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Why do Gulf Arabs wear traditional clothing? The rest of the developed world has switched to suits and pants. I get that robes and sandals are more comfortable for the desert climate, but even most Iraqis and Jordanians, far poorer than the Gulf Arab states, wear western-style suits.
I guess one benefit is that robes are not just breezier than pants, but they're also classy enough to be worn as business and formal attire (unlike shorts). Plus, sandals look good with robes, so the guys now have an excuse to wear sandals to business meetings and weddings--somethings strange in the Western world.
Otherwise I don't get why you'd want to walk around dressed like a Bible character in AD 2018. Those robes must be clumsy, kind of like ladies in their long dresses.
Why do Gulf Arabs wear traditional clothing? The rest of the developed world has switched to suits and pants. I get that robes and sandals are more comfortable for the desert climate, but even most Iraqis and Jordanians, far poorer than the Gulf Arab states, wear western-style suits.
I guess one benefit is that robes are not just breezier than pants, but they're also classy enough to be worn as business and formal attire (unlike shorts). Plus, sandals look good with robes, so the guys now have an excuse to wear sandals to business meetings and weddings--somethings strange in the Western world.
Otherwise I don't get why you'd want to walk around dressed like a Bible character in AD 2018. Those robes must be clumsy, kind of like ladies in their long dresses.
They're way more comfortable. I was working in Dubai and bought one on a whim. It may be the second most comfortable thing I own, especially on a hot day. It breathes, it's super roomy and comfortable, they're 100% cotton like a fine dress shirt, and as you said it works with sandals, which is a good thing when they have to go pray five times a day and take their shoes off.
Each Emirate/Country has their own style which sets them apart. Saudis, Qatari, Yemeni, Emrati, Omani all have differences in collar or cuffs or details.
They also look sharp as heck when done properly. Also, makes your wardrobe insanely easy.
[quote=mikeyyc;52926300]They're way more comfortable. I was working in Dubai and bought one on a whim. It may be the second most comfortable thing I own, especially on a hot day. It breathes, it's super roomy and comfortable, they're 100% cotton like a fine dress shirt, and as you said it works with sandals, which is a good thing when they have to go pray five times a day and take their shoes off.
Each Emirate/Country has their own style which sets them apart. Saudis, Qatari, Yemeni, Emrati, Omani all have differences in collar or cuffs or details.
They also look sharp as heck when done properly. Also, makes your wardrobe insanely easy.[/QUOTE
Do you wear pants underneath the robe? Or just underwear? Also, wouldn't the locals consider it funny if you are not Arab/Middle Eastern and decide to dress like them?
African men look great in colorful robes, too. Why should everyone conform to the West? Who says Western dress is what the world should be following, anyway? Ultimately, who cares?
If you visit Dubai, you will see local men are hardly found once you leave the custom control. All the workers are from South Asia and other poor countries. Occasionally you will see several local men with robes in the subway, but even there most passengers speak Urdu, Hindi and so on.
Why do Gulf Arabs wear traditional clothing? The rest of the developed world has switched to suits and pants. I get that robes and sandals are more comfortable for the desert climate, but even most Iraqis and Jordanians, far poorer than the Gulf Arab states, wear western-style suits.
I guess one benefit is that robes are not just breezier than pants, but they're also classy enough to be worn as business and formal attire (unlike shorts). Plus, sandals look good with robes, so the guys now have an excuse to wear sandals to business meetings and weddings--somethings strange in the Western world.
Otherwise I don't get why you'd want to walk around dressed like a Bible character in AD 2018. Those robes must be clumsy, kind of like ladies in their long dresses.
I worked several years in the Middle East and I think it's a combination of respecting their traditions and comfort. In an office environment even, some of the locals wear their traditional robes, totally acceptable, They might wear a suit one day and a robe the next.
I even had a manager (American) that bought and wore the robes on occasion....he had "fake converted" to Islam in order to marry his very young wife....I never figured out if the locals laughed at him wearing the robes or liked it, I think they must have liked it.
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