Through the Eras

Kings first wear the Cap Crown, a traditionthat persists until the New Kingdom.Queens first wear the Vulture Cap, theoldest queen’s crown.IMPORTANT EVENTSin FashionAll dates in this chronology are approximations (c.) andoccur before the common era (B.C.E.).5000 Archaeological evidence that flax grew inEgypt suggests that linen fabric was availableat this early date. Flax was originallyan import to Egypt, perhaps from Syria.4400–4000 The first Egyptian depiction of a horizontalloom for making linen comes fromthis period.3100–2675 An ivory statuette depicts a king wearinga patterned cloak.3100–2800 Kings wear both the White and RedCrowns, symbols of rule over Upper andLower Egypt.King Narmer wears the earliest known archaicwraparound kilt. The style persistsinto the New Kingdom for both men andwomen.Kings begin to wear the striped Nemeskerchief and the Uraeus snake over theforehead.A brown shirt from this time period, excavatedfrom Tarkan, shows the first evidenceof dyed clothing.2675–2170 Men wear both close-cropped naturalhairstyles and shoulder-length wigs coveringthe ears.Women wear short natural hairstyles andthe tripartite wig.Kings wear at least nine different crownsin the coronation ceremony. These crownspersist until the Ptolemaic period.Royal jewelry has a standard red/green/blue pattern.2675–2625 Third-dynasty evidence shows womenwearing sleeveless v-necked dresses, a stylethat persists into the New Kingdom.King Djoser first wears the Nemes kerchief.2625–2585 A shirt excavated from the reign of KingSneferu shows evidence of the use of reddye.The first evidence of the bead-net dressfor women dates from this time period.2500–2350 Fifth-dynasty artistic evidence showsworkmen wearing aprons without otherclothing. This practice continues in theMiddle Kingdom.2485–2472 King Sahure is the first king to wear theAtef crown, most likely a crown referringto the king’s strength.2350–2170 Royal women first wear the Uraeus snakeabove their foreheads.2008–1938 An Eleventh-dynasty letter written by ascribe named Nakht mentions longdistanceshipping of cloth.Women first wear the v-necked dress withsleeves, a style that persists into the NewKingdom.The first evidence of the full-length andthe short bag tunic, a style that persistsinto the New Kingdom, dates from thisperiod.Officials begin wearing shawls and cloaks.Men wear shoulder-length wigs with hairtucked behind the ears.86 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)