The shendyt is a garment which was made of cloth and was worn around the waist, typically extending to above the knees, in ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...

ian society. This kilt

Kilt

The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...

 or apron is shown being worn by the Pharaoh

Pharaoh

Pharaoh is a title used in many modern discussions of the ancient Egyptian rulers of all periods. The title originates in the term "pr-aa" which means "great house" and describes the royal palace...

when shown in scenes where he was making offerings or in places which would require movement such as hunting, running and combat.

The shendyt was probably an adaptation from the early hunting skirts that allowed freedom of movement for the wearer.
The military also wore a version of the shendyt, as they too would need freedom of movement for battle. The difference is that the Pharaoh's would have been made of fine pleated linen.

External links

• Appearance of the shendyt in Egyptian culture

• Statue image of King Men-Kau-Re wearing the shendyt kilt http://www.ancient-egypt.co.uk/cairo%20museum/cm,%20statues/images/menkaura-valley-temple-3.jpg

• Group Statue of Ramesses III wearing the shendyt kilt with Horus and Sethhttp://www.globalegyptianmuseum.org/detail.aspx?id=14750