Until the mid-twentieth century, women in the Egyptian countryside and oases wore distinctive costumes. Change occurred rapidly though, and by the end of the century, most of these had become obsolete. To date, only Siwa produces a characteristic outfit, sometimes worn by brides, but more often intended for the benefit of tourists. This article presents a general overview of the characteristic costumes of Egypt’s main regions. It is the fruit of decades of relentless research and exploration of the customs and traditions of each corner of Egypt. In many cases, the dresses presented here are one-of-a-kind intact examples that are all that remain of a rich and varied textile heritage.