The United Arab Emirates is a country in the Gulf or the Middle Eastern region. A prosperous country, the UAE is home to two of the most glamorous and modern cities: Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While the UAE is marching ahead with its architecture, innovation, and technology, its heart remains traditional. This is reflected in their way of life, including the way they behave in public. One of the ways the people of the UAE or Emiratis have held on to their cultures is through their attire. Even told Emirati men and women prefer to wear their traditional dress during their daily life, especially while stepping out of their homes. Here you will find a comprehensive guide that will give you all the information you need to know about UAE traditional dress for both men and women.
Traditional Dress of UAE: An Overview
The traditional dress of the UAE is the reflection of the country’s culture, religion, and climate as well. Emirati men and women dress up to be lieu with the principles of Islam, which require modesty. The traditional outfit of the Emirati men and women is designed to cover the entire body. However, this is not its only purpose. The dresses of men and women in the UAE are also designed for practicality and are perfect to protect oneself from the harsh climate of the desert. While the Emirati dress may look like the outfits worn by the other Muslim countries in the Arabian Peninsula, there are slight differences.
Traditional Dress for Men in UAE
You do not have to go far to see the traditional dress for male in the UAE. Most Emiratis wear it every day. It is also the uniform of the government staff. The complete Emirati men’s outfit consists of 3-4 elements. Here you will get to know all the aspects of the traditional dress of UAE male.
Kandura
The main element of the men’s Emirati outfit is the kandura. This is a long, ankle-length robe and is usually white in color. The Emirati kandura has no collar and comes with long sleeves. While it may look like the men’s outfit in other Islamic countries, what makes it different is the embroidery that is found in the neck and sleeve areas of the Emirati kandura. Another special feature of this traditional outfit for men is the Al Farukah, which is a twisted, tassel-like thing that hangs around the front through the neck. White is the most common color of the Kandura, although beige and grey colored kanduras are also worn by Emirati men. White is usually worn during summers, and the material is also light weight. On the other hand, the colored kanduras are usually worn during winter months, where the material is also a bit thicker.
Gutra and Shemagh
The traditional Emirati kandura is not complete without a headgear, which is called gutra or shemagh. The purpose of the headscarf is to protect the wearer’s head and face from the harsh sun of the desert land. Gutra is a square-shaped, white-colored scarf, while the shemagh comes in white and red checks. The white gutra is mostly worn by the older generation, while the younger generation prefer the shemagh. There are different ways of wearing these headscarves, depending on a person’s importance, status, and even personal preferences.
Agal
The Agal is another headgear that is worn to keep the gutra in place. The Agal is a long rope-like band that is twisted twice in circles to form two rings on the head. What makes the Emirati Agal unique is that it has two ropes hanging at the back with tassels at the end, which enhance its aesthetics.
Bisht
Bisht is a cloak that is part of the traditional outfit for men in the UAE. This is a sleeveless cloak that comes with silver and gold embroidery and is worn over the Kandura. But like Kandura, the Bisht is not part of the daily attire. In the earlier times, the Bedouins used the Bisht during winters to keep them warm from the desert chill. But today, it is usually worn during special occasions like festivals and weddings. It is also a symbol of pride and prestige and often worn by people of royalty.
Footwear
Most Emirati men wear open-toed sandals known as Na-al along with the kandura. These are handcrafted leather sandals that are usually strapless. Camel or ostrich leather is used for making these sandals. They are simple and perfect for daily life and ideal for the hot climate of the desert city.
Traditional Dress for Women in UAE
The traditional dress of UAE female is integral to the culture and religion of the place. It is designed based on the principles of modesty and also the need to protect oneself from the desert sun.
Abaya
The abaya may look like a female version of the kandura. It is a long, loose, and fitted gown-like outfit that Emirati women wear daily. However, the abaya is not a robe like the kandura. Rather, it is a cloak that women wear over their regular clothes in public. The color of the abaya is usually black, although abayas in different colors are also available nowadays. The abaya has long sleeves and covers the entire body of the women who wear them. Abayas are available in cotton and linen. However, the most popular material used to make abayas is crepe. The abaya is not limited to the UAE. Rather, this is an outfit worn by Muslim women all over the world.
Hijab
Hijab is a headscarf worn along with the abaya. The hijab is tied to cover the neck and hair of the woman wearing it. It is made of a light material and is traditionally black in color. There are different versions of the hijab. There is the Shyla, which is a rectangular scarf, which is worn across the shoulders and covers the head loosely. There is also the Burqa, which covers the face with a lightweight material. However, this is not very popular in the UAE.
Kaftan or Jalabiyya
Another traditional outfit women by Emirati women is the kaftan, also known as Jalabiyya. This is a colorful version of the kandura and comes with long, loose sleeves. The kaftans come in a variety of colors, often embellished with laces and other decorative stuff. They are made of both cotton and lighter fabrics. Emirati women usually wear Jalabiyya during festive occasions and family gatherings. You will find young girls wearing festive kaftans during national day celebrations and such. Simpler kaftans are worn at home for everyday use.
Accessories
The footwear that Emirati women wear are similar to that of men. The sandals that women wear with their traditional outfit is usually open-toe sandals with no strap at the back. Although the abaya covers most of the body, Emirati women are still found of jewelry, especially bracelets, rings, and earrings. Wearing kohl in the eyes and applying henna on their hands and feet are also integral part of Emirati culture. Traditional perfumes like oud and attar are used liberally by both Emirati men and women.
Significance of UAE Traditional Dress
The designs and styles of the UAE traditional clothes have evolved over the years, but this elegant outfit is still worn with reverence and respect by the Emiratis. The national dress holds lot of importance to the Emirati men and women. While it is worn during UAE National Day and other such celebrations, wearing the national dress is not limited to these occasions. Most Emiratis wear their national dress for work, casual outings, and more, thus honoring the culture and heritage of their country.
Apart from national identity, the traditional outfits of the Emiratis are a deep reflection to their faith. Islamic principles give deep stress to modesty and virtue, and this is exactly what the outfits represent. As the Emiratis are deeply religious, they prefer to wear the kandura and abaya in their everyday as well.
The national dress of Emirati men and women is connected to the ancient Bedouin culture, when their ancestors lived in the desert. These outfits are designed to make living in the desert easier. While the white colored kanduras helped the men to stay cool under the harsh desert sun, the black abayas and burqa protected the women from dust and heat.
UAE Traditional Dress in Modern Times
Wearing the UAE traditional dress, i.e., the Kandura and Abaya are not limited to the older generation. On the other hand, the younger generation also wear the traditional dress with great pride. Over the years, the national dress has evolved to adapt to the tastes of the newer generation.
Today, you will see kanduras in different colors like grey, light blue, beige, etc. Youngsters prefer to wear the colored kanduras as casual wear, while white kanduras are meant for formal occasions. Apart from the colors, you will also see subtle variations in designs and fabrics to accommodate the current trends.
Abayas have gone through many transformations. Both abayas and hijab are available in a variety of colors. You will also see numerous changes in the cuts and styles of the abayas. Embellishments like lace, embroidery, beadwork, etc., are also seen in the abayas and hijab of women in the UAE. You will also find Emirati traditional outfits with Swarovski crystals in the UAE. So much is the popularity of such modern designs that high-end brands like Chanel and Dior also have launched abayas in their labels.
UAE Traditional Dress for Tourists and Expats
As a tourist, you may want to try the UAE traditional dress for the cultural experience. There are no rules that say that you cannot. In fact, you are encouraged to try them on. You can try the traditional Emirati dresses while visiting heritage villages, cultural centers, and even at desert safari camps. You will have to wear kandura and abaya while visiting mosques like Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai and Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Many photo studios offer tourists the opportunity to wear these traditional outfits and click photographs. Some Dubai packages may also offer this opportunity. However, whenever you wear these outfits, it is important to follow some guidelines.
- Â It is crucial to be respectful and sensitive while wearing the traditional UAE outfit, be it the kandura for men or the abaya for women.
- Â You must wear it the way it is worn by the locals. Over accessorizing or not wearing headgear should be avoided.
- Â Do not wear it like a fancy costume, just for fun. The traditional outfit of the UAE is a symbol of its pride and identity and hence you must respect it.
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Featured Where to Buy Traditional Dress in UAE
There are plenty of places to buy the Emirati traditional dress in the UAE. The souks or traditional markets will offer you a wide variety of choices. If you are looking for a traditional outfit with a modern touch, shopping at a store in a mall would be a good idea. Cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, etc., also have boutiques specializing in abayas and kanduras. Here you can get your traditional outfit custom stitched as per your requirements.
Conclusion
The UAE traditional dress is an important part of its culture and heritage. Do take the opportunity to try the outfit and know about its importance during your visit to the UAE.
