Ever wondered how to blend traditional elegance with modern trends in your wardrobe? Emirati fashion offers a unique way to achieve this, but navigating its rich history and current trends can be daunting.
You’re not alone in seeking a style that honors cultural heritage while adopting contemporary looks. We’re here to guide you through the world of Emirati fashion. With our insights, you’ll learn how to:
- Understand historical influences
- Identify key fashion trends
- Incorporate traditional elements into modern outfits
Continue reading to learn how to transform your style and make a statement that reflects both past and present. Achieve a look that combines heritage and innovation with confidence.
Historical Evolution of Emirati Fashion
Emirati fashion reflects the UAE’s cultural heritage and desert environment. Traditional Emirati Clothing, such as the men’s “Kandura” and “ghutra,” was designed for comfort in the region’s climate. Women wore garments like the abaya to maintain modesty.
As the UAE grew, fashion combined local and global styles. Today, Emirati brands make luxurious designs that mix tradition and modern looks.
2 Centuries of Emirati Fashion
19th Century
Men’s Clothing:
- The Kandura was a key part of Emirati fashion, with styles showing tribal and social differences. By the end of the century, white Kanduras became more common because of trade.
- The style and folding of the ghutra began to vary, indicating different regional or tribal affiliations.
Women’s Clothing:
- The Abaya began to have small decorations like embroidery and beading because of trade with nearby areas.
- Gold jewelry, like necklaces and bracelets, became important for women and was worn on special occasions to show wealth and status.
20th Century
Men’s Clothing:
- The Kandura became more standard, mostly white, symbolizing cleanliness and wealth. Lighter materials made it more comfortable.
- By the mid-century, urban Emirati men added Western items like watches and designer sunglasses to their traditional clothes, especially for travel or work.
Women’s Clothing:
- The Abaya became more stylish with decorations like embroidery and sequins, using materials like silk and chiffon, influenced by global fashion and nearby Gulf countries.
- The Shayla became lighter and more colorful, letting women show their style while staying modest—the way it was draped varied by personal choice.
- The burqa became less common in cities by the end of the century but is still used in rural areas and by older generations.
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3 Popular Fashion Styles in UAE
Streetwear and Casual Fashion
Young people in Dubai are increasingly wearing streetwear that blends comfort with high fashion.
Streetwear Brands: Global brands like Off-White, Supreme, and Yeezy are popular among young Emiratis, who combine them with traditional items like the ghutra or Shayla.
Casual Attire: Minimalist and casual designs are gaining popularity for daily wear. These styles feature simple cuts and designs, offering a relaxed yet modern appearance.
Resort and Beachwear
In the UAE’s luxury resorts and beach settings, fashion combines elegance with cultural sensitivity, deeply rooted in Emirati Culture.
Kaftans and Tunics: Women use kaftans or tunics as stylish beach cover-ups, often with embroidery or made from fancy materials.
Designer Swimwear: At beach clubs and resorts, women wear modern and modest swimwear like burkinis and fashionable cover-ups.
Festive and Occasion Wear
In the UAE, special occasion fashion includes outfits for Eid and weddings.
Eid Fashion: For Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, both men and women wear new, elaborately designed outfits. Men often choose modern Kanduras paired with a Bisht for formal events. Women select luxurious jalabiyas or custom-designed garments, accessorized with striking jewelry.
Wedding Attire: Emirati wedding fashion is known for its grandeur. Brides frequently wear richly embroidered, brightly colored dresses or kaftans, complemented by traditional gold jewelry such as the Daqla. Guests also dress in elegant kaftans or gowns, reflecting the splendor of the celebration.
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4 Notable Emirati Fashion Designers
Khalid Al Qasimi
Brand: Qasimi
Specialty: Khalid Al Qasimi, son of Sharjah’s ruler, created Qasimi for modern, minimalist menswear that blends Middle Eastern and Western styles with social and political themes.
Design Aesthetic: Al Qasimi’s designs feature clean lines, neutral colors, and subtle embroidery, mixing modern simplicity with cultural identity.
Achievements: Qasimi earned international recognition, with his work featured at London Fashion Week. His brand continues to influence UAE fashion even after his passing in 2019.
Madiyah Al Sharqi
Brand: Madiyah Al Sharqi
Specialty: Madiyah Al Sharqi, daughter of the ruler of Fujairah, is a leading designer known for her elegant evening wear. Her creations combine her royal heritage with modern sophistication.
Design Aesthetic: Madiyah’s designs feature detailed work and rich materials, focusing on feminine shapes with a romantic, luxurious style. She mixes Middle Eastern and modern European fashion.
Achievements: Madiyah Al Sharqi is well-known worldwide, with her collections in Vogue Arabia and shown at fashion weeks in Dubai and Paris.
Faiza Bouguessa
Brand: Bouguessa
Specialty: Faiza Bouguessa’s brand, Bouguessa, makes modern, minimalist modest wear, updating traditional styles for elegant and versatile outfits.
Design Aesthetic: Bouguessa’s designs have clean lines and structured tailoring, using simple colors and patterns that mix Middle Eastern and Western styles.
Achievements: Bouguessa is famous worldwide, with celebrities like Beyoncé wearing her clothes. Her brand shapes modest fashion trends in the UAE and beyond.
Rami Al Ali
Brand: Rami Al Ali
Specialty: Syrian designer Rami Al Ali is famous for his luxurious gowns that mix Eastern and Western styles.
Design Aesthetic: His gowns feature detailed embroidery, fine fabrics, and elegant shapes, blending Middle Eastern and European styles.
Background: Al Ali graduated from the College of Fine Arts in Damascus in 1995, then moved to the UAE to start his fashion label in 2001. He has worked with brands like Messika, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Bulgari.
Achievements: His designs have been in major fashion magazines and worn by celebrities like Beyoncé. He has shown his work at Paris Couture Week and helps mentor local talent with the Dubai Design and Fashion Council (DDFC).
3 Key Influences in Emirati Fashion
Climate and Geography
Color Choices: Traditionally, men’s Kanduras are white or light-colored to reflect sunlight, and women’s attire is often black. Modern fashion in the UAE has introduced a wider range of colors and patterns, especially for special occasions.
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Emirati Identity and National Pride
Royal and Celebrity Influence
Emirati Royals: Members of the UAE royal family, such as Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser and Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, have a notable impact on Emirati fashion. Their choice of elegant Kaftans and traditional attire merges contemporary trends with cultural heritage, influencing high society style in the UAE.
Social Media and Celebrities: Platforms like Instagram have significantly shaped fashion trends in the UAE. Local and international celebrities and influencers showcase Emirati Costumes and brands, blending modern and traditional styles and expanding their reach globally.
Emirati Fashion: A Recap
Emirati fashion combines traditional and modern styles, showing off the UAE’s unique culture. Designers like Rami Al Ali and Faiza Bouguessa mix classic and contemporary looks, making a mark locally and internationally. This mix of old and new defines Emirati fashion and boosts its global presence, highlighting the UAE’s unique modern style.
