Fashion across cultures

SAUDI ARABIAN FASHION

People in Saudi Arabia tend to stick to the more traditional style of clothing unlike some countries. Traditional garments have been adapted to modern day society, which Saudi Arabians usually choose to wear. The prominent loose, flowing attire is worn to combat the Kingdom’s heat, windswept climate, while also symbolizing the Islamic ideal of modesty.

Image from: http://life-in-saudiarabia.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/

CLOTHING OF MEN IN SAUDI ARABIA

Image from: http://www.thelovelyplanet.net/traditional-dress-of-the-kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/

Men are usually seen wearing an ankle length dress like shirt of wool or cotton known as a ‘Thawb”. Some men choose to wear a large piece of cotton cloth, which is folded over and over, and usually placed ontop of skullcap known as a kufiyyah, a rope secures this and it is called an Igaal.  The outer cloaks which embodies the inner dress is made out of wool/camel hair and is known as a bisht, this completes the outfit. In todays society, even though majority of the population are seen to be wearing traditional garments, boys and men also engage in western fashion. 

CLOTHING OF WOMEN IN SAUDI ARABIA

Image from: http://bigfashionworld.com/new-good-looks-with-wonderful-abaya-and-hijab-2015-for-muslim-women/new-good-looks-with-wonderful-abaya-and-hijab-2015-for-muslim-women-12/

Women in Saudi Arabia are usually seen wearing long flowy black cloaks known as Abayas over any dresses they may wear inside. Nowadays, as the clothing has slowly adapted to modern day society, women are seen wearing different coloured abayas, which come in different styles. Saudi women usually wear a Shayla on their heads, which is black, scarf that is wrapped around the head and secured with pains or jewelry. Saudi Arabian women also wear traditional dresses often richly decorated with embroidery or, coins, sequins etc.