Muslim men’s dress carefully balances tradition and fashion, with many choosing native garments that align with their religious practices.
Fashion among Muslim men has evolved, ranging from the classic thobe and shalwar kameez worn in the Middle East to modern trends embraced by Arab men in London.
To Muslim communities in the USA and UK, this synthesis of tradition and postmodernism is the perfect key to how they can feel proud of their roots while being genuinely stylish.
Muslim men’s garments are not only pieces of cloth but also signify honour and modesty. The Quran provides guidance on dressing with purpose and modesty:
يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْآتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ
“O children of Adam, We have sent down to you clothing to cover your private parts and as adornment. But the clothing of righteousness—that is best.”
(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:26)
This verse emphasises that the clothing used to cover and decorate a person should be Righteousness and Humility. Muslim men’s dress, therefore, is more than aesthetics; it has much to do with their adherence to Islamic values.
Major Trends in Modern Men’s Clothing among Popular Muslims
Thobe (or Thawb)
The thobe, arguably the most frequently worn garment by Muslim men, is well known across the Middle East and North Africa. This dress is ankle length and very fitting; this makes it reflect modesty by adequately hiding the body. Initially, it is white as it emanates the purity aspect, but it can be seen in black, especially during winter, evening, and other formal occasions. Thobe is comfortably worn by Muslim men in the USA and the UK during special occasions and other religious ceremonies to express their cultural and spiritual heritage.
Shalwar Kameez
Shalwar kameez is a clothing found in South Asia nowadays. It combines a long loose tunic kameez and loose pants shalwar. Its comfort and elegant appearance make it suitable for both daily wear and formal occasions.
Many Muslim men who stay in Western countries say that the shalwar kameez has cultural meaning for them, and they can identify themselves proudly. Like Pajamas in Pakistan, India & Afghanistan, the shalwar kameez is made simple but embroidered for occasions like weddings.
Jubba and Bisht
Jubba is popular in the Arabian Peninsula, similar to the thobe, though fitted more often. The Bisht is an outer worn over the Jubba during ceremonies, events of honour, or religious services. Sometimes, the best is worn by older members of the culture, such as scholars, spiritual leaders, and other essential persons in society. For Muslim men in the West, especially the Arabs, the Jubba and bisht are worn during special occasions like weddings or religious occasions like Eid.
The New Trend in Muslim Men’s Clothing
Modest Streetwear
A major current fashion in male Muslim outfits, particularly among youthful people, is casual wear. This style incorporates aspects of everyday comfort with Islamic decency, loose joggers, hoodies, and longline shirts. American and British Muslim men gravitate towards modest clothing that makes Islamic streetwear modern and fashionable without compromising religion and personality.
Blending Tradition and Modernity in Fashion
Blending traditional wear with modern clothing, at least as outerwear, is now popular since it makes it possible to achieve functionality, primarily in cooler regions. For instance, Muslim men can wear a jacket and a Jubba over it or wear a scarf over their thobe. This enables them to convert and wear cultural apparel to fight Western climate and fashion.
Custom Tailoring
Custom thobe designs are becoming popular among Muslim men who wish to maintain a fashionable appearance while adhering to religious dress codes. These garments, such as thobes or shalwar kameez, can be tailored for a flattering fit without being overly revealing.
Men prefer suits for formal occasions such as weddings because they have a fashionable and decent feel, allowing Muslim men to have dignity without compromise.
Essential Wardrobe Pieces in Muslim Men’s Dress
Kufi Cap
The Kufi is a small round cap worn by Muslim men, especially in prayers or other religious ceremonies, because it represents humility. Most Muslim men living in the USA and UK wear the Kufi, which is occasioned by their religious beliefs, any time they are attending religious events, such as during mosque congregation prayers.
Long-sleeve shirts and loose-fitting trousers
Untucked long-sleeved shirts and loose-fitting trousers are modest, everyday outfits suitable for Middle Eastern men, particularly those living in Western countries. This type of clothing aligns with the Islamic dress code, as many Asian cultures have traditionally favored loose clothing for its comfort and modesty.
Prayer Shawl (Ghutra or Shemagh)
The ghutra is similar to the shemagh or keffiyeh, a cultural piece of cloth primarily used as a headscarf in a specific region of the Middle East. It is part of the male dress code for performing prayers or attending more formal occasions for proud cultural affiliations. The ghutra holds social and cultural significance for Muslim men in the USA and UK.
Islamic Guidance on Modesty in Muslim Men’s Dress
Religious teachings discourage extravagance or excessive dressing, and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) supported this view through his guidance. He emphasized dressing well but avoiding flashy or ostentatious fashions. The balance lies between dressing appropriately and maintaining modesty without indulgence.
He said:
“كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَالْبَسُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا فِي غَيْرِ إِسْرَافٍ وَلا مَخِيلَةٍ”
“Eat, drink, give charity, and wear clothes without extravagance or pride.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
This hadith confirms that modest clothing indicates a humble and genuine person. Muslim men’s dress, therefore, should exclude extra glorious apparel and be simple and in line with Islamic beliefs. Selecting clothes in these regards is a form of paying tribute to faith and culture.
Conclusion: Men and traditions: Suits and modernity in the Muslim man
Muslim men’s fashion beautifully fuses cultural and traditional attire with modern styles influenced by religious values.
From Eastern conventional apparel such as Thobe and Shalwar kameez to the most straightforward, modest, trendy wear, Muslim men in the USA and UK have a versatile choice.
Wearers view these garments not merely as fashion statements but as a reflection of Islamic teachings against vanity and a celebration of cultural identity.
For Muslim men, choosing meaningful, modest attire fosters self-respect and strengthens their connection to community and values.
This combination of tradition with the contemporary makes for an energetic, genuine fashion that is faithful to the tenets of Islam while alive to the realities of the world’s setting.
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