National clothes in the UAE primarily reflect the national life and religious preferences of the Arab people. In addition, centuries-old traditions strictly take into account the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of the region. It is worth noting that the vast majority of the inhabitants of the Emirates prefer national clothes - this is a kind of tribute to the traditional and religious way of life.

Clothes of local residents of the UAE - features and purpose

The national robes of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula are designed to protect the body from the scorching sun and heat. As a rule, it covers almost the entire body, and these are not just traditions - such outfits are definitely more suitable for the local climate.

Men in the Emirates wear a shirt, which is an elongated tunic with sleeves, most often in light colors. Such a shirt is sewn without fasteners and seams. It is always ironed and clean attire. Regardless of the style and style of tailoring, such a shirt emphasizes the desire for cleanliness and neatness.

As a headdress, head scarves are used, which also serve as protection from the burning rays of the sun. This headdress has proven its practicality for centuries, the Bedouins have always used scarves tied with a special bundle around the head to keep moisture and protect from hot air.

As for the female half, most often she is dressed in spacious Long Dresses made of silk or satin. It should be noted that it is almost impossible to see an Arab woman in open clothes outside the home. Contrary to popular belief, Arab beauties are happy to dress up in national dresses. Moreover, today many local fashion designers offer interesting design solutions in national dress.

Clothes of local residents of the UAE - a note to tourists

Even taking into account the fact that in some Emirates there are no strict conventions for the appearance of foreign guests, one should still take into account national traditions and preferences of the local population. When visiting public places, revealing and defiant outfits should be avoided. Women are advised not to wear bare-shouldered or low-cut clothing, and men are not advised to walk around in swimming trunks or shorts.

National clothes are worn with pleasure by the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula. It is practical, original, diverse, sometimes simply luxurious, most adapted to the local climate, is an attempt to preserve its traditions and is a vivid example of counteracting the cosmopolitan depersonalization brought here by total globalization, which has triumphed here in all other industries and spheres of life! In addition, clothing corresponds, of course, to the requirements of religion. Initially, Arab clothing was supposed to serve as protection from the sun, sand, and then these practical functions coincided with the tradition of Islam and became a symbol of the lifestyle of a religious person. Traditional clothing hides the body almost completely, leaving only the face, hands and feet open.

Most men wear traditional clothing, which is a long shirt, called dishdasha in the UAE, and most often jalabiya (they only call it that in stores, by the way). In its purest form, this is a tunic with long sleeves, without seams, fasteners and a collar, reaching to the ankles. However, it has a tapered shape and emphasizes the figure. Most often she white color, but more and more often blue, lavender, "fallen leaves", black and brown jalabia are also found. In the Emirates, they prefer a long white dishdash with cuffs (often with cufflinks), a breast pocket and a stand-up collar (these details are the result of the influence of European fashion). The traditional cut of the galabea: without cuffs, pocket and collar. Regardless of the style, one thing will remain unchanged - it is always shining with whiteness and cleanliness, ironed, without a single wrinkle, pleasantly smelling even at a long distance, a shirt that testifies to the desire for extraordinary cleanliness and creates the impression of freshness and well-groomed. And just clean, as they say in advertising. Arabs change clothes twice a day. Speaking of "Arabs" I mean exclusively local, about Palestinian, Lebanese, Moroccan and other Mauritanian, I have no information! (I immediately and strictly warn attacks about dirty and so on, just kidding, but seriously!)

In 1914, the English intelligence officer Thomas Edward Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, (in the picture, of course, Peter O * Tool in this role, I can’t resist posting here, too good!) noted that the Arabs living in Hijaz, they sometimes use their headscarves as pillows and bags. And the Bedouin, going into battle, almost completely covered his face with a handkerchief, tying its ends at the top and leaving only his eyes open in order to be unrecognizable.

In our time, this world-famous Arab headdress - a scarf girded with a tourniquet - has actually been preserved in its original form. This is due to its exceptional practicality in relation to the conditions of Arabia. The head and neck are protected from the burning sun, and the folds of the scarf absorb hot air and thereby provide insulation, allowing you to retain moisture and endure high temperature. This shawl, called "gutra", is a large enough piece of cloth that allows it to be freely wrapped around the face or wrapped in a turban, once very popular in Arabia. A square piece of gutra is usually folded diagonally to form a triangle, the equal sides of which fall over the shoulders. He is usually white. In winter, it can be made of a denser material with the addition of wool and with a red ornament. The yigal holding it on its head, which looks like a thick cord, according to legend, goes back to the rope with which the Bedouin tied camels at night, and during the day, having rolled it, kept it on his head. Residents of the UAE often have two thin black cords hanging from the needle - for greater beauty. The ends of the gutra can be used to cover the lower part of the face, escaping from sand or cold, or you can throw them up or plug them under the needle, constructing something like a turban so that they do not interfere. A lace skullcap is worn under the gutra. Their original purpose was to prevent the handkerchief from getting dirty. In the past, skullcaps were made of cotton and were easy to wash. Sometimes they were decorated with very fancy embroideries in white silk and gold thread.

Looking closer, you can see a “tie” among urban residents - a lace, which can be of various shapes, and is called a tarbusha. So this tarboosha has not only an aesthetic function, but also a purely practical one, it is she who gets a huge portion of perfumes, since the jalabiya fabric will retain stains from aromatization until the very washing, and if you take into account the oil component of Arabic aromas, then for a long time after washing too. Considering the manic desire of the Arabs for the purity of their clothes and the same manic love for pleasant aromas, such a tie is just a measure of extreme necessity.

The national "fashion" within the Arab fashion also, of course, exists and reflects the attempts of the entire Arab world to preserve its traditions, and the ways of forming separate national communities - Syrian, Egyptian, Arabian, Libyan, etc. - in the bosom of pan-Arab culture.

The traditional dress in which a woman is shown in public is a black long dress - abaya. Among women of the coast, abayas are made of light fabric (silk, satin), among Bedouins, the fabric is denser and coarser. Under the abaya there may be traditional Arab clothing, for example, a traditional colored dress (gandura), embroidered (made of gold and silver threads or talli - made of colored and silver threads), and most often expensive models from Paris or Milan. The head of a woman outside the home is covered with a black kerchief or scarf (sheila), and her face may be hidden under a thin black gauze-veil (guishua), which makes it possible to see you, but does not allow you to see what is under it. Another option is possible, when the lower part of the face is covered with a handkerchief, leaving only the eyes in the wild.
arab women in European clothes bareheaded most likely came to Dubai from another Arab country. And the widespread opinion about the imposition of this attire on them and the dream of the "enslaved" to throw it off and dress in a European way (which, by the way, they often do in Europe) is nothing more than a fiction or a myth. Arab women love and wear their clothes with pleasure, allowing them to personally take part in its design and show all the imagination and ideas about beauty, as well as combine it with designer bags and shoes.

Arab clothing stores are represented in each mall.
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The napkins on the coffee table are disturbing. Are tears bitter to wipe? Husbands, of course!
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At the entrance - a hospitable gesture, which can also mean - bargaining is appropriate, tea parties are very conducive to this.
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Endless choice...
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Mannequins do not suit abayas at all. They don't know how to wear them and they just look awkward.
I have not yet seen a translucent lace abaya as outerwear on any Arab women, at least.
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Huge rhinestones.
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A very expensive model. 18,000 dirhs ($5,000)
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Butterflies.
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Chiffon is also used.
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Lace trim.
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I asked the store which is the most expensive. They pointed to this, the cost of 33,000 dirhs (almost $ 10,000). They explain the demand for Versachev's design and the number of Swarovski straziks.
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Blue on black is always a win!
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White atypical.
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Purple is also untypical, but beautiful.
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Just wealth and luxury! Gold - in one word!
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Hand embroidery.
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And how do you like such luxurious dresses for weddings and other celebrations!
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Here, all the beauty is offered at the foot!
The sparkle of stones and gold soles will amaze the imagination from under the flying hem of the abaya!
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And the winter version, of course. It's fur, boots and suede!
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Let's move on to the male part of the population.
That's what stores offer, of course, men's, not joint.

Huge selection of materials and colors! And with all the simplicity of the style of men's attire, the price may surprise you due to the cost of fabrics. The most expensive one in this store cost a little over $2,000 per meter (it’s a pity I didn’t document it with a camera, it was a thin woolen suit fabric with small stripes, even for winter version jalabii). And sewing a simple one from an ordinary white fabric can fit into 300-400 dirhams. I think that in the markets or in the shops of which the price will be many times less. But the fabric will be different, of course.
These shades are the most advantageous, in my opinion. When finished they look very nice.
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Well, my favorite part men's wardrobe- these are their amazing self-folding slippers!
And in vain, after all, I approach them so with humor, in the malls separate pavilions are dedicated to them, and the prices ... judge for yourself.
At these stands from 700 dirhams per pair ($200).
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And here is already 3,600 dirhams a pair ($ 1,000).
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And now, how this whole attire looks on people.
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Everything goes well for slender young people. And even such non-designer clothes can look very dapper.
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Well, fat women look impressive and serious!
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Quite often, a traditional Arab shirt is combined with branded caps. Here's how in this case. Only from the "Formula 1" from Abu Dhabi, I guess.
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A mandatory question from the female part of the population, is there anything under the shirt? I answer yes! Pants are always worn and a T-shirt. Together, they make an awesome set.
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And now girls in abayas and shopping!
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And this is to the question of swinging abayas. As you can see, everything is closed, everything, well, I really want to show a beautiful skirt!
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Favorite blue.
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To be honest, I can’t get used to this form of hiding the body. Somehow uncomfortable from this spectacle, stereotypes ...
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There are also glamorous pink abai finishes.
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I completely forgot to add, the phone (!) As an integral part of the traditional Arab attire! Both male and female. Unisex of a kind!
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And now to the restaurant!
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You can see the embroidery pattern.
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Traditional theme - caring Arab fathers and children (or stroller, or trolley)
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Just kids. Looks like we've seen enough of the Titanic!
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91. Outstanding attitude gesture! I personally see it for the first time!

92. I look far!

93. expressive glances. All three!

94. Some non-local for sure! She has sneakers, he has moccasins with a back! Is it extreme from the North?

And here are not only beautiful abayas, here is a way of life. Or rather, the favorite habit of Arab women is to entrust someone with their shopping bags, otherwise such a load pulls their hands!
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I could not keep up with these restless Italians, no matter how much I wanted to take a picture at least from the side! That's how to be able to enjoy life, love it today and now, with gratitude for every given minute, and with inexhaustible curiosity and thirst for life, run through the malls far away from home!
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The Gulf States or Arab States of the Persian Gulf are names referring to countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. These states are members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC). The Union was founded in 1981 as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Yemen is another state located on the Arabian Peninsula. This state is not a member of the union, but the possibility of its accession is currently being discussed.

All the countries of the Persian Gulf share a common regional culture, which is also referred to as the "culture of the Persian Gulf". The rich culture of the Arabian Peninsula has evolved over the centuries. Many customs and traditions were inherited from the Bedouin culture that prevailed in the Arabian Peninsula. A common religion, language, similar styles of music and worldview determined the path of development of Arab culture. Arab traditions are also reflected in the national dress of the Persian Gulf states. It combines three incompatible features: modesty, practicality and sophistication.

Traditional Arab clothing tends to be long and covers almost all parts of the body. This is due to the cultural and climatic features of the region. Human body requires protection from the scorching sun. In general, traditional clothing is quite similar throughout the entire Persian Gulf. Such men's clothing like a long dress (kandura), keffiyeh, gutra and such women's clothing like abaya and hijab is typical for most arab countries.

However, there are differences in every single part of the region. Because of this, each state has its own code of dress code. At present, in view of modern realities, the traditions in the clothing of the countries of the Persian Gulf are undergoing some changes. All these factors turn the Arab culture into a unique combination of centuries-old traditions and modern innovations.

In this review, we would like to dwell in more detail on the features of the national dress of the countries of the Arabian Peninsula.

United Arab Emirates

Both men and women wear long dresses, which are called, respectively, kandura and abaya.

Kandura (also dishdasha) is a men's toe-length dress. It usually has long sleeves. Abaya is a loose, robe-like dress with long sleeves and floor length. It covers the entire body except for the face, legs and arms. Today, for reasons of convenience, fitted abayas are becoming more and more popular. Sometimes the collar and sleeves are decorated with bright embroidery.

Keffiyeh is a cotton scarf that protects from the hot sun. Usually, this men's headdress is white, but this is not a requirement in other countries. Ikal is a black cord that prevents kuffiye from slipping off the head. Children wear both red and white keffis without the ikal.

Hijab is a women's headscarf that covers the neck and part of the head. The niqab is another type of headscarf that is worn to cover the mouth and nose, leaving only the eyes visible.

Nowadays, some clothing items used in Western culture are becoming more and more popular among the youth. However, the residents of the Emirates respect their traditions, and the same is expected from visitors and expats. Therefore, you should take care of your appearance so as not to violate the established rules of decency.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is known for its strict clothing laws. The local way of life, influenced by religion and customs, suggests uniformity of clothing. All citizens must wear formal attire.

In Saudi Arabia, unlike the UAE, the kanduru, or the so-called "Wahhabi national dress", is worn by both men and women. Women also wear sirwal (cotton or silk trousers) under the kandura, due to excessively hot weather conditions. Sometimes, by special occasions, men wear long cloaks over the kandoor, which are called bisht or mishlakh. They are mostly white, brown or black in color and are usually framed with gold fabric. Abaya is a piece of women's clothing that must be worn in public places. It covers the entire body except for the face. Wearing an abaya in Saudi Arabia is also mandatory for foreign women.

The male headdress consists of a skullcap, gutra and ikal. A skullcap is a small headdress, usually white, worn over a gutra, a cotton scarf wrapped around the head. Ikal is a double black cord fastened around the gutra. Sometimes pious people do not wear the ikal.

All women, with the exception of foreigners, must wear a boshi and niqab covering the face. The boshiya is a black veil that covers the lower part of the face, while the niqab is a veil that covers the entire face.

Bahrain

The traditional dress of Bahrain is very similar to that of Saudi Arabia due to the common history and geographical location.

The kandura is the traditional men's dress, while the women wear the abaya. Consequently, the kandura, unlike in Saudi Arabia, is worn only by men. The male population of Bahrain, as well as in Saudi Arabia, wears a bisht over a kandura on special occasions. Women usually wear abayas along with a hijab, a black veil that covers the face.

The traditional headdress of men consists of gutra, keffiyeh and ikal. Gutra is a red and white checkered scarf worn over keffiyeh - white knitted hat. And the ikal, a thick black cord, serves to hold the gutra in place.

Qatar

Qatari clothing has undergone dramatic changes over the past few decades. However, it has retained its traditional character.

Today, the male population of Qatar does not wear kandoors or bishts. Usual men's suit consists of a long-sleeve shirt, loose trousers, and a gutra, which is fastened with an ikal.

Women's clothing remains more traditional. The women of Qatar always wear abayas and cover their hair with a shawl. Sometimes women also wear a burqa, completely covering their faces. However, this is not mandatory.

The official style in Qatar differs from the traditional one, as men may not wear any head coverings, while women may wear long dresses with sleeves no longer than the elbows and a modest neckline.

There are no strict rules for foreigners, but you should still wear modest classic clothes.

Kuwait

Kuwait is known for its rich culture and centuries of history. The national clothes of Kuwait have their own characteristics.

Dishdasha is a men's robe with long sleeves and floor length. Unlike the Kandura, it fastens with buttons from the neck to the waist and has long side pockets. Men usually wear light cotton trousers with dishdash.

The Kuwaiti traditional headdress is almost the same as that generally accepted throughout the Arabian Peninsula. Gafya is a tight-fitting headdress worn over the gutra. White gutras are usually worn in summer, and red and white checkered gutras in winter period. Ikal is a double black cord that holds the gutra on the head.

On the occasion of official events, men usually wear a bisht trimmed with gold thread over the dishdashi. It is made from thin cotton (for summer) or wool (for winter).

The traditional Kuwaiti dress covers the entire body and is called daraa'. Usually women do not wear the kandura in Kuwait, however it may be worn on ceremonial occasions. Abaya - common outerwear for daily use. Sometimes it is worn over the daraa'.

In terms of headwear, today, Kuwaiti hijabs are offered in many styles and rich colors. Sometimes women wear a veil and boshiya to cover their entire face. The burqa (short black veil) leaves the eyes and forehead open, while the boshiya (translucent veil) covers the entire face.

Yemen

Nowadays, due to the influence of Western culture, the male population of Yemen often wears suits, shirts and T-shirts. However, traditional Yemeni outfits are still popular.

Loose kandours, which are toe-length, are considered fairly formal wear in Yemen. The kandura is commonly used in northern Yemen.

The national men's dress of Yemen is called futa. These are informal style clothes that are great for everyday wear. Mawaz is a traditional dress used in formal events. There is no set color or cut type for it, and it is very popular due to its convenience.

The most popular men's hats are the turban and the alcaveque. A turban is a long piece of cloth that is wrapped around the head. The Alkavec can be worn over or without the turban.

Traditional women costume called sanaani. This wide dress is made from a single canvas, usually worn with "al-momk" - a piece of cloth that covers the head. Zina is another traditional knee-length dress with long sleeves and a sharp neckline.

Yemeni women usually cover their heads with various head coverings such as headscarves, hijabs, veils, etc.

A plaid skirt has long been part of a business wardrobe. After all, basically it is worn in the office, for study or official events. But a plaid skirt can also be appropriate in casual and romantic outfits. You just need to find the right pair for her. 6 stylish ideas how to wear a typical office skirt in the cold is already in front of you.

With an oversized sweater

The most obvious winter combination: a plaid skirt and a sweater. Everything is very simple, just choose the top to match the pattern on the skirt and complement the image with accessories (brooch, wide belt or necklace). And to make the usual set look stylish, play with the styles. If the skirt is short and narrow, then it is better to put on a pullover in a more spacious way and tuck its edge into the belt. A fitted jumper is suitable for a long wide skirt.

The most daring fashionistas will surely appreciate the combination of a plaid skirt with a printed sweater. Only the pattern of the jumper should be as angular as on the skirt. Then the appearance will be harmonious.

With colored turtleneck

Even a plaid skirt from a business suit can become part of a fashionable and warm image when worn with a trendy turtleneck. Only its color should overlap with the shades of the print on the skirt, otherwise the set will be a failure. Complete the outfit with high boots in the same range as the top, or tight tights to match it.

With a blouse

Soften a tight plaid skirt with a dainty blouse. The trend is just models made of delicate fabrics, with puffed sleeves, frills, a bow on the neck, a teardrop neckline and other romantic details. Pastel colors will also help create a sophisticated look. And if you prefer bold looks, then use juicy shades from the fashion palette of the 2020 season.

With a plaid jacket

A tandem of a plaid skirt and the same jacket often looks rather prim and dreary. But not in this case. Pay attention to the size of the skirt pattern and choose a larger or smaller print jacket for it. Checkered total look does not require any expressive details, except for decorations. Therefore, a plain turtleneck, tights and shoes will be the best solution for this look.

With the Cossacks

Cowboy boots are the perfect pair of shoes for a plaid skirt in oriental style. The mix of two cultures looks very original and does not require additional accents. Therefore, put on a simple shirt or turtleneck in a neutral shade on top so that such a bright "union" does not overload the image. It is also better to refuse colored tights, but plain black or small polka dots will be just right.

With printed tights

A plaid skirt may not be the only printed item in the look. This simple pattern works well with other geometric designs, similarly shaped ornaments, and angular shapes such as stars, hearts, or letters. This means that fantasy tights with such details will also successfully fit into the image with a plaid skirt and, moreover, will emphasize slender legs.


Red is in fashion: 20 stylish looks with a jacket that you want to repeat

Some consider it too catchy and defiant. Others are stylish and elegant. But with the fact that red is a life-affirming and maximally positive color, both of them will agree. It's time to wake up after hibernation and change into bright and stylish things. For example, buy a scarlet jacket - and cheer up not only yourself, but also those around you. So, red is in fashion. We have selected 10 chic looks with a red jacket that you will definitely want to repeat. And you won't get lost in the crowd.

Red jacket and jeans

It seems scarlet and indigo are made for each other. Despite the apparent simplicity, the image is light, elegant and incredibly stylish. And there is no need to talk about the universality of such an option at all. There are only two requirements: a cropped down jacket and high-waisted jeans. Oh, yes, we almost forgot - also choose shorter trousers. From shoes, sneakers, sneakers, rough boots or ankle boots are quite suitable.

Red Jacket and Print Pants

You have probably noticed that plain trousers with a classic cut appear less and less on the streets of cities. No, of course, they have forever registered in the dress code, but street style does fine without them. Because there are a lot of replacement options - pants in a cage, stripes and other equally interesting prints. Try adding them to a red jacket - and you will be pleasantly surprised by the result.

Red jacket and leather pants

You can, of course, recall the harmony of red and black, but ... This season, the dark gives way to more saturated colors. What? All the same red, burgundy, green. These trousers themselves look extremely elegant, and together with a bright down jacket it is easy to create a bombastically stylish look.

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Donovan Saunder

At the entrance to a Dubai nightclub, a security guard lets men dressed in shorts and girls in dresses pass through. Arab women rarely come here. Suddenly, he stops two women in traditional black abayas and says that he cannot let them in because they violate the dress code. Girls put Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags on the floor, take off abayas and stay in luxurious expensive evening dresses from worldwide famous brands. The guard has no arguments...

This is not a joke. This is a real case from life. Indeed, abaya is just following strict laws and tribute to tradition. And what to wear under it - the woman herself decides and chooses, based on her taste and budget.

It's interesting that arab women in black abayas - traditional Muslim clothing - can sometimes make tourists feel sorry. Not only does it seem that strict Muslim laws prevent a woman from dressing in what she likes. It may seem more unfair that women, who can buy almost any outfit, cannot show off in it in public.

But in fact, we are very mistaken! After all, it is no accident that all luxury brands of clothing, shoes and accessories have representative offices in Arab countries. And dear nice clothes women from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar buy, wear and send to the consignment even more often and more actively than European fashionistas do.

An interesting report on this topic was prepared by Katya Kovtunovich, a journalist permanently residing in Dubai. She talked with the girls she knew, who belonged to the expensive elite of the city, and found out what they wear under impenetrable abayas.

Arab women, abayas and Louis Vuitton

It is worth starting, perhaps, with our opinions about Arab women, since these opinions are largely erroneous.

We believe that the wives of Arab millionaires have nowhere to “walk” their outfits, because the abaya hides all the beauty and chic of the costume from prying eyes.

The Arab woman herself, hearing this, only condescendingly shakes her head ...

“Do you think we have no one to show our outfits to? - two interlocutors ask Katya, Shamsa and Latifa. - It is nonsense! We dress up to look good for our husbands and for our family. These are the main people in our life, it is their opinion that is important to us. What difference does it make to me if a stranger sees me in a good outfit on the street? It is important for me that my husband admires me, that my mother is proud of me and that my daughters take an example from me, it is they who see me in expensive suits, and for them I am always well dressed.

Ha! - You think. - Husband, mother, daughter and son, mother-in-law once a week or a month. For them to spend thousands of dollars on outfits?

And that's where you're wrong...

“You, in Russia, Germany or France, have a brother, maybe a sister. One uncle and one aunt,” Latifa continues. - And we have dozens of relatives in each line - my husband has ten uncles and aunts, I have the same number, all families, they have relatives. And we are very friendly, we go to each other much more often than once a year on a promise. We constantly gather families, celebrate birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and other events. If a child has recovered from an illness, it is cause for a party. Plus, immediately evaluate how many birthdays we have every month! Believe me, we communicate with more people than you. And we are seen and appreciated by more people than each of you in the Moscow metro ... "

Waste, or a reasonable price of beauty?

“I don’t buy a dress or shoes just because they are expensive or branded. I wear what suits me and what is comfortable for me,” says Latifa. - It's stupid when a woman dresses only from Versace and looks 10 years older than her age. But if I see a thing that suits me, then I buy it, be it from Armani, from Versace or from some budget brand. ”

In general, the opinion about the reckless extravagance of Arab women is greatly exaggerated. Photos of dressing rooms with hundreds of Louboutins, stories of fashionistas who bought up the entire collection of Chanel bags are exceptions that prove the rule. Yes, some girls are kinky, but in general they are quite rational in their purchases.

The photo of the wardrobe that has become a meme is taken from the Instagram account of one of the residents of Dubai.

Even more than that: the possibilities of the wives of Arab millionaires are not unlimited. There is a well-known story of a native of Lebanon, Misha Maatuk, who opened a consignment store of things and accessories from expensive brands. She was literally inundated with things from Versace, Dolce Gabbana and Chanel, Louis Vuitton sandals and similar products. The girls sent drivers to the store with almost unworn things, hoping to return at least half the cost.

European fashion in the Arab world

Interestingly, the girls in the UAE do not have any pronounced "Arab" fashion. If initially the boutiques in Dubai exhibited semi-closed dresses on the stands, long skirts, then their owners quickly realized that there was no point in this: women here buy the same things that fashionistas wear in the States, France and Italy. At the same time, Arab women actively follow fashion, subscribe to the Instagram accounts of Barneys New York and Harvey Nichols London, and in no way differentiate themselves from the global fashion community. And it must be admitted that with dark skin, typical oriental features, huge dark eyes, they look quality clothes mind-blowing.

By the way, boutiques in Dubai itself are designed more for “ middle class". Girls, practically unlimited in funds, tend to fly to Europe for shopping. The point here is not even that with Tax Free prices are lower. It's a matter of psychology: if the wife of a famous businessman comes into a boutique in Dubai, she is very obsessively "pushed" the most expensive things. If she enters a boutique in Montenapo in Milan or Rivoli in Paris, then she is served here in the same way as hundreds of other visitors. And therefore, she can safely choose the thing that she wants to buy herself.

Photo from the lobby of the Mall of Emirates: the shoes and bag of this beauty alone cost more than a middle-class car.

And yet, there must be some "excesses" in a country that is literally flooded with money, and they are. Many Arab women spend more money on Cartier jewelry than their husbands earn, provoking family scandals and even divorces. And those beauties who can spend almost any amount admit that they are wearing diamonds even when there is nothing else on the body.

“Yes, we even sleep in diamonds,” laughs Latifa. “If it’s not forbidden, then why not?”