What concerns the Middle East is a region that is steeped in culture, history and tradition. One can identify several of its traditions, and the costume is considered one of the most crucial. Middle Eastern people wear clothes based on religion, culture, climate conditions and personal tastes. However, a general guideline has to be considered for most countries as specific details may point to.
In this blog, you will learn the ins and outs of dressing in the Middle East, from why it matters to the differences between countries and how to dress appropriately during your visit.
1. The Importance of Dress Modesty
Puritanism is adherent to the Middle East. Hence, women dress decently with minimal exposure. This is informed by culture and Islamic religion, which frown upon pride and immodesty. It is mandatory for both genders that the body should be concealed and the overall dress should not be revealing. These dress codes won’t be the same in the Middle East, but there might be some similarities, too. A good piece of advice for Muslims, it doesn’t matter where you are from, like, if you live in Birmingham, when you go for Umrah, you should choose Umrah packages Birmingham with a custom option. With the option, you can visit countries of the Middle East and explore dress codes.
In Islamic culture, garments preserve the modesty of each other’s bodies. However, the extent of modesty might vary with the country, place, or time.
2. Dress Code for Women
There is much disparity in dressing in Middle East women. It is common to see some women dressing in traditional costumes while others are dressed in Western attire, depending on the country and the woman’s desire. Here are the common types of attire for women:
Abaya
The abaya is a long, loose black robe which is all black. It is also popular in many countries, including Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar. The abaya is often worn with a headscarf, a hijab, or the more concealment garment, the niqab.
Hijab
Most of them refer to the hijab as a headscarf that only covers the hair of the wearer and her neck area but not the face. This is common throughout the Middle East, but not everyone must wear it.
Niqab and Burqa
Niqab and Burga are slightly different because the niqab only blinds the face, concealing everything on the face apart from the eyes. In contrast, the whole body, including the face, is covered by a burqa, with the eyes only covered by a mesh screen.
These garments are rare but worn by some very conservative communities.
Western-Inspired Clothing
In urban and cosmopolitan cities and among the young generation, most women like to dress in Western outfits, including jeans, blouses, and dress materials. Nevertheless, it is advisable that the dressing is relatively conservative, the clothes should not be provocative, and no bare necks, goosebumps, or knees can be seen.
3. Dress Code for Men
Another characteristic of the Middle Arabian men’s clothing is that it does not violate the region's modesty traditions. Common types of men’s attire include:
Thobe/Kandura
The thobe or Kandura is a loose white garment akin to the traditional male Arabian dress worn in the countries of the Persian Gulf. It is a symbol of decency and traditionalism, accessorised best when worn with a keffiyeh or a Ghutra.
Keffiyeh/Ghutra
This old-style headscarf is generally used with an agal black rope to hold it in place. The keffiyeh is available in different designs and colours, each symbolising a tribe or a country.
Western Clothing
Most men in the urban areas have to wear trousers suits, shirts and trousers for business or formal events. But even the Western dressing code is relatively modest, and one does not go around in flip-flops and sleeveless T-shirts or shorts.
4. Differences Between Countries
For that matter, the dress code in Middle Eastern countries is rather diverse. This depends on the culture, laws and how liberal the country is. Here’s an overview of dress expectations in some Middle Eastern countries:
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is recognised as one of the most liberal countries in the Middle East. A woman must cover herself with an abaya out in the city, and many women also have their hair covered with a hijab. Men typically wear the thobe and ghutra. But as the years have passed, new changes have given women a better opportunity to wear whatever they want.
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is less conservative than Saudi Arabia. Although the people dress conservatively, the expatriates and tourists can dress in Western countries’ style of dressing. As for swimwear, it may be worn only at the sea, on the beach or at a swimming pool. If you have a heat issue. You need to choose December for dress code exploration. The good advice for Muslims, they can explore the UAE along with Umrah this month. They just need to add this country in December Umrah Packages and grab these from any good travel agency.
Iran
In Iran, women are prohibited from showing their hair or wearing anything tight-fitting on their bodies. Besides, men cannot wear shorts in public.
Turkey
Turkey is an Islamic country with every traditional touch, brief with a touch of modern fashion. As for dressing, it is not forbidden for women to wear veils, while there are no laws obliging men to dress in a specific way, as is the case in all the other liberal Islamic countries.
Lebanon
Today, Lebanon is one of the most liberal nations in the Middle East. Most of the inhabitants of the urban area go naked with advanced dressed and westernised hairstyles, while the rural areas are still cultural.
Jordan and Egypt
These countries' dressing habits are moderate, with the flavour of tradition and modernity. Tourists must dress decently, especially in dressing appropriately in religious and rural places.
5. Religious and Cultural Value
Middle Eastern garments cannot be understood without reference to religion and culture. To Muslims, when the body is covered, worship and honour the Lord. Traditional dresses also depict culture; most people would be proud to possess the originals of their cultural dresses.
For instance, in the Gulf States, the black abaya for women or men’s white thobe symbolises nationhood. Likewise, a product such as the keffiyeh has the equivalent importance in a nation like Palestine.
6. Climate Considerations
High temperatures and a desert-like environment characterise the Middle East region. Cosy and breathable apparel involves loose fabrics like cotton, which protects skin from the sun. Any practical, formal dress like the thobe or the abaya aims to cover the body but stay as cool as possible.
7. Dress Code for Tourists
Visiting the Middle East for tourists should do it with a consideration of certain etiquette and dress code restrictions. Here are some tips for travellers:
Women
Have long skirts, dresses, or pants and top them up with sleeves. For Modesty, take a scarf with you, especially when visiting mosques or areas that are conservative.
Men
Do not walk outside wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts in almost all circumstances. The people should dress in lightweight trousers as well as collared shirts.
Religious Sites
Women's and men's limbs and shoulders should be covered when visiting mosques or churches. Some Arab women may also be forced to cover their hair.
Beachwear
Mainly being a water-related activity, the dress code tolerated at beaches, resorts and pools included swimwear. However, do not wear swimming costumes outside areas of beach attire.
8. Changing Trends in Fashion
The dressing style in the Middle East is changing little by little. The incorporation of modern fashion in traditional wear is in daylight, and current generations especially the young ones, have embraced global trends in dressing supported by Bajwa et al. For instance, while some women wear abayas over elegant handbags and fashionable shoes, other men will wear their thobes over expensive wristwatches.
Most designers in Middle Eastern countries are comfortable borrowing a bit from both the conventional and the current, offering a relatively new form of fashion that embraces the cultures there.
9. On Middle Eastern Clothing - Dispelling the Myths
Most people hold certain myths about dressing in the Middle East, as described below. Some people think all women are oppressed into covering themselves or that the dress is too conservative. Most individuals wear conventional dresses due to pride, religious beliefs or pastime.
The modelling and dressing code diversities are evident due to the cultural pluralism of the population in this particular region. From the beautifully coloured kaftans of the Moroccans to the stylish abayas of the countries in the gulf, ‘it’s anything but dull’.
10. Respecting Local Customs
Being polite to people in the Middle East is widely sensitive, so when visiting the region, they need to respect these dress codes. It assists you in relevant social interactions that will prevent you from offending the locals inadvertently. When choosing clothing to pack for the trip, it’s always important to investigate general/universal rules for dress in the country you’ll be visiting and dress slightly more conservatively than you might otherwise feel comfortable with.
Conclusion
The dress code in the Middle East is an interesting cocktail of custom, faith, and convenience. Humility is still highly valued, but the rules differ in different countries, and specific national dress peculiarities exist. Irrespective of your status, whether living or a guest, acceptance of the area’s dressing code will only improve your stay and help you understand the importance of clothes in the culture. There are no lists: Wearing appropriate clothing is more than rules; it’s respect for the Middle Eastern people and their culture.
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