Figure 1.--This photograph was taken during World War II in the early 1940s. Reflecting the general lack of progress in Egypt and the rest of the Arab world, it could easily have been taken a millennium ago.

With the spread of photography into the Middle East we begin to learn more about Egyptian clothing (late-19th century). The basic styles worn seem to be essentially the same as those worn since the Arab conquest (7th century) with some Turkish influences. Photographs taken iun the 19th century or even the early-20th century often could represent scenes centuries if not a millennia earlier. This is an observation of enormous potent. Fashion is a reflection of a much more ikportaht trend. At a time that the Western world was experuencing enormous social change and technological advances vastly improving economic productivity, Egypt and the Arab world languished in a cultural and economic stupor. Many Egyoptians today are prone to blame the West and conlonialism for their predicament. The simple fact is that Egyot's backwardness dates not from the British colonial era, but from decline of the Caliphate when Islam began to supress rather thn promote learning (13th century). In fact much of the country's modern infrastructure began to be put in place only after the British instituted a protectorate (1880s). There is a total unwillingness to see the countrty's lack of progress in the modern world as a result of their own cilture and Islam. Some if these trends are mirrored in fashion and clothing. We begin to see Western dress among the affluent in the cities during the early-20th century. As late as the World War I-era, however, very few Egyptians wore Western dess (figure 1). And we only see European clothing in the cities like Cairo and the more Europeanized Alexandria. We begin to see more European clothing in the cities furing the inter-War era and after World war II. This contuinued during Nasser's period of Arab Socialism, despite the expulsion of Jews and Europeans. Thus for a time we see large numbetrs of Egypotian wearing western dress, especially in the cities. And more so than most Arab countries we see girls as well as boys wearing Western dress. It was also notable in the schools. Traditional clothing continues to be very common, especially in rural areas and we also see it in the cities. The resurgence of Islamic fundamentalism has changed this trend somewhat, especially for girls.

The 19th Century

With the spread of photography from Europe into the Middle East we begin to learn more about Egypt invliding fashion trends (late-19th century). The basic styles worn seem to be essentially the same as those worn since the Arab conquest (7th century) with some added Turkish influences. Photographs taken in the 19th century or even the early-20th century often could represent scenes centuries if not a millennia earlier. All the changes noving Europe into modern times were largely unknown in Egypt and Egypt was the most arguably the most modern of the Arab states. This is an observation of enormous potent. Fashion is a reflection of a much more importaht trend. At a time that the Western world was experiencing enormous social change and technological advances vastly improving economic productivity, Egypt and the Arab world languished in a cultural and economic stupor. The West was not preventing modern learnung and advances. It was Egyptian culture. Many Egyptians today are prone to blame the West and conlonialism for their predicament. The simple fact is that Egyot's backwardness dates not from the British colonial era, but from decline of the Caliphate when Islam began to supress rather than promote learning (13th century). In fact much of the country's modern infrastructure began to be put in place only after the British instituted a protectorate (1880s). There is a total unwillingness in Arab countrtries, not just Efgypr, lack of progress in the modern world as a result of their own culture and Islam.

The 20th Century

Some if these trends are mirrored in fashion and clothing. We begin to see Western dress among the affluent in the cities during the early-20th century. As late as the World War I-era, however, very few Egyptians wore Western dress (figure 1). And we only see European clothing in the cities like Cairo and the more Europeanized Alexandria. We begin to see more European clothing in the cities furing the inter-War era and after World War II. This contuinued during Nasser's period of Arab Socialism, despite the expulsion of Jews and Europeans. Thus for a time we see large numbetrs of Egyptian wearing western dress, especially in the cities. And among the well-to-do this included fashionable Western dress even among the women. And more so than most Arab countries we see girls as well as boys wearing Western dress. It was also notable in the schools. Traditional clothing continues to be very common, especially in rural areas and we also see it in the cities. Many areas of Egypt continued to look virtually like the medievil Caliphate untouched by time. Here economics was a factor. Egypt continued to be an agricultural country and using agricultural methods dating back to ancient times. The yields were thus very low and unable to match the country's growing population. Egypt this became an agricultural country unable to feed itself. Europe solved this problem through industrialization and techhnology. The Arab world did not and notably Egypt was the largest and most influential Arab country. Nasser told the Arabs that it was all due to the Europeans. The problem was that after expelling the Europeans, he could report no real progress and used the West and and Jews to effectively distract public opinion. The resurgence of Islamic fundamentalism has changed this trend somewhat, especially for girls. This change is especially notable among university women. Fashionble Western dress is no longer common and Islamic styles are now prevalent. What has not changed measurably is the quality of instruction. And the Islamic resurgence is proving no more effective than Nassar's Arab Socialism.

Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
[Smocks] [Long pants suits] [Knicker suits] [Short pants suits] [Socks] [Eton suits] [Jacket and trousers]
[Blazer] [School sandals] [School smocks] [Sailor suits] [Pinafores] [Long stockings]

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Created: 1:50 AM 7/21/2012
Last updated: 1:03 AM 5/23/2020