Have you ever wondered what makes traditional Emirati clothing so timeless and meaningful? Each piece—like the flowing kandura, the elegant shayla, or the majestic bisht—tells a story of heritage, modesty, and pride.
If you’re curious about the beauty and purpose behind these garments, you’re not alone—many seek to understand the roots of this rich cultural attire.
With years of cultural insight, we’re here to guide you through:
- The history of Emirati dress
- Key pieces like the ghutra, bisht, and thobe
- Clothing for weddings, National Day, and family gatherings
Continue reading to explore how traditional Emirati clothing reflects identity, faith, and elegance—and discover how these iconic styles still thrive in the modern UAE.
Historical Roots of Emirati Dress
Traditional Emirati clothing has deep roots in the culture of the Arabian Peninsula. The traditional dress of UAE males and UAE women reflects strong ties to Bedouin culture and the nomadic past. Both men and women wear these styles with pride, honoring their heritage and Islamic traditions.
Over time, the traditional Emirati attire evolved by blending influences from Persia, India, and Africa, creating a unique and rich look. The traditional clothes often feature bright colors, flowing fabrics, and intricate, detailed embroidery.
This attire is a vital figure in the national attire of the UAE and represents the traditional UAE attire worn daily and on special occasions such as wedding ceremonies and religious holidays.
Classic Emirati Clothing Style
Traditional Emirati clothing for women reflects the rich culture and Islamic values of the United Arab Emirates. The national dress includes the abaya, a long black cloak worn over clothes, and the shayla, a long rectangular scarf worn as a black head covering. On special occasions, some UAE women wear the ghutra and agal, traditionally male accessories, as a cultural expression.
The jalabiya, a long-sleeved dress, is popular for formal occasions. Emirati women often complement their attire with gold jewelry, traditional handbags, and traditional footwear like sandals. While respecting tradition, many blend elements of Western clothing into their style.
For men, traditional Emirati attire highlights cultural pride and values. The male national dress of the UAE centers on the kandura, a long white robe symbolizing simplicity and dignity. The ghutra headscarf, secured by the black cord called agal, completes the everyday Emirati look.
Designed for dry climates, the Kandura emphasizes cultural identity. On special occasions, men wear the bisht, a ceremonial cloak that adds elegance and prestige to their attire.
Notable Emirati Vintage Outfits
1. The Kandura
The Kandura is a fundamental piece of traditional Emirati clothing and a strong symbol of the culture and heritage of the UAE. It serves as the main garment in the Emirati men’s traditional dress and is a vital part of the national dress of the UAE.
Crafted from light materials like cotton or polyester, the kandura is typically white, representing simplicity, elegance, and cultural pride.
Men traditionally wear the kandura paired with the ghutra headscarf and the black cord called the agal. This classic attire is suitable for daily wear as well as special occasions, highlighting its importance in Emirati traditional dress for everything from family gatherings to formal occasions.
2. The Ghutra
The ghutra is a key element of traditional Emirati clothing and a vital part of the Emirati national dress and national attire of the UAE. More than just a head covering, it symbolizes Emirati heritage and identity.
Made from light, breathable materials like cotton, wool, silk, or linen, the ghutra is usually a square cloth. It comes in various colors, with white and red being the most popular.
Besides its practical use of protecting from the harsh desert sun, the ghutra reflects important values in Emirati traditions and completes the authentic traditional Emirati attire for men.
3. The Bisht
The bisht is a symbol of elegance and prestige in traditional Emirati clothing, representing honor, cultural heritage, and religious beliefs. It is a vital figure in the national dress of the UAE, enhancing the style of traditional Emirati attire worn during wedding ceremonies, religious holidays, and different occasions.
Crafted from rich fabrics such as wool, silk, or satin, the bisht typically comes in dark fabric colors like black, brown, or navy blue. Its intricate embroidery reflects the wearer’s status, making it an important garment for Emirati grooms and other prominent family members.
Emirati men wear the bisht over the kandura, the classic male Emirati dress. Paired with the ghutra headscarf and the black cord known as the agal, the bisht completes the formal look, adding grace and authority to traditional attire rooted in Bedouin culture and the Arabian Peninsula.
4. The Thobe
The thobe is a key element of traditional Emirati clothing for muslim women, symbolizing grace, modesty, and the rich cultural heritage of the United Arab Emirates.
Crafted from soft fabrics such as cotton or linen, the thobe offers both comfort and elegance, making it suitable for different occasions, including religious holidays and family gatherings.
Available in vibrant colors, the thobe features detailed embroidery that reflects regional styles and personal preferences, yet it always preserves its cultural significance. Its loose-fitting design ensures ease of movement while adhering to Emirati traditional attire rules emphasizing modesty and skin-covered dress codes, which are an integral part of the Islamic emirate values.
As a distinctive piece of Emirati women’s traditional attire, the thobe beautifully combines style with tradition, highlighting the wearer’s identity and respect for heritage while adapting to modern trends seen in the Arabian Peninsula.
5. The Shayla
The Shayla is a significant part of traditional Emirati clothing for Muslim women, deeply connected to Emirati traditions, religious beliefs, and modesty.
This long rectangular scarf, made from light materials like cotton or silk, is commonly worn over the head, serving as an essential component of the head covering that protects women from the sun’s rays in the dry climates of the UAE.
For daily wear, Shayla’s simplicity offers comfort and modesty, aligning with the values of Islamic emirate culture.
During wedding ceremonies, religious holidays, and other occasions, the Shayla often features intricate embroidery and decorations, enhancing the elegance of the traditional Emirati attire and emphasizing cultural pride.
6. The Sandal (Sandal Al-Na’al)
The Sandal Al-Na’al is a vital component of traditional Emirati clothing, reflecting the rich heritage and culture of the United Arab Emirates.
Crafted from natural materials such as leather or palm leaves, these traditional footwear pieces offer both strength and comfort. Their simple, open design is ideal for the dry climates of the UAE, allowing airflow to keep the feet cool under the intense sun’s rays and high temperatures typical of the region.
This sandal is an essential component of the national dress, combining practicality with cultural significance, and is often worn by young men and elders alike, preserving a key aspect of Bedouin culture and Emirati tradition.
7. Accessories
Traditional Emirati clothing is rich with meaning, where accessories play an essential component in expressing religious beliefs, heritage, and identity. The khanjar, a ceremonial dagger worn by young men and Emirati grooms, reflects honor and tradition in Arab countries.
Jewelry, including more than two rings, signals wealth and is often passed among family members. Perfumes and incense, found in shopping malls and UAE mosques, enhance both daily life and religious holidays.
Black cords, white agals, and long rectangular scarves—sometimes made of white cotton or light material—complete the attire.
While Arabic men may wear half-sleeved kanduras made from dark fabric, Muslim women often choose traditional burqas, long skirts, and face veils to keep the whole body and skin covered, following Islamic emirate customs.
These details reflect the multiplicity of style across the Arabian Gulf and Central Asia.
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Traditional Emirati Clothing for Various Occasions
Weddings
Weddings in the United Arab Emirates are vibrant celebrations rooted in Bedouin culture and religious beliefs.
Emirati grooms wear white kanduras, sometimes half-sleeved kanduras, paired with the ghutrah and secured with black cord or white agals. These outfits, often made of light material or white cotton, reflect modesty and tradition.
Muslim women dress in the elegant thobe al-arus, often styled with long skirts, face veils, and crafted from dark fabric or the same material as family attire. Accessories like more than two rings, intricate jewelry, and long rectangular scarves complete the look.
Men may carry the khanjar, a symbol of pride passed through family members and worn on different occasions. Weddings highlight style varies across the Arabian Peninsula, Central Asia, and North Africa, but the emphasis on whole body covering and identity remains strong, making these events an integral part of Emirati life.
National Day
On National Day, young men and Muslim women in the UAE wear traditional Emirati clothing with pride to celebrate their religious beliefs and heritage. Arabic men typically wear white kanduras, sometimes half-sleeved kanduras, paired with a ghutrah held in place by Emirati agals or black cord—a style common across Arab countries and the Arabian Gulf.
Women opt for long skirts or embroidered thobes, often made of light material, styled with face veils or long rectangular scarves, ensuring the whole body and skin are covered as per Islamic emirate customs.
Accessories are an essential component—men carry the khanjar, symbolizing honor, and women wear more than two rings or ornate jewelry. Whether in shopping malls or UAE mosques, this attire reflects national pride and connects family members through shared traditions across Central Asia and North Africa.
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Family Gatherings
During family gatherings, Emirati men and UAE women proudly wear traditional Emirati clothing, honoring their cultural heritage and reinforcing family bonds. The traditional dress reflects deep cultural pride and identity for both men and women.
Men typically wear kanduras worn with the ghutrah headscarf and emirati agals, symbolizing simplicity and purity. Women opt for elegant traditional Emirati attire such as embroidered thobes that highlight grace and modesty.
Traditional footwear and accessories are an integral part of the outfit during these occasions. Women often complement their look with exquisite jewelry, while men display the iconic khanjar, representing honor and tradition. This traditional outfit worn by Emiratis on different occasions showcases the rich legacy and customs of the United Arab Emirates.
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Pattern and Features of Emirati National Dress
Traditional Emirati clothing features intricate embroidery with geometric motifs and floral designs, symbolizing resilience and unity in the United Arab Emirates. Made from luxurious fabrics like silk and satin, this traditional attire offers both elegance and comfort suitable for formal occasions and daily wear.
Unique to Emirati women’s and men’s traditional clothing is the use of small mirrors in the embroidery, reflecting the desert’s sands and adding symbolic meaning. The traditional Emirati attire is an integral part of Emirati culture, worn proudly during special occasions and family gatherings.
Alongside the embroidery, traditional footwear and accessories complete the outfit, showcasing the skilled craftsmanship and cultural pride of UAE women and Emirati men alike. This legacy of heritage and tradition ensures that the rich customs of the arab world continue to thrive in modern times.
Traditional Emirati Clothing: A Recap
Traditional Emirati clothing is a vital part of the United Arab Emirates’ culture, worn by Emirati men and women to honor their heritage. Men wear the Kandura, a white robe made from very light material suitable for high temperatures and dry climates. It’s paired with a ghutrah headscarf and held by a black cord called the igal.
Women wear modest abayas and thin veils that cover the head and hair, often in darker shades and decorated with embroidery. On special occasions like weddings, Emirati women may add jewelry to their traditional clothing. Both men and women wear comfortable traditional footwear suited for desert conditions.
This traditional attire reflects modesty, practicality, and respect for Islamic emirate customs, preserving a legacy deeply rooted in the Arabian Gulf and Islamic world.