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Arab Dresses and Veils: An Introduction to the Arab Fashion
Many people unfamiliar with the Arab culture, think that hijab and abaya are the only traditional Arabic garments women wear. Contrary to popular opinion, different Arab nations and different regions have their own preferred dress and headscarf types. The versatility of Arab dresses is often the source of confusion. In this blog post, we’ll highlight some elements of the traditional Arab garments, worn in different parts of the Arabic world.
Abaya
Abaya (meaning cloth in Arabic), is a piece of loose over-garment that’s worn in the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa and the Middle East. The garment resembles a wide robe and is meant to cover up the body of a wearer and protect it from sight. In the Islamic world, Abaya is worn by men and women alike. It covers the entire body, apart from feet, hands and the head of a person. Traditionally, the abaya is usually black, decorated with embroidery. In certain countries, lighter colours are preferred, particularly earth tones. Since abaya is an over-garment, underneath women can wear any clothes whatsoever, including the popular fashion designer’s outfits.
