Cleopatra's Fashion Was Ahead of Its Time!

By Veronica Estrada

Often upon presentation of any ancient civilization, we are drawn to delve further past the surface of our imaginings to the depths of a rather fascinating and mysterious realm.  Of the most extravagant civilizations to have existed, Ancient Egypt most certainly outshines many in the records of time.  Everything from the famous pyramids to the intricately designed appliances, board games, calendars, chariots, fashion and language are to this day quite awe inspiring.  As lavishing as the ancient Egyptians may have appeared, no one could compare to Cleopatra; last pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, yet first ranking for most phenomenal dress.

Cleopatra’s fashion was detailed specifically for each country she would visit and varied as greatly as the number of languages she was said to have spoken.  Plutarch, a philosopher of her time, described her with fondness when he noted that, “There was a sweetness...in the tones of her voice; and her tongue, like an instrument of many strings...could readily turn to whatever language she pleased…”  This description is the epitome of the personality still praised today as one of history’s greatest seductresses and fashion geniuses.

When in Rome, she did as the Romans would, although exceeding in fashion superiority by a thousand fold!  Rome was considered rather conservative, yet this did not deter her from strategically customizing the standard apparel to something far better suited for her bold and dramatic reality.  Hints of Egyptian fashion were included ingeniously perhaps as part of her ambitions to promote alliances with the great empires of Romans and Egyptians.   Her tunics of silk or linen would gracefully flow down to her ankles held together only by ribbons or brooches beneath her breast.  Her voluptuous figure could not be hidden beneath the lovely transparent cloak she would wear over vibrant hues of blue and red.

When among the Egyptians, she would depict herself as Isis, the most admired Egyptian goddess of the time, mother of the falcon god Horus and sister/wife of the popular god Osiris.  Her association with this Egyptian goddess was part of a common practice the royal predecessors implemented so as to induce the population into admiring and worshiping them.  Her Egyptian costumes typically consisted of a rather transparent dress that was far more close-fitting than her Roman dress.  Adorned upon her head was a finely braided wig of ebony along with crowns of gold from which vibrant feathers and two horns would reach skyward holding a solar disk to emphasize her apparent divinity.

Regardless of where she happened to be stationed or what country she was visiting, Cleopatra often wore an abundance of jewelry!  Her favorite adornment was that of detailed snakes that would coil up her pale arms.  Embedded upon her crowns, hair, jewelry and sandals of gold, were a variety of precious and semiprecious stones such as amethyst, emerald, garnet, pearl, ruby, sapphire, and topaz.

Even to this day, we have fashion lines and makeup styles highly dedicated solely to Cleopatra’s original design! The darkening and boldening of the eyebrows and eyes with kohl along with vibrant eye shadows are just beginning to describe her influence over modern fashion trends.  So why not go all out and “walk like an Egyptian”? Why not immerse yourself in the ambrosial fragrances of an exotic and distant land?  Why not make a stand and express your greatest assets? Our Egyptian costumes reflect the grandeur of the greatest pharaohs; you are certain to turn heads and capture hearts at any event you step foot into, just like Cleopatra, the beloved of ancient Egyptians and Romans alike!