Women's Clothing through time

 

When I wrote about identity it made me think about how long skirts has been considered women’s clothing.

Skirts are far older than the idea of “women’s clothing.”
According to historical sources, skirts were originally worn by both men and women in the ancient world.

There is archaeological and historical evidence showing that in Ancient Egypt men wore the shendyt, a wrapped linen skirt and women wore long pleated skirts.

In Mesopotamia, both genders wore wool or sheepskin skirts and in Greece & Rome, draped garments such as togas, chitons, stolas were skirt‑like for both sexes.

So, at this stage, skirts were not gendered. They were simply practical garments.

It was in the Middle Ages that things started to change, in medieval Europe men increasingly adopted trousers or hose. While women continued wearing long, flowing skirts.

This is the period when skirts began to be seen as primarily feminine clothing.

This shift was gradual and tied to climate, horseback riding, and cultural norms. It was from the 15th century that women’s skirts became wider, structured, and decorative think farthingales, hoop skirts and bustles. While men’s fashion moved firmly toward pants.