Men’s Arab Culture Dress varies From Country to Country

Men’s arab culture dress varies from country to country. In Egypt the most popular garment is the kaffiyeh, a hat-like head covering (similar to a beret or bandanna) that’s kept in place by a chord of camel hair.

Women wear abayas, long, loose overgarments that cover the head and body. They can be plain or decorated with embroidery or beads.

Men’s Dress

The Arab world has a rich history of clothing. Understanding the language of fashion is an important part of learning about the culture and history of this region. From the traditional attire to the more modern fashion trends, there is a lot to take in. Here are a few of the most common Arabic terms related to clothing.

Thobe (thwb)

The thobe is a long tunic worn by men in the Arab world. It is often made of light cotton or linen and comes in a variety of colors and designs. It is usually tied at the waist with a belt. Some thobes are embroidered while others have a full front opening like a kimono. The thobe is often paired with the khaffiyah, a scarf that covers the head and neck. The khaffiyah is typically white but can also be red or checkered, with a black chord to hold it in place.

Kufyah (kfyh)

The kufyah is a type of turban that is worn in the Arab world. It is traditionally made of wool but can be cotton, silk, or linen. The kufyah can be adorned with beads, embroidery, or even tassels. It is worn over the abaya to protect the hair from the sun, and it is sometimes worn with a shemagh.

Bisht (bist)

The bisht is a traditional garment of the Arabian world that was once worn by all men, both religious and non-religious. It is a wide cloth that can be worn as a cloak or wrap and was traditionally woven with warps of gold thread and wefts of silk. The bisht was often decorated with symbols and images of animals, gods, or heroes and was used to display a man’s wealth and status. The word “bisht” has Persian roots and means something that is worn on the back.

Kaftan (kftn)

The kaftan is a popular garment in the Arabian world. It is a robe that is sleeveless and covers the shoulders, chest, and lower body. Kaftans are usually made of cotton or silk and come in a variety of colors and patterns. The kaftan is a versatile garment that can be dressed up or down according to the occasion.

Other Traditional Dress

Many other traditional dresses are still worn in the Arab world, both by women and men. Outer gowns or cloaks that incorporate head coverings include the jellaba, which is similar to a robe and may be plain or heavily embroidered; and the burqa, which is an ankle-length dress that is worn by some Muslim women in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Libya. Another traditional mantle is the gandoura, which is worn in Egypt and Tunisia. In the Levant, Western clothing is favored, especially in cities such as Beirut and Damascus. However, in the countryside, people often wear local clothes such as a gallabiya or the jilbab for women and a djellaba or a shemagh mhadab for men. In Lebanon, the taqiya, which is a short skirt, and the serial, baggy trousers, are also commonly seen.