Unless you’re a tailor or good at sewing, replicating the exact look of a Minoan woman may not be impossible, but it would certainly pose a challenge. You can find some of my own budget-friendly renditions here. But there are ways to achieve the overall essence of this ancient Aegean look, which is what I’ll be diving into in this article. You may even already have some similar  items in your closet! And if you are an avid sewer unlike myself, then I highly recommend this amazing tutorial for both women’s and men’s Minoan outfits by Daisy Viktoria.

The Minoan Skirt

The biggest statement piece is the long flounced/pleated skirt. When looking for a long skirt, the main keywords would be maxi, tiered, layered, waterfall, ruffled, and multicolored.

The Minoan Bodice

For the upper garment, look for a cropped open-front bolero shrug. Half-sleeve is preferred, but long, short, or no sleeves work, too. 80s embroidered styles, especially (the third one was made in Greece):

A suzani embroidered vest is a great alternative as well:

Minoan Footwear

For shoes, try Greek-style strappy sandals with no heel, or you can go barefoot:

Minoan Makeup

• thick black cat-eye eyeliner
• red lipstick
• black eyebrow pencil for a more striking look
• that same red lipstick can also be used to draw matching little suns on your cheeks, chin, and forehead (more Mycenaean than Minoan but still captures the Minoan vibe quite well – Mycenaean fashion was also deeply influenced by Minoan styles). I saw a reel by public historian Han Parker where she colored the top of her lipstick cap with lipstick and stamped it on her face (so clever but maybe a little too big for my liking). She then used a fine makeup brush (or you can use a cotton swab) to fine-tune it and add the smaller circles around it.

Minoan Jewelry and Accessories

• golden bangles
• golden arm cuffs
• colorful beaded chokers
• long tassels to tie around the waist
• Minoan-inspired pendants and dangling earrings

The Minoan Hairstyle

• partial updo
• curled or wavy long dark hair with lots of volume (you can wear a black wig if necessary)
• curled strands, especially along the front
• thick headbands
• a string of pearls or beads

To find out more about Minoan women’s fashion, read this.