---
node: garment_kalasiris
type: garment
slug: kalasiris
title: "Kalasiris"
lead: "The kalasiris is the linen dress of ancient Egyptian women, a long, close-fitting sheath running from below the breasts to the ankles. In its later, fuller form it became a flowing pleated gown of fine, near-transparent linen."
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
image_file: kalasiris.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maler_der_Grabkammer_der_Nefertari_004.jpg"
image_author: "Maler der Grabkammer der Nefertari"
image_license: "Public domain"
---

## Overview

A kalasiris is a tunic-dress of white linen, in its earliest form a tight tube held up by one or two shoulder straps, and later a wide, gathered garment draped and pleated over the body. Its fineness — sometimes almost sheer — was a mark of luxury.

## How it is worn

It is worn against the body from the chest or waist to the ankles, held by straps or wrapped and knotted, often with a shawl or the broad usekh collar above. In the New Kingdom the elite wore voluminous pleated linen that hung in fine transparent folds.

## History

The sheath dress is seen from the Old Kingdom, and the looser, elaborately pleated kalasiris flourished among the wealthy of the New Kingdom, as tomb paintings show. Cool and light, linen suited Egypt's climate and, bleached white, signalled cleanliness and status.