water, they were without clothes. During the hot summer months, children ran around in their underwear. In the winter season, the temperature could drop below 10C, so raincoats appeared in everyday life.

When visiting religious places, it was customary to dress well. Only a small number of high priests were allowed to enter the temple, where the statue of the idol was located, without a costume. The duties of Nesukhor, commandant of the fortress on the island of Elephantine in southern Egypt, included providing the cults with everything necessary: ​​servants, weavers, maids and washers.

The costumes were simple enough: a short loincloth for women with a belt. Clothing in ancient Egypt reflected the social status and wealth of citizens throughout the history of the existence of the state.

Men's clothing of ancient Egypt

Army of ancient Egypt

From the time of the Early to the Late Kingdom, fashion was unchanged. The cloth was wrapped around the body and held in place with a belt. The main colors were white and decorated with Egyptian images. Fabric dyes were not yet known at that time.

The underwear was of a simple cut. Dresses of high officials were pleated horizontally. During the period of the Middle Kingdom, there are three types of folds: one part is pleated with folds of 1-2 cm, the other part is with narrow folds, the third is with patterns and folds horizontally and vertically. The process of making such costumes was very laborious. Sleeves and long clothes served as an addition to the kilt, although they were not tight-fitting. The hem was tapered at the bottom.

Men of all classes - from the pharaoh to the slaves - wore a skhenti apron, very similar to the loincloth of primitive people. Shenti could be made from both leather and linen.

different given clothes only along its length. Longer aprons were worn by the pharaohs, while the skhenti of slaves was a strip of very narrow fabric.

Women wore clothes called kalaziris. It was a long, tight-fitting shirt with straps. At the same time, during the Old Kingdom, the chest remained open. To this day, among African tribes, one can see tribes whose clothes, both for men and women, cover only the lower half of the body.

On their feet, the inhabitants of ancient Egypt wore sandals. It was a shoe made from bark, papyrus, and palm fibres. Sandals were not very durable, and therefore most often they were worn in the hands, dressed only in the temple or during solemn ceremonies.

Women's clothing of ancient Egypt

Women wore a kalasiris tunic with one or two straps thrown over one shoulder or both shoulders. The upper part could be located from the neck to the neck, the lower part could touch the knees or ankles. Some clothes were sewn with sleeves, others without them. The silhouette of the figure was emphasized by a belt.

A dress was sewn from a rectangular piece of fabric. An opening was made in the center for the head, then the fabric was folded in half. The lower parts were sewn together, leaving holes for the hands.

Servants wore loincloths or Long Dresses with straps and collars. The chest was half bare.

Wealthy people could afford to decorate the dress with beads. The chest was covered with clothes, although at some periods of history, there was a fashion for an open part of the body.

In the period of the Old Kingdom, you can also find drawings depicting a round cape. They were made, as a rule, from linen, leaving a cutout for the head. The clothes were decorated. During the New Kingdom, a fashion for scarves arose

In Egypt, from ancient times, it was known how to get starch. It was made from wheat flour mixed with boiling water. Bandages were soaked in starch, which became hard and tough after drying.

The monuments of the art of Ancient Egypt that have come down to us give a clear idea of ​​how representatives of various classes looked and dressed. Tall, slender figures with a thin waist and broad shoulders, almond-shaped eyes, fine facial features, a straight nose, full lips were considered ideal for both men and women. Women were supposed to be fair-skinned, have small breasts, wide (but not curvaceous) hips and long legs.

How were clothes washed in ancient Egypt?

Herodotus, who visited Egypt around the 7th century BC, said: “Cleanliness, apparently, stood next to piety in Ancient Egypt. Who could be closer to Heaven than the pharaoh himself. One of the most important positions in the court was the holder of the royal clothes, whose duty it was to bleach the royal clothes ”(Euterpe, 2.37.1)

Hand washing was quite hard physical labor. The composition of the soap became known by mixing castor oil and saltpeter. The clothes were thoroughly lathered, wrung out under steam. Around 1200 BC Laundries were invented to make washing easier.

Poor people did not have access to such services and washed clothes on the banks of the river or canal. Water was delivered in heavy clay vessels. A particular danger was to meet a passing crocodile. There have been accidents.

Before the advent of industrial technology, labor in a laundry was valued at pennies. The ancient Egyptians took good care of their clothing, which, however, was not much compared to the outfits of Europeans. If the dress was torn, then the hostess took a thread and a needle, and began to sew patches. During the archaeological excavations, many things were found that were sewn up several times.

Ancient Egyptian headwear

Headwear of ancient Egypt

If on the frescoes of the tombs one can find frescoes depicting men and women whose heads are decorated with diadems, then ordinary citizens usually did not need such luxury. Wearing heavy headdresses was adopted by the peoples of the south: the Nubians and Eritreans. Wealthy citizens in Egypt wore wigs. This detail of the wardrobe served as a sign of wealth, success and high position. Sometimes they reached enormous proportions during the New Kingdom. The wardrobe was complemented by all sorts of accessories: necklaces made of precious metals, rings, bracelets, tiaras, gloves, belts. Representatives of the royal dynasty are characterized by the presence on the headdress of the uraeus - a symbol of the power of the pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. It was depicted in the form of a cobra with its head raised and served as a protection for its owner and had a religious meaning. The most popular colors for jewelry in Egypt are gold, blue, red, black, green.

Shoes in ancient Egypt

Shoes of ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun's golden sandals. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.

The peoples living along the Mediterranean coast usually did not wear shoes, with the exception of the Hittites, who lived in the Anatolian highlands. Their sandals had raised toes.

The Egyptians walked barefoot most of the time and, in exceptional cases, wore shoes to protect their feet.

Sandals were made of cane, fastened with two straps. The nose was usually pointed upwards. They were made from leather and fabric. Through thumb be sure to change the strap.

The cheapest shoes were available to everyone except the poor. Whoever could afford them owned the wealth.

The kings wore elaborately decorated, painted sandals, often made of precious materials. Sometimes they wore decorative gloves.

In 93 pairs of shoes were found. Among them were made of wood with the image of enemies on the sole.

During the New Kingdom, shoes came into wide use. They were most widely used by soldiers and travelers.

Pharaoh Thutmose III spoke of the countries he conquered that they "were the ground under my sandals."

Among the most interesting images dynastic period was the pharaoh's sandalwood standard bearer. And under King Veni of the VI dynasty, this position had an important stage in the public career.

For the manufacture of jewelry, gold was most often used, rich deposits of which were discovered in Egypt in ancient times. At the same time, most of all they valued not so much the cost of the material as its picturesque properties. Egyptian craftsmen were able to give different shades of gold with the help of various additives - from white to green.

Uskh Pharaoh's necklace Symbolized the sun

Electr was also widely used - an alloy of gold and silver; everyday objects were made from it, as well as fasteners and connecting elements in bracelets and necklaces. In jewelry, gold has always been combined with colored enamels and inserts of gems and smalt. Preference was given to stones painted in bright and pure colors - carnelian, lapis lazuli, sardonis, malachite, turquoise, etc. Those stones that are now considered precious - rubies, sapphires , diamonds, emeralds - the ancient Egyptians did not know.

The climate of Egypt, with hot summers and mild winters, favored the wearing of light clothing made from plant fibers. During the Roman period, the most popular material was cotton, which was imported from India. Wool was rarely used to make materials.

Clothing material of ancient Egypt

In a small amount, the clothes of ancient Egypt were sewn from silk, which was traded mainly in the eastern part of the Mediterranean already from the second half of the 2nd millennium BC. Silk products were found in Egyptian tombs.

The skins of wild animals, especially the leopard, were worn by priests and pharaohs. Such outfits were found in the tomb of Tutankhamen and were often depicted in scenes on the walls of the royal tombs. On special occasions, representatives of the dynasty wore decorative ceremonial clothes adorned with feathers.

Clothing production in ancient Egypt

Chest from the tombs of Tutankhamun with clothes

Making clothes was a women's job. It was produced not only at home, but also in the workshops that were kept by nobles and wealthy people.

The most important part of textiles was linen. Linen was considered the best woven fabric. Painted with precious stones, it was used in the daily wardrobe of representatives of the royal family. Peasant clothes were sewn from coarse material. Wealthy citizens and pharaohs were buried in mastabas and tombs, wrapped in linen of the highest quality.

The tomb of King Pepi states:

«… those whom God loves, received by heaven, lean on sceptres. The guardians of Upper Egypt must dress in the finest linen. Let them drink wine and anoint themselves with the best oils…”

For the first time, linen clothing was masculine. The plant was collected in the fields, fibers were extracted from it, which were collected in threads. This stage of work was carried out by women. Wooden pegs were driven into the ground, thus the first loom was made. By the time of the New Kingdom, the main invention was the discovery of the vertical loom. To work on them, physical strength was required, so the work began to be done mainly by men.

Tailoring in ancient Egypt was a rather laborious process and required skill. The dress was tailored to the figure so as to make it visually slimmer. Many of them were sewn from a rectangular piece of fabric, draped around the waist and fastened with a belt. Sometimes decorative details were added, like sleeves or shoulder straps. The seams were usually simple. Zigzag and overlog were practically not used. Sewed with three types of stitches.

Tools were used: knives and needles. Blades were made of stone, then copper, and during the New Kingdom, bronze and iron. Flint knives were used until Roman times. Needles were sharpened from wood, bone or metal. Their width reached one millimeter, and the needles also had an eye for thread. Scissors became an important element of sewing only towards the end of the existence of the ancient Egyptian state, although they were already known from the 2nd millennium BC.

ancient costumes of egypt

The Egyptians wore linen tunics with fringes flared at the knees. This cut was called "kaasiris". There were also coats made of woolen fabric.

Many items of ancient Egyptian clothing have been found in the area: plaid skirts, tunics, shirts, belts, aprons, socks, hats, mittens, gloves, scarves and hats. As well as underwear in the form of a triangular loincloth.

According to tradition, the representatives of the royal dynasty always had to cover all parts of the body, although looking at the statues and reliefs, we see them in trapezoidal skirts called "kilt" and with a diadem.

Because of the hot climate, the ancient Egyptians wore as little clothing as possible. If you look at the images of servants and slaves, you can see that they were most often dressed only in underwear and decorated with jewelry. Women employed in manufacturing or agriculture most often wore the kalasiris tunic.

Men engaged in complex physical work wore a loincloth and wide clothing - a galabea. And if they worked in the water, they were without clothes. During the hot summer months, children ran around in their underwear. In the winter season, the temperature could drop below 10C, so raincoats appeared in everyday life.

When visiting religious places, it was customary to dress well. Only a small number of high priests were allowed to enter the temple, where the statue of the idol was located, without a costume. The duties of Nesukhor, commandant of the fortress on the island of Elephantine in southern Egypt, included providing the cults with everything necessary: ​​servants, weavers, maids and washers.

The costumes were simple enough: a short loincloth for women with a belt. Clothing in ancient Egypt reflected the social status and wealth of citizens throughout the history of the existence of the state.

Men's clothing of ancient Egypt

Army of ancient Egypt

From the time of the Early to the Late Kingdom, fashion was unchanged. The cloth was wrapped around the body and held in place with a belt. The main colors were white and decorated with Egyptian images. Fabric dyes were not yet known at that time.

The underwear was of a simple cut. Dresses of high officials were pleated horizontally. During the period of the Middle Kingdom, there are three types of folds: one part is pleated with folds of 1-2 cm, the other part is with narrow folds, the third is with patterns and folds horizontally and vertically. The process of making such costumes was very laborious. Sleeves and long clothes served as an addition to the kilt, although they were not tight-fitting. The hem was tapered at the bottom.

Women's clothing of ancient Egypt

Women wore a kalasiris tunic with one or two straps thrown over one shoulder or both shoulders. The upper part could be located from the neck to the neck, the lower part could touch the knees or ankles. Some clothes were sewn with sleeves, others without them. The silhouette of the figure was emphasized by a belt.

A dress was sewn from a rectangular piece of fabric. An opening was made in the center for the head, then the fabric was folded in half. The lower parts were sewn together, leaving holes for the hands.

Servants wore loincloths or long dresses with straps and collars. The chest was half bare.

Wealthy people could afford to decorate the dress with beads. The chest was covered with clothes, although at some periods of history, there was a fashion for an open part of the body.

In the period of the Old Kingdom, you can also find drawings depicting a round cape. They were made, as a rule, from linen, leaving a cutout for the head. The clothes were decorated. During the New Kingdom, a fashion for scarves arose

In Egypt, from ancient times, it was known how to get starch. It was made from wheat flour mixed with boiling water. Bandages were soaked in starch, which became hard and tough after drying.

How were clothes washed in ancient Egypt?

Herodotus, who visited Egypt around the 7th century BC, said: “Cleanliness, apparently, stood next to piety in Ancient Egypt. Who could be closer to Heaven than the pharaoh himself. One of the most important positions in the court was the holder of the royal clothes, whose duty it was to bleach the royal clothes ”(Euterpe, 2.37.1)

Hand washing was quite hard physical labor. The composition of the soap became known by mixing castor oil and saltpeter. The clothes were thoroughly lathered, wrung out under steam. Around 1200 BC Laundries were invented to make washing easier.

Poor people did not have access to such services and washed clothes on the banks of the river or canal. Water was delivered in heavy clay vessels. A particular danger was to meet a passing crocodile. There have been accidents.

Before the advent of industrial technology, labor in a laundry was valued at pennies. The ancient Egyptians took good care of their clothing, which, however, was not much compared to the outfits of Europeans. If the dress was torn, then the hostess took a thread and a needle, and began to sew patches. During the archaeological excavations, many things were found that were sewn up several times.

Ancient Egyptian headwear

Headwear of ancient Egypt

If on the frescoes of the tombs one can find frescoes depicting men and women whose heads are decorated with diadems, then ordinary citizens usually did not need such luxury. Wearing heavy headdresses was adopted by the peoples of the south: the Nubians and Eritreans. Wealthy citizens in Egypt wore wigs. This detail of the wardrobe served as a sign of wealth, success and high position. Sometimes they reached enormous proportions during the New Kingdom. The wardrobe was complemented by all sorts of accessories: necklaces made of precious metals, rings, bracelets, tiaras, gloves, belts. Representatives of the royal dynasty are characterized by the presence on the headdress of the uraeus - a symbol of the power of the pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. It was depicted in the form of a cobra with its head raised and served as a protection for its owner and had a religious meaning. The most popular colors for jewelry in Egypt are gold, blue, red, black, green.

Shoes in ancient Egypt

Shoes of ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun's golden sandals. Egyptian Museum of Antiquities.

The peoples living along the Mediterranean coast usually did not wear shoes, with the exception of the Hittites, who lived in the Anatolian highlands. Their sandals had raised toes.

The Egyptians walked barefoot most of the time and, in exceptional cases, wore shoes to protect their feet.

Sandals were made of cane, fastened with two straps. The nose was usually pointed upwards. They were made from leather and fabric. The strap was worn through the thumb.

The cheapest shoes were available to everyone except the poor. Whoever could afford them owned the wealth.

The kings wore elaborately decorated, painted sandals, often made of precious materials. Sometimes they wore decorative gloves.

In 93 pairs of shoes were found. Among them were made of wood with the image of enemies on the pillow.

During the New Kingdom, shoes came into wide use. They were most widely used by soldiers and travelers.

Pharaoh Thutmose III spoke of the countries he conquered that they "were the ground under my sandals."

Among the most interesting images of the dynastic period was the pharaoh's sandalwood standard-bearer. And under King Veni of the VI dynasty, this position had an important stage in the public career.

Fashionable ethnic style

Surely the brightest, most memorable, most colorful is. And not only because his range of outfit coverage is much greater than in any other, but also because ethno style is a style of good mood.

Briefly about historical facts

Ethnic style involves the use of various elements and items of clothing. national costumes. They pay attention to everything: not only individual items and their elements, but also materials, cut, accompanying shoes and accessories.

Indian classic women's outfit

Classical folk clothes various countries(India, Russia, Egypt, Greece, etc.) is increasingly being used to create modern collections and fashionable bows.

fashion clothes in ethnic style

The main rules that designers adhere to when creating robes are giving maximum comfort and naturalness.

For the first time, ethnic style in clothing began to be promoted among hippies.

The hippie style in clothes is not just an image, it is a whole philosophy of life

It was quite normal to find Indian saris somewhere in the wilderness of Canada or painted fabrics and floral scarves in a modern city in the USA.

Similarly, various Greek, Russian and African motifs fell in love.

Greek ethno style

Ethnic style in clothes for the first time surprised from the podium in the 10s of the XX century. It was then that the famous designer P. Poiret showed the whole world an extraordinary collection of clothes in the East Asian style. As some say, his ethnic style was inspired by none other than the Scheherazade ballet.

Later, a collection with Slavic roots was also created, which was called "Kazan". A little later, at the age of 20-30, the unforgettable Coco Chanel also fell in love with the ethnic style and continued the work of Poiret: she created new Slavic collections.

Sketches of clothes in the Russian style from Chanel

The motives of hot Africa in the collections of fashion designers Philip Miller and Yves Saint Laurent amazed many.

Ethnic style by Yves Saint Laurent

The ethnic style of these masterpieces was reflected in the use of fringes, plant and animal designs, various turbans, headbands and prints in the form of mythological birds. Ethnic garments are increasingly appearing in fashion shows. The last of them were Balmain, Kenzo and Christian Dior.

Egypt

The clothes of many designers here and there hide the echoes of the mysterious Ancient Egypt. First of all, this is expressed in a certain color scheme: white, blue, gold, turquoise and yellow.

Egyptian ethnic style involves the use of natural colors

As prints, they most often prefer to use various ancient hieroglyphs, geometric figures or images of the elements, pharaohs, symbols of Egypt (scarab beetles, lotus flowers, various deities and birds).

Ethnic style of Egypt - diversity geometric shapes
American singer Rihanna in an ethnic Egyptian dress

Egyptian ethno style practically does not limit the choice of fabrics. Here you can safely choose linen, silk, fur and wool, leather and suede. And of the decorative elements, metal plates, embroidery and fringe are preferred.

A variety of women's tunics, floor-length dresses over one shoulder, richly decorated fabrics - this is how fashion dictated to women in those days.

The Egyptian style of clothing remained unchanged for more than one millennium.

Men also chose loose tunics and loose shirts, which were usually adorned under the bust or at the level of the hips.

Greece

Greek ethnic style is a bit similar to Egyptian. This fashion also includes loose-fitting items for both men (tunics, shirts, pants) and women (floor-length dresses or middle length). However, Greek fashion, in comparison with Egyptian, has become more elegant. Freedom and comfort remained, but at the same time some zest was added.

Greek classic fashion
Modern Greek style for men

While Egyptian fashion focused on geometric cuts, Greek fashion featured V-necklines as well as more feminine dress silhouettes. Of the main fabrics, light, translucent ones were preferred: chiffon, silk, some types of fine knitwear. Dresses made of such “flying” fabrics flowed beautifully over the figure and emphasized female silhouettes. From colors they tried to choose pastel colors, white, gold, blue, and from prints - drawings of plants and trees.

Russia

Russian traditional clothing holds a special place in the hearts of designers, especially for the abundant use of embroidered elements, buttons and colorful motifs.

There is a complete variety in the choice of fabrics: silk, linen, cotton, satin and velvet, cloth and even lace, which were additionally decorated with embroidery, beads, numerous stones, fur inserts and fringe.

Russian style of clothing embodies wealth and beauty

Russian fashion is full of colors: bright red, green, blue, brown, terracotta, black and gold - all these colors were actively used in clothes.

The golden color in clothes at all times enjoyed great recognition among women.

The golden color in clothes at all times enjoyed great recognition among women, it is not inferior in its popularity even now.Prints are dominated by geometric patterns, images of plants, flowers, birds and animals.

Real Slavic fashion - chaste beauty and folk traditions

It is this fashion that is known for its bell skirts, felt boots, colorful scarves, A-line sundresses, fur coats, men's shirts made of linen and cotton with ties on the chest, jackets and a variety of both short and elongated vests with luxurious fur elements and trim.

The harsh Russian winter makes fur the king of fashion collections

And all this was actively decorated with embroidered threads and gold elements, decorated with precious stones, beads and expensive fabrics (brocade, satin and velvet).

Russian jewelry can make any girl a real queen

India

Incredibly colorful and vibrant country. In it, not only the various clothes of women and men are bright, but also their most famous spices. in its bright colors it competes with the Russian one.

Indian ethnic clothing is full of all the colors of the rainbow: pink, purple, red, gold, white, turquoise and orange.

Indian fashion has collected the richest colors

But, unlike many countries, each color in this country has its own meaning. The most popular pattern is paisley ("Indian cucumber"), as well as a variety of geometric ornaments, flowers and images of sacred animals. Since India is a fairly warm country, the most popular fabrics are linen, chiffon and silk.

Fashion in India is flying fabrics, rich jewelry and jewelry.

main feature- It's multi-layered. Like Egyptian fashion, Indian women's dresses are also present over one shoulder. At the same time, the piece of fabric that is worn on the shoulder is decorated the most. Often, all outfits for both women and men are elongated.

Indian classic outfit for a woman

Representatives of the stronger sex wear elongated button-down jackets and elongated shirts.

classical men's fashion in India

Indian fashion is a real rainbow of colors. At the same time, ethnic clothing does not make a clown out of a person, but gives grace and some mystery.

Africa

Roasts are known for their sand, coffee and milk, terracotta and white tones. To make some color accents, red, white and blue colors were sometimes added.

Africa is the scorching sun and bright outfits

African folk clothes are just a storehouse of numerous prints. It is almost impossible to find plain clothes in it: on each of them you will see a variety of drawings and patterns - the claws of animals, trees and stones, feathers and claws of birds.

African style is the most recognizable ethnic style in clothing and accessories.

Women's ethnic or folklore is quite diverse: sundresses, shorts and skirts of various lengths, tunics, short tops, blouses and swing cardigans.

African ethnic style of clothing and accessories attracts many women with its exoticism and originality, as well as a variety of variations.

Men's fashion in Africa involves wearing loose-fitting trousers and shorts, shirts with loose sleeves and jackets with various elements draperies and decor: fringe, stones, cord weaving, wooden and metal objects.

African fashion for men

African ethnic style has its own charm. Lightweight fabrics, intricate patterns and accessories made primarily from natural materials(amulets made of stones and fangs, various weaving of leather cords, wooden beads) have a certain magic and attractive primitiveness.

African style is the most exotic of all existing clothing styles.

Some things that bear the imprint of a particular culture, one way or another, are in the closet of every fashionista. There are a few simple recommendations that will allow you to combine modern trends with folk accents:

• ethno style involves the use of those colors that are characteristic of a particular country or direction, for example: either these are geometric patterns of Egypt, or bright floral Slavic prints;
• try not to combine some futuristic things with ethnic ones: pay attention to light fabrics and free, flowing lines;
• sometimes just one item is enough to embody an ethnic trend: a light sari or a floor-length sand sundress with bright beads will create unique image and charm;
• accessories and shoes require special attention: woven leather and wooden sandals, open sandals and moccasins are popular, and among accessories there are various decorations that were inherent in a particular era.

The main feature of ethnic style clothing is the use of natural fabrics, bright colors and contrasting combinations

Ethno does not lose its popularity. Famous world designers do not cease to delight with new collections. Their garments are inspired by Egyptian, Russian, Indian, Japanese, African and other cultures. Every year, at the next shows of world designers (John Galliano, Roberto Cavalli, etc.), new breathtaking ethnic clothes appear on the catwalks, which combine modern requirements and ancient traditions of a particular country.