Emirati clothing style is not only a piece of fabric, but a symbol of strong culture, religion, sense of country and convenience in life. UAE clothing should be pragmatic, modest, and symbolic, i.e., it should help to survive in conditions of extreme weather and it has a great deal of Bedouin tradition. Whether visiting or being a resident in the UAE, it is important to know the local dressing code: not just because it is a show of respect but also as an eye opener to connect with its diverse culture. Looking at the Emirati clothing norms men and women, in this article, we are going to do just that since rich traditions are something we are going to learn to appreciate and enjoy to the fullest.
Table of Contents
Emirati Clothing Norms for Men
Dubai is located in an Islamic nation and modesty is an important aspect of a day to day life. The male Emirati clothing style is simple, sophisticated and traditional.
Kandura
Kandura is a white robe that has a full sleeve robe that extends down to the ankle line and is devoid of any collar. It is the main part of male Emirati clothing. This robe is also referred to as Thawb or Dishdasha and is intended to wear in the burning weather of the UAE. Among the characteristic elements of the Emirati Kandura is the matching embroidery of the neck or sleeves that makes it stand out comparing to similar attires in the Gulf region.
Ghutrah
This is the accepted headscarf, mostly white or red-and-white checkered, and this is worn in protection against the sun and the desert winds. The manner and mode of wearing the Ghutrah is also culturally significant and may serve to imply social status.
Agal
Agal is a black cord which holds the head scarf (Ghutrah). It is also a major piece of Emirati clothing for men and may be of varied decoration with reference to position or celebration.
Emirati Clothing Norms for Women
Emirati female attire is natural, also decent and has a lot richness. The dress code is mostly considered as wrapped up and comfortable and portrays cultural identities, thus dark color with complex embroideries are most likely.
Hijab
The best well recognized piece of Emirati female attire is the Hijab. It can be described as a scarf which is to be worn over the hair, ears, and neck. The most widespread types are called Shalya and are rectangular headscarf that may be trimmed in slight ornamentation.
Burqa
Contrary to complete clothing on the rest of the body in other parts, the Burqa in UAE is a metallic looking mask that is worn across the face in traditional Emirati women who were older. It shows humbleness and has historical significance in the Emirati clothing culture.
Abaya
The Abaya is a black cloak of loose fitting and long length covering other clothes. It is probably the most known part of the Emirati clothing for women. Although traditional color is black, the abaya nowadays is trendy and cut stylishly and embroidered sometimes with the mix of both trends and tradition.
Also Read: Top 6 Places That Serve the Tastiest Matcha in Dubai
Final Thoughts
The major way to understand the culture and values of the UAE is through understanding Emirati clothing. The lightweight Kandura garment consists of flowing Abaya, which has both practical and symbolic use. As a tourist or an expat, these dressing standards are an excellent way to demonstrate cultural respect and become a better part of the Emirati society. The UAE may be more modern in plenty of aspects, yet regarding the garments, tradition remains the key idealism, and Emirati clothing still proudly shows their dissimilarity.