The traditional dress of the UAE carries the pride of the Emirates and its history, culture, and religion. It is so comfortable and designed in such a way that it is modest with Islamic norms. The UAE is now the most glamorous country, where 75% of the population is Muslim. The best part is that they have held to their traditional attire even today. They are very modern but have not forgotten their roots. If you are curious and want to know more about Emirati dresses for women, here it is. We will discuss about 6 UAE traditional dresses for girls. Let's dig deeper!
Traditional dress of the UAE - What do Emiratis wear
Most Emirati women wear Abaya, Burqa, Jalabiya, Gishwa, and Kaftan. But the abaya is an all-time favorite dress for both men and women. All the garments are very comfortable and well suited to the hot climate of the UAE. They can wear any color, but for tradition, the color code is white for men and black for women. For example, a long white thobe is for men, and a Black abaya is for women. The women follow the Islamic rules that cover their entire body and head. Here are some women's attire below:
Abaya - Arab women dress
The abaya is a traditional, long, modest dress worn by Muslim women in the United Arab Emirates. But there are two types of abaya, and both men and women can wear them. It is a loose fitting long garment that covers the entire body and fulfills the requirements of Islamic dress. Although the traditional abaya is black, these days, there are different colors and designs for it.
Hijab - For covering the head
The hijab is a veil used by Muslim women to cover the head, neck and ears. Islam rules women to cover their heads, and for this reason, Muslim women wear them. Usually, a hijab is made of very light and soft fabric to feel comfortable. UAE people call it Shila or Shayla, which consists of a light rectangular scarf worn from the shoulders to the head. Its traditional color is also black, but now many colors can be found for hijab. But its important to choose the right color hijab.
Gishwa
Gishwa is a piece of traditional attire used only to cover a woman's face. It is a thin piece of cloth that covers the face and eyes so much that it cannot be recognized, but the face can be seen.
Burqa - Arabic Traditional Dress
The Burqa or Burka is an Islamic cultural garment that covers the entire body except for the eyes. But the burqa in the Emirates is slightly different from that in South Asian countries. It is outside clothes that protect the female's body to avoid skin exposure in public. Women remove the burqa when they return from outside. By and large, it is worn by older Emirati women, but the youth are less inclined towards this clothing trend.
Kaftan and Jalabiya
Kaftan or Jalabiya is one of the most loved traditional dresses for UAE women. They wear it while staying in a family or female household. Kaftan is heavily bordered, and Jalabiya is a lightweight garment. A kaftan is a feminine kandura, and women wear more feminine patterns and colors than masculine white kandura. Women wear Sirwals (loose pants) with kaftans.
Learn more: What is Jalabiya.
UAE Traditional Dress for Men
Emiratis always carry their culture with them. Here are some cultural wears for UAE men.
- Kandura
- Bisht
- Gutras and Shemaghs
- Agal
- Ghutrah
Why do Emiratis wear black?
Emiratis don't always wear black; They also wear colors that convey modesty and grace. But studies have shown that black absorbs heat and creates better circulation. Black is best to avoid strong sunlight and create as much cooling as possible by reflecting sunlight. Also, black is their first choice from the start for women because it is the best for covering the body and is not that attractive. Which is also very helpful for following Islamic rules.
Learn More: What clothes do Muslim wear?
