Traditional dress of United Arab Emirates

Custom Qamis takes you to the UAE to discover the tradition Emirati costume. We'll see what makes it similar to the traditional clothing of countries Border Middle East, nevertheless with some peculiarities of its own. Zooming the Emirati dress.

When the sun dictates fashion
The traditional Emirati costume has its origins in Arab bedouin culture. An ancestral tradition which perpetuates since generations. Situated in the Arabian peninsula between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, the Emirati live under the sun all year long. A geographical situation marked by a hot and dry climate, which necessitate an adaptated clothing to protect Emirati from the heat and sand winds.

The Emirati Keffieh

The Emirati keffieh is the official head-gear of the Emirati of all social classes and ages. At the beginning, the keffieh was plain white, and was called “ghutra” or “ghoutra”. But, more and more Emirati wear keffiehs in red and white tiles. Whether ghoutra or keffiyeh , the scarf can be worn in two ways: either with a iqal or knotted behind the head.

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The agal

The agal, also known as the “iqal” or “aqal” is a male accessory which permits to hold the keffeih. It's about a black hoop bent double loops made from goat wool core. The iqal is quite heavy, and, judged not convenient by the new generation, it's starting to be neglected by young Emirati who prefer to simply knott their keffieh behind their head.

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The Emirati dishdasha

Known as “dishdasha” or “kandoura”, the Emirati qamis is the traditionnal clothing by excelence. Long dress, wide, slight and fresh, it constitutes the main male costume. What makes the particularity of the UAE dishdasha is that it has no collar and it's decorated with embroidered edging on the bust as a triangle, with small buttons cotton ball shaped. The Emirati has a long qamis braided string called " tarboucha "; a kind of fine tie longer than the Omani qamis . It looks like a kind of " bobble " that Emiratis love imbibe Agar wood species. A way for them to generously spread the scent all around them. It occurs more often in white cotton kandoura but Emiratis carry the blue and mustard in winter woven in wool.

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The bisht

Traditional coat accompanying the qamis, the bisht is mainly worn by imams, the mouadhins (those who call to prayer) during the Friday sermon, and married. Equated with bunting, we find the Emirati bisht in white, black, brown or beige with gold embroidery. The most prestigious are made from camel hair. As for those that are found everywhere in the market, they are actually simple cotton, polyester. This coat that looks like a coat is the pageantry of Arab governors, scholars, imams, and politicians. UAE during weddings, the groom will be noticed by its bisht when guests will be satisfied only their keffiyeh and their dishdasha .

Source : Pinterest

Sharjah, Abou Dhabi,  Dubaï, Fujairah, Ras el Khaimah et Oumm al Qaïwaïn, wherever you go in the UAE, don't forget to own the traditional emirati costume.