Overview

As a province of the Roman Empire, Egypt saw Mediterranean dress mingle with native tradition.

Key garments and style

People wore a belted tunic with a mantle, and the elite followed Roman fashion. The Fayum panel portraits record this dress realistically, with gold jewellery and dressed hair, and decorated Coptic-weave tunics began to appear.

Transition

With the Arab conquest of 641, Islamic dress spread through Egypt.