---
node: fashion_old_kingdom
type: fashion
slug: old_kingdom_of_egypt_fashion
title: "Fashion in the Old Kingdom"
lead: "In the Old Kingdom — the age of the pyramids — the men's short pleated shendyt kilt and the women's close sheath dress were both made of white linen, set off by broad bead collars and wigs."
published: 2026-07-28
updated: 2026-07-28
image_file: old_kingdom_of_egypt_fashion.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tomb_chapel_of_Raemkai-_west_wall,_offering_bearers_MET_EG548-h.jpg"
image_author: "Tomb chapel of Raemkai, Saqqara (Old Kingdom)"
image_license: "CC0"
change: "Created as a fashion sub-page under the history section, with a period image (egypt region)"
requester: internal
reason: "Per the owner's decision, fashion lives under each history era"
---

## Overview

In this age of ordered bureaucracy, dress clearly marked rank, and statues and tomb reliefs preserve its idealised form.

## Key garments and style

Men wore the short shendyt wrapped at the waist and women the close sheath dress (kalasiris) with shoulder straps, both in white linen, with a broad bead collar (wesekh) and wig. The painted statues of Rahotep and Nofret are the classic example.

## Transition

Even as kingship fragmented in the First Intermediate Period, the basics of this dress were kept.