History of Middle Eastern Dress | Dress history

 History of Middle Eastern Dress

The most elaborate dress for both sexes was to be seen under the New Kingdom from about 1539 BC until the Egyptians were replaced by the Assyrians (671 BC), the Persians (525 BC), Alexander the Great (332 BC) and finally Conquered by Rome. (30 BC). Egyptian dress in these later years was greatly influenced by the clothing of the conquerors. The new royal dress was more complicated than before. The costumes were similar but consisted of larger pieces of material. Draping became more intricate and ornament rich. A dress or gown was now worn by important persons of both sexes. It consisted of a 5-by-4-foot (1.5 by 1.2 m) piece of fabric held in place by pins and a waist belt, creating wide, elbow-length sleeves.

There were many ways to remove the material, but most methods seemed to gather all the straps and folds around a point at the waist. Capes, decorative collars, skirts, and pendant girdles also continued to be worn. Brightly colored foci were provided by the dark collar and pendant apron. Embroidered and incised decorative motifs include mainly the lotus flower, papyrus bundles, birds in flight, and many geometric motifs. Sacred symbols such as the scarab beetle and the aesop were worn by priests and royalty.

Children were dressed, as in most of the history of clothing everywhere, as miniature versions of their parents, although they are often shown wearing very little—not surprising given Egypt's climate. No matter. Servants were also almost naked, as were the laborers in the fields, who are depicted wearing only loincloths.

History of middle eastern dress Atlanta

Heavy wigs or padding of false hair, worn by men and women alike, have been known since early times. They served not only as an ornament but also to protect the wearer's head from the scorching rays of the sun, thus acting in a manner similar to hats. A semi-circular handkerchief, tied at the corners at the nape of the neck under the hair, was sometimes worn to protect the wig on a dusty day. Wigs were worn in many different ways, each characteristic of a particular period. Typically, the hair grew longer and the arrangement of curls and braids attached with wax – more complex over time.

The earliest records show that Egyptian men grew hair on their chins. They may apply, dye or use henna on this beard, and sometimes they may thread it with gold. Later, a metallic false beard, or postiche, symbolizing sovereignty, was worn by royalty. It was tied on the head with a ribbon and attached to a gold chin strap, a fashion that existed from about 3000 to 1580 BC.

Many went barefoot, especially indoors, but people of rank are depicted outdoors in sandals made of palm leaves, papyrus, or leather.

Dress in middle ages

Cosmetics were widely used by both sexes, and much information is available about their use because Egyptian custom included comforts and luxuries with the dead. Examples of the cosmetics used and the means of making, applying and storing them can be seen in museums, particularly in Cairo and London. Egyptians applied rouge to their cheeks, red ointment to their lips, and henna to their nails and feet, and women traced the veins on their temples and breasts with blue paint, tipped their nipples with gold. The main focus of the makeup was the eyes, where a green eyeshadow (made with powdered malachite).

Ancient Mesopotamia was located in the area of ​​land defined by the great Tigris and Euphrates river systems and located in modern Iraq. Several important cultures arose there, their empires successively waxing and waning as well as overlapping over time. Among the most prominent were the empires of Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylon.

Dress history

The Sumerian civilization was established before 4000 BC and reached a high level of culture between 2700 and 2350 BC. In early times both sexes wore sheepskin skirts lined with skin and the wool combed into decorative tufts. These wrap skirts were stitched in place and extended from the waist to the knees or, for more important individuals, to the ankles. The upper torso was bare or another sheepskin draped over the shoulders. From around 2500 BC a woven woolen fabric replaced the sheepskin, but the tufted effect was retained, either by sewing it onto the cloth or making loops in the fabric. Given the name Kaunex by the Greeks.