On the other hand, people living in the cities are more attentive to the latest fashion trends, while in smaller towns and rural contexts men and women still prefer traditional attires because of their comfort and the protection they offer from the sun, the wind and the sand. A third factor could be social class. On the one hand, designer clothes from the West are very popular among the middle and upper class, while traditional garments and more conservative attires might be more easily found in popular neighbourhoods.
While this could be true for certain countries in the Levant and North Africa, the criteria most definitely change for Gulf countries where all women and men wear similar clothes and it is actually the quality and design of the abaya, an expensive bag, or a pair of sunglasses to reveal the social class of the wearer. Before analyzing which clothes belong to which country we must clarify some general misconceptions related to Middle Eastern clothing, as well as introducing the basic terms of Arab fashion.
The term hijab is commonly used to refer to the headscarf worn by many Muslim women. Hijab is in fact also a general term for modest attires which include head covering. The term veil includes a notable variety of headgears which come in a multitude of shapes, lengths, and fabrics.
There are different kinds of veils and women wear them not only as a religious or cultural sign of belonging to a certain society, but also consider them an important fashion statement. Hijabs have different styles and colours and women wearing a hijab muhajjabat in Arabic are always up to date with the latest trends, just as Western women know whether an item is out-dated or not.
It soon became very popular, especially in the trendsetter country of the region: the UAE. However, by it was already considered out of fashion.
A long scarf that is wrapped around the head, pinned under the chin and gently rests on the shoulders. It is usually worn on top of a cap of a matching colour, which helps to keep the hijab in place. It is the most common kind of hijab, particularly in the Gulf countries with the exception of Saudi Arabia. It is very easy to wear and it is made of a head cap and a tubular scarf worn on top of it. The main difference between Shayla and Al-Amira is the shape of the scarf rectangular for the shayla, tubular for the al-amira and the head cap hidden or only slightly visible in the former, while a big portion is left exposed in the latter.
It can be seen in the Middle East, even though it is particularly widespread in the South East Asian Muslim community. NIQAB : a face veil which is usually worn with a headscarf and tied behind the head. It leaves a gap for the eyes only, even though some women add an eye veil which allows them to see without revealing their eyes. It is not unusual to see a niqab in North Africa or the Levant, but it is most commonly used in Saudi Arabia.
Photo credit: Riccardo Romano. The face is left uncovered. It is not as popular as the previous types of head covering; still, some women wear it in their daily life. NO, generally speaking. This is an item characteristic of Pakistan and Afghanistan and was imposed by the Taliban and it is not paramount in the Arab world, even though some countries such as Yemen have their own version of the burqa or burghaa which differs from the Afghan one.
It is not to be confused with the niqab, which is indeed commonly used in the Middle East. The differences:. Photo credit:Tribes of the World. Only men in the Gulf are used to daily wear the headscarf and the white robe. The headscarf ghuthrain the Gulf, keffiah in the Levant is tied on the head with a black piece of cord aghal and is used with a skullcap called thagiyah which keeps the hair in place.
It shows how the perception of decency and modest clothing dramatically changes from one country to the other within the Middle East. Most of the times we will see how these opinions are then reflected in the way Arabs dress. For example, it is indeed true that many women in Lebanon do not cover their hair, on the contrary, the majority of women in Saudi Arabia wear a niqab. We can identify 4 main areas when it comes to clothes: North Africa, the Levant, the Gulf, and finally, Sudan.
Walking through the streets of Rabat or Tunis we see many men and women donning Western clothes. So how can we tell if they are actually Moroccan or Tunisian, only by the way they are dressed?
It is actually quite straightforward once we identify those robes or head gears that are unique to that country. Many Moroccans still wear the djellaba , a wide and comfortable hooded tunic with long sleeves which can be considered as a part of the national heritage. They are more colourful for women, while they are made in earth tones for men.
Moroccans might accompany the tunic with the traditional slippers called balgha , which come mostly in yellow, but other colours are used, too. Kaftan : an overdress similar to the djellaba but without a hood. It is usually worn on festive occasions or weddings, it is not used in daily life.
Spotting a traditional outfit in Tunisia may be quite challenging, especially in the cities. But a trip to the medina in Tunis or attending a marriage could give you a chance to admire the beauty of Tunisian traditional clothes. Sefsari : while it is rarely worn, there are indeed some elderly women that still use this long, white veil. Head for the old part of Tunis if you want to see one. Chachia : some older men still wear this flat red hat made of wool. It is a symbol of the Tunisian traditions.
Much like Tunisia, Algeria has also been heavily influenced by the West when it comes to clothes, thus seeing a typical Algerian attire might be difficult. Elderly men and women are most likely to wear these two typical items of clothing:. Karakou : Algerian women love colours and embroideries. This traditional embroidered jacket has made its big return on the Algerian fashion scene and is now used on important occasions and weddings. Young Libyans normally don jeans and t-shirts.
However, it is sufficient to leave the city and approach the rural areas inhabited by the Berbers to see the original Libyan attire. Haik : this veil, almost forgotten in Algeria, is still worn by some Libyan Berber women, as well as Moroccan.
It is a long white piece of cloth which covers the whole body. Holi :a white cloak wrapped around the body, usually worn with the tagiyah.
This notwithstanding, the inhabitants of some peripheral area of Cairo, as well as the great majority of the so called fellahin farmers still prefer more traditional and airy attires. Gallabya : much like the djellaba and the gandoura, the gallabya is also a long tunic without buttons or a proper neck.
It comes in colourful and embroidered variations for women and in neutral colours for men. The particularity of Egypt is that some men were this cap on its own.
Egyptian sailor wearing a gallabiya Man in Cairo donning gallabiya and taqiya. Similarly to the countries in the Maghreb, Western clothes are predominant also in the Levant, especially in big cities such as Beirut or Damascus.
However, there are also many local garments and attires that can be seen in the cities themselves, as well as the countryside. We have shown that all the countries in al-Maghreb have some items of clothing in common such as the gandura or the barnous, a hooded djellaba. The same is true for the Levant. Nonetheless, there are always some particular headgears or tunics which are unique to a certain country. Niqab, hijab, jilbab, jeans, t-shirts, khimar: these are only a part of the vast array of clothes worn by Jordanians.
While in the western part of the capital Amman, Western-style clothes are widespread; it is common to see more traditional and conservative attires in the area of downtown and eastern Amman, as well as in smaller towns.
Shemagh mhadab : this red checked keffieh is widespread in the Gulf, too, especially in Saudi Arabia. It is the colour that is typical of Jordan as it stands for the values of the Bedouin culture: the bigger the tassels, the higher the importance of the wearer.
Like Jordan the beauty of traditional Palestinian clothes has almost been forgotten, as most people in cities such as Ramallah or Jerusalem wear jeans and t-shirts if they are men; jilbabs, Western clothes and hijab if women. However, there is one headgear which has come to represent this country, especially thanks to Yasser Arafat:. Black and white keffieh : this colour pattern has always been unique to Palestine and it even became a fashionable item in America and Europe in the early s.
Nowadays it still represents support for the Palestinian cause. This traditional embroidered jacket has made its significant return on the Algerian fashion scene and is now used on noteworthy occasions and weddings. Algerian men clothing :. Young Libyans usually wear jeans and t-shirts. However, it is sufficient to leave the city and approach the rural areas inhabited by the Berbers to see the original Libyan attire.
Lybian women and men clothing:. Just walking through the streets of Cairo will enchant you with a wide range of Arabic clothes and attires. However, inhabitants of some peripheral area of Cairo and the great majority of the so-called fellahin farmers still prefer traditional and breezy attires. Egyptian women clothing:. It comes in colourful and embroidered variations for women and more neutral colours for men. Egyptian men clothing:. The particularity of Egypt is that some men wear this kind of cap on its own.
The Levant Region. Like the Maghreb countries, Western clothes are predominant in the Levant, especially in big cities such as Beirut or Damascus. However, many local garments and attires can be seen in big cities and not just in the countryside. While the same rule applies to the Levant, some particular headgears or tunics are unique to each country. Western-style clothes are widespread, especially in the western part of the capital Amman.
However, it is common to see more traditional and conservative attires in downtown and eastern Amman, and of course, in the smaller towns.
Jordanian women clothing:. Jordanian men clothing:. The more significant the tassels, the higher the importance of the wearer. Like Jordan, the beauty of traditional Palestinian clothes has been replaced with a western mix. Palestinian women and men clothing :.
However, the country has a specific chequered type of headgear that now represents the country on a global stage, thanks to Yasser Arafat. Nowadays, it represents support for the Palestinian cause. Among all the Arab countries, Lebanon deserves, arguably, the title of most fashionable and stylish.
Many women do not wear a hijab, especially in the capital city, Beirut. Lebanese women and men clothing :. Serials are one of the very few traditional garments still worn by some Lebanese countrymen, however, on their own, without a thobe. Serials are so fashionable that even a female version was created. Much like the other Levantinian countries, Syria has seen more and more men and women opting for Western-style clothes. Most women wear a hijab, and some sport a jilbab or even an abaya and niqab, while some older men can still be seen with keffiyeh and long tunics.
However, they have disappeared from urban areas and are worn in the countryside only on special occasions. Syrian women clothing :. It is dyed black and red and often accompanied by a belt of the same colour. Syrian men clothing :. You find them long, loose, and in black or other neutral colours.
The Gulf Countries. When it comes to the Gulf, it is quite easy to spot the locals, as compared to most countries in the region, they have persisted in wearing traditional Arabic clothing styles.
This tunic is often worn with short sherwal trousers and a ghutra, alight, white headscarf, or the keffiyeh, in the colder season. Women wear wide, long robes called abayas, usually associated with a Shayla hijab that shows some hair and a niqab.
Even if men thobes men and women abaya for may seem the same everywhere in the region, some small details allow us to understand whether we are talking to a Qatari, a Kuwaiti, or an Omani. Saudi Arabia. Saudi men and women have kept wearing their traditional Arabic clothing items, and adherence to the moderate Islamic dress for both sexes is an absolute must.
Saudi women clothing :. Only in cities such as Jeddah and Dammam are women allowed to walk around without the face veil. Saudi men clothing :.
It has a two buttoned neck, it is tight and made to have cufflinks Kabak. Even if only 25 per cent of the 2. The most common garments are:. Qatari women clothing :. Qatari men clothing :. The 1. Here are the typical Kuwaiti garments:. Kuwaiti women clothing :. It is often seen at weddings, formal meetings, traditional dance events, and so on.
Kuwaiti men clothing :. Shemagh : the Kuwaiti shumagh is white and characterised by a scale shape when observed from the front. Dishdasha : Similar to the classic one, the Kuwaiti dishdasha has a distinguishing one-button collar. Bahrain might not be as known as Saudi Arabia when it comes to Arabic clothing and culture, but it is nothing short regarding history, biodiversity, and, of course, fashion.
Bahrani women clothing :. Bahrani men clothing :. Worn loose, it lets the head move freely. The UAE has a highly complex Arabic clothing fashion panorama. While Dubai is the most progressive state among the Emirates in terms of clothing, all other areas remain conservative.
Fashion has evolved here incredibly fast. Serials are so fashionable that even female versions were created. Arabic Clothing in Syria Much like the other Levantinian countries, Syria sees its men and women opting for Western-style clothes.
Older women wear hijabs, jilbabs, abaya, and niqabs. Similarly, some older men can still be seen with a keffiyeh and long tunics. Syrian Men Clothing Long, loose, and in black or other neutral colors, serial trousers are, just like in Lebanon, a key part of the traditional Syrian attire.
In RSA, adherence to Islamic clothing and moderate dressing for both sexes is an absolute must. Only in cities such as Jeddah and Dammam are women allowed to walk around without the face veil.
Gloves — it is not uncommon to see women wearing black gloves to cover their hands and arms. Saudi Men Clothing Shemagh — is the Saudi name for the typical Jordanian keffiyeh, worn by Saudis in the winter, as a replacement to the ghutra.
Dishdasha — a typical Saudi thobe that resembles a long shirt. The most common garments are: Qatari Women Clothing Al-darra — some Qatari women wear this local version of the black abaya described above.
Qatari Men Clothing Shemagh — the Qatari shemagh is typically white and has an African feeling thanks to the two tails on the back and the stiff front part, which resembles a cobra snake. Dishdasha — the Qatari dishdasha comes in shiny fabrics and usually has a pocket. Arabic Clothing in Kuwait The 1.
It is often seen at weddings, formal meetings, traditional dance events, and so on. Kuwaiti Men Clothing Shemagh: the Kuwaiti shemagh is white and characterized by a scale shape when observed from the front. Arabic Clothing in Bahrain Bahrain might not be as known as Saudi Arabia when it comes to Arabic clothing and culture, but it is nothing short regarding history, biodiversity, and, of course, fashion.
Bahrani Women Clothing Abaya — lookout for red abayas with golden embroideries because they are worn only on special occasions.
Red — is the national color, and it is not unusual to see women wearing accessories of this color on important days. Bahrani Men Clothing Shemagh — white is the most widespread color. Worn loose, it lets the head move freely. Dishdasha — the Bahraini thobe is very comfortable, loose, and is usually paired with a shirt collar. Westernized fashion has evolved here incredibly fast.
If in the past sirwal and burqa were a must-wear for women. However, these pieces of classic Arabic clothing have been replaced with abaya in recent years. Moreover, the classic white thobe now comes in a wide variety of colors. Emirati Women Clothing Abaya — Dubai is the land of fashionable and trendy abayas decorated with sequins, embroideries, and ribbons. It is styled quite loose, over the shoulders. Kandora — is the UAE name for dishdasha, a collarless and features a long tassel called tarboosh.
More recently, it is fashionable for men in the UAE to wear American-style baseball or trucker hats with their white or brown Kandora. Arabic Clothing in Oman The southern sultanate is very mindful of its culture and national heritage, Arabic clothing included. Western-style clothes have no space in the country, except for tourists, of course. Traditional Omani attires could not be complete without: Omani Women Clothing Abaya — the black abaya with some colorful details is most common in the capital Masqat.
Dishdasha — just like Omani men, Omani women of rural areas wear this traditional tunic in a great variety of colors and with rich details. Lahav — a typical headscarf wrapped around the head.
Omani Men Clothing Kumma — there is no space for the shemagh in Oman. Here, shemagh is substituted by the traditional cap, which comes in different colors and has holes to keep the head cool.
Muzzar — a turban wrapped around the head, with or without a kumma underneath. Dishdasha: it can be white or in earth tones such as brown or grey. It sports a short tassel, too. Arabic Clothing in Yemen This country has preserved an extraordinary heritage in terms of history and traditions.
Yemeni clothes are just another expression of how much Yemenis follow their customs. Still, it is not uncommon for men to wear Western clothes in the cities. Lithia — more or less the Yemeni version of the niqab. Nowadays, only older women wear this colorful piece of cloth, covering them from head to toes. Yemeni Men Clothing: Shawl — a headscarf, similar but somehow different from the shemagh, is wrapped around the head just like a turban, and it comes in many different colors.
Arabic Clothing in Sudan The fashion style of Sudan is unique and easily recognizable. Sudanese wear many of the Arabic garments widespread in the rest of the Middle East. According to the occasion, it is wrapped all around the body and the head, and it comes in varying patterns and colors. Older women generally don it as the younger generation wears alternatives such as abayas, long skirts, and dresses. Hijab — being a Muslim country, all Sudanese women wear a headscarf, sometimes underneath the thobe.
Sudanese Men Clothing Jalabiya — just like the Egyptians, Sudanese men like being comfortable clothes, such as loose-fitting tunics. Sudanese tend to supplement it with a decorated scarf.
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