What if you had to dress according to your social status? The Pharaoh controlled fashion in Ancient Egypt. The pharaoh had the highest authority, which was equivalent to that of God. People were highly dependent on the class system, therefore Ancient Egyptians were automatically placed into a hierarchy at birth. The clothing that they wore reflected their status in the class system.
Headdresses were an important part of differentiating the people in the class system. Upper-class headwear was much more extravagant than that of the lower-class. Members of the upper-class usually wore heavy wigs to protect their heads from the hot Egyptian sun, much like a hat. However, they would also wear ornamental hats known as headdresses, which represented their rank in the class system. These highly decorated hats were a clear indication of a person of high rank.
Headdresses had multiple symbolic elements. The Queens and Pharaohs would wear headdresses made from gold bands that met in the front to form a cobra head. This represented royalty. Another example of a symbolic crown was called the pschent. It represented the old kingdoms of Egypt. Many other crowns represented authority, or power in the military.
Evidence collected from Ancient Egyptian tomb paintings revealed that there were also ceremonial headdresses, which were decorated with intricate designs. Imagine you were a ruler of Egypt and had to carry an awkward and heavy piece of gold on your head for the ceremony. The Pharaohs wore these only on unique occasions. They were much too large, heavy and uncomfortable to be worn otherwise.
Fashion inevitably changes over time. Perhaps these fashion statements were not in style for centuries after, but the Ancient Egyptians did continue to wear the earliest styles for special occasions in order to celebrate their past. One day in the far future, maybe people will be wearing baseball caps to special occasions in order to remember the 21st century.
Works Cited
Anawalt, Patricia Rieff. The Worldwide History of Dress. Thames & Hudson, 2007. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat02755a&AN=cul.b231239&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Black, J.Anderson, and Madge Garland. A History of Fashion. Morrow, 1975. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat02755a&AN=cul.b117188&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Cosgrave, Bronwyn. The Complete History of Costume & Fashion : From Ancient Egypt to the Present Day. Checkmark Books, 2000. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=cat02755a&AN=cul.b209157&site=eds-live&scope=site.
Images Cited
Avent, Camille. “FASHION HISTORY.” FASHION HISTORY, 2016, www.fashionhistory2016.blogspot.com/2016/01/ancient-egypt-early-costumes.html.
Eidiejus, Stasys. “Leaf.” Leaf, www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-make-ancient-egyptian-headdresses/.
“Headdresses.” Period Paper, www.periodpaper.com/products/1854-woodcut-ancient-egyptian-gold-beard-wigs-royal-headdress-archaeology-attire-138459-xgp5-119.