8 Fun Facts about Cleopatra's Fashion Choices

Cleopatra's iconic style

Cleopatra is one of the most famous women in history, and her fashion choices were just as iconic as she was. She was known for her love of luxury and extravagance, and her wardrobe reflected that. Cleopatra's clothing was often made from the finest materials, such as silk, linen, and wool. She also wore a lot of jewelry, including gold, silver, and precious stones.

Borrowed from many cultures

Cleopatra was a great admirer of fashion and made clothing and jewelry her statement style. Being the last pharaoh of the Ptolemaic dynasty, she inherited a diverse kingdom that included many cultures. Cleopatra was keen on picking the best fashion choices from different cultures and was one of the first fashion icons to borrow styles from various civilizations.

Cleopatra's style was a mix of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences. She often wore traditional Egyptian clothing, such as the kalasiris, a long, flowing gown. She also wore Greek-style clothing, such as the chiton, a simple tunic. And she wore Roman-style clothing, such as the toga, a large, draped garment.

Used clothing for political purposes

Cleopatra was a master of political strategy and used fashion as one of her tools. Her savvy diplomacy extended to her fashion choices. She was mindful of her attire and made sure to make calculated choices that would reflect her power and position as a ruler.

When meeting Julius Caesar in 48 BC, Cleopatra arrived on a golden barge dressed as the goddess Venus. This strategic fashion move presented her as a divine figure, which played a role in Caesar's decision to support her claim to the throne.

Made fashion statements

Cleopatra was not just using fashion to represent power, she also used it to express her personality. Many of her clothing and accessory choices were extravagant and luxurious, which showed off her opulent lifestyle.

Cleopatra was also known for her love of jewelry. She wore a lot of gold and silver jewelry, as well as precious stones such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires. One of her most famous pieces of jewelry was the Serpent Diadem, a golden diadem with a cobra coiled around it.

Cleopatra Outfit