Ancient Egyptian Costume

As it appears on the likes of the ancients, the Egyptian costume is elaborate, flashy, unique, and seemingly difficult to make. But take it from one who is, well, talented, but easily overwhelmed by complexities: the Egyptian costumes can be done in very little time, using very little money and supplies, and with a facility you will be proud of when you are done.

One Halloween when my boyfriend and I were at a loss for the costumes that would be the hit of the party (as all his friends tried to outdo each other every year), I suggested we go with a classic that would have materials that were creative and unusual instead. That is, the ancient Egyptian Halloween costume has been done. But has it been done with edible supplies and cloth other than gold lame?

How to make an Egyptian Costume

So I got to work first on the cowl necklace: I used Trident gum, laying it out first on newspaper and spray painting it the colors of the ancient Egyptian costume and jewels of yore—such as brick red, some gold, others sea and sky blues. I then glued the gum in rows to a medium-weight paper, bending it to fit the semi-circle shape it would need to lay flat and around the neck.

Next was the headdress. Get a piece of tag board or manilla that is sturdy enough to keep its shape. Roll it into a cone, with the lower opening to fit your head and the upper opening to shape more like an oval, and tape the shape shut. Cut an additional oval from left over paper and tape it to the top. Decorate with sequins and costume jewelry—but not too much, as it will also weigh too heavily. Instead of more than a few jewels, paint the headdress by consulting pictures of ancient Egyptian Halloween costumes online.

The clothing is easy, too, especially for the woman. Wrap material of your choice around the body, and knot in front the way you’d knot a towel around yourself after the bath, or pin with an Egyptian-looking brooch if you have one. Add an arm bracelet by finding the old snake bracelet that twists or by making one out of anything that has length and bends.

Egyptian Male Costume

The man’s bottom piece can be made to fit—if you are handy with a sewing machine, but can also be composed of tight boxer shorts (you dye or spray paint) and a loin cloth.

If the man is less exhibitionist, make him a tunic: get a piece of cloth that is sand-colored. Lay out flat. Fold in half. A circle in the center fold, large enough to fit a head. Pull the cloth over his head and gather the material under the arms with basting (loose, casual thread stitching) or with pins or other attachment devices, so it is more fitted to his body.

Then wear sandals that are brown, leather lace ups, or go barefoot and add toe rings and anklets—yes, for both men and women. Done!

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