The Diversity of Saudi Arabia Traditional Dress

Saudi Arabia traditional dress is seen as something different that sets Saudis people apart from the rest of the world. Not only a variety of styles and accessories, but traditional costumes in Saudi Arabia also have the unique characteristics of each region. In particular, the Saudis prefer to wear their traditional clothes rather than the Western style.

Over the years, the age-old designs of traditional clothing have been modified to suit the changing tastes and preferences in contemporary society. In this article, travelers will learn more about the uniqueness and mysteries behind the traditional costume of Saudi Arabia.

What makes Saudi Arabian traditional clothing unique?

The origins of the traditional dress in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia go back to the pre-Islamic era when the Arabs were known to wear Thobe, Abaya, and Shemagh, and those dresses continued after the emergence of Islam. Over time, these clothing have gracefully changed while preserving their distinctive local characteristics.

Saudi Arabia traditional clothing reflects the social and cultural beliefs of Saudis, which are based on Islamic teachings. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is known to be a conservative country with a strict dress code. So to be able to comfortably travel in Saudi Arabia without the hassle of dressing up, it's better to learn about the Saudi Arabia dress code.

Saudi Arabia's clothing is based not only on religious views but also on the fact of living in a hot and sandy environment. The country's traditional clothing is loose and airy, not only making it pleasant in the hot climate but also conforming to the Islamic ideal of modesty. To protect the body from the sweltering desert sun and sandstorms when walking or riding outdoors, people wear long robes and headscarves.

Especially, in Saudi, people avoid wearing Western styles of clothes because they hold their Islamic traditions in high esteem.

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What makes Saudi Arabia traditional clothing unique?

Enter the spectacular world of traditional Saudi wedding dress

Although many wedding customs have evolved culturally, the basic principles of an actual Saudi wedding have remained the same, especially the traditional Saudi wedding dress.

Saudi citizens choose to wear traditional clothes on their wedding day because they respect and want to emphasize the religious and social significance of their marriage. In wedding ceremonies, brides often wear a white Western-style wedding dress adorned with lace. Men's wedding dresses are white color, long-sleeved, ankle-length robes, covered with a black cloak, and a long robe with gold trim. Furthermore, a bisht is only worn for special occasions and festivals, or by royalty and the elderly.

Moreover, the diversity of traditions among the different regions of Saudi Arabia is a testament to the great cultural diversity of this country. Weddings in Saudi Arabia are lavish, well-planned, and beautiful celebrations that showcase the unity and cohesion of families. The majority of Saudis do not hesitate to spend a significant sum of money on their wedding because they want it to be special as well as make the bride and groom and their guests happy.

Having a chance to attend a wedding in Saudi Arabia, you can find beautiful aspects in the customs surrounding marriage ceremonies, and these traditions have deep roots.

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Enter the spectacular world of traditional Saudi wedding dress

The mysterious beauty of female Saudi traditional dress

Female Saudi traditional dress is modest by refraining from showing their beauty and adornments to people who are not their close relatives. However, there are many different styles depending on the preferences and culture of the region and the clothes of Saudi women will be somewhat different. To cover all parts of the body except hands and face, all women had to wear a black abaya over their dress (a loose, all-covering black robe) and a headscarf.

As for Saudi Arabia traditional clothing, Saudi women often wear an abaya combined with Shayla. It is a black, gauzy scarf that wraps around the head and is secured with jewelry, circlets, or hats. Female Saudi traditional dresses are often decorated with sequins, brightly colored fabric appliqués, or coins.

The traditional clothing not only enables Saudi women to obey their religious beliefs but also to maintain high standards of morality. In Saudi Arabia, women cover their necks and hair with a headscarf in a simple Islamic tradition. For many traditional women, Gishwa is a perfect choice as this black veil covers the entire face. Although it was thin enough, no one could see their faces.

However, due to the current government’s emphasis on cultural and social reforms, the way Saudi Arabian women dress is swiftly changing. As a result, women are no longer required to wear an abaya or a headscarf as long as they dress modestly and cover the majority of their bodies. Nonetheless, for most Saudi women, the abaya and headscarves symbolize proud Arabians and their religion, rather than a mandatory dress constraint.

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Mysterious beauty from female Saudi traditional dress

How special male Saudi Arabia traditional dress is?

Although Saudi Arabia has taken accelerated steps towards globalization, Saudi society has maintained many of its original customs, most notably the dress. Each region of Saudi Arabia has its own rich history and culture, so the traditional clothing for both men and women in this country will also be different.

For male Saudi Arabia traditional dress, Saudi men usually wear baggy clothes with long sleeves known as thobe. They avoid wearing black robes because black is the color of women's abayas.

Since Saudis have always valued social and moral standards, it has influenced the way individuals dress in Saudi Arabia. Men dress in clothes that cover at least their navel to their knees, along with a thawb, an ankle-length shirt, and a ghutra on top. The Ghutra is a double-black string-adorned white and red checkered hat that is worn on the head. Men cover their ghutra with a little white cap called a taqiyah to keep it from falling off their heads.

Nowadays, some Saudi men have adopted Western clothing trends. They tend to save their traditional clothes for respectful cultural and religious occasions.

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How special male Saudi Arabia's traditional dress is

The diversity of Saudi Arabia traditional dress that can be found throughout the Kingdom is considered an important part of Saudi culture. It can be seen that traditional clothing in the Kingdom today was once considered a fashion trend of previous generations.

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