Traditional Emirati dress centres on the kandura (also called the dishdasha or thobe) — a long white robe worn by men with a ghutra headscarf held by a black agal cord — and the abaya, a flowing black cloak worn by women over their clothing with a matching sheila headscarf. These garments are practical for the desert climate and are worn with pride as symbols of Emirati identity, modesty and heritage.
What do Emirati men wear?
The everyday national dress for Emirati men has three key elements, each suited to the Gulf’s heat and rooted in tradition.
The kandura (dishdasha)
The kandura is an ankle-length, loose-fitting robe, most often crisp white cotton to reflect the sun and stay cool. In cooler winter months men may wear it in beige, grey, brown or navy. A distinctive detail is the tarboosha (or farukhah), a long tassel hanging from the neckline that is sometimes lightly perfumed. The cut is deliberately simple and elegant, with regional variations in collar and sleeve style across the GCC. A well-kept white kandura is a point of quiet pride, and many Emirati men own a wardrobe of them, changing into a fresh one during the day to stay crisp in the heat.
The ghutra and agal
The ghutra is a square cotton headscarf, folded and draped over the head to shield against sun, dust and wind. In the UAE it is usually plain white, though the red-and-white checked version (the shemagh, more common in Saudi Arabia and Jordan) is also worn. Holding it in place is the agal — a doubled black cord traditionally made of goat hair, worn around the crown of the head.
What do Emirati women wear?
Emirati women wear the abaya, a long, flowing black cloak draped over their everyday clothing that covers the body while leaving the face, hands and feet visible. Made from lightweight fabrics such as crepe or silk, modern abayas range from plain to richly embroidered and beaded, and increasingly appear in colours or with designer detailing for special occasions. Paired with it is the sheila, a rectangular scarf worn over the head and neck. Some women additionally wear a niqab (face veil) or, in heritage contexts, the batoola (a metallic face mask), though these are personal or generational choices.
What do the colours and styles mean?
White for men and black for women are the everyday norms, but there is meaning and variation in the details.
| Garment | Worn by | Typical colour | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandura / dishdasha | Men | White (darker in winter) | Light, cool everyday robe |
| Ghutra | Men | White or red-and-white check | Sun, dust and wind protection |
| Agal | Men | Black | Secures the ghutra |
| Abaya | Women | Black (colours for occasions) | Modest outer cloak |
| Sheila | Women | Black | Head and neck covering |
Beyond function, the dress expresses values of modesty, elegance and belonging, and signals respect for local heritage — part of the same tradition of hospitality reflected in the UAE’s Arabic coffee and majlis culture.
How does traditional dress differ across the GCC?
The basics are shared across the Gulf, with local touches. Saudi men more often wear the red-and-white shemagh; Omani men are known for the embroidered massar turban and a tasselled kandura with a kuma cap; Qatari and Kuwaiti kanduras carry subtle differences in collar and cut. Women’s abayas everywhere follow the same modest silhouette, with regional and designer variation in embroidery and drape. These threads sit within a wider revival of Gulf heritage explored in our feature on the Arabian architecture renaissance.
What is the dress etiquette for visitors?
Tourists and expats are not expected to wear national dress, but should dress modestly out of respect — covering shoulders and knees in public, government buildings, mosques and traditional areas. When visiting a mosque, women typically need to cover their hair and wear loose clothing, and abayas are often provided at the entrance. Beachwear stays on the beach. Newcomers planning their first outings will find our Dubai travel guide a useful companion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the male Emirati robe called?
The kandura, also known as the dishdasha or thobe — a long, usually white robe worn as everyday national dress.
Why is the abaya black?
Black became the traditional colour for the abaya as a symbol of modesty and elegance. Modern abayas increasingly use other colours and embellishment for special occasions.
Can tourists wear the kandura or abaya?
Yes. Visitors may wear them respectfully and can buy them as souvenirs, but there is no obligation — modest everyday clothing is perfectly acceptable.
What is the black cord on a man’s head?
It is the agal, a doubled cord traditionally made of goat hair that holds the ghutra headscarf in place.
Bottom line
Traditional Emirati dress — the white kandura with ghutra and agal for men, the black abaya and sheila for women — is both climate-smart and deeply symbolic of identity and modesty. Understanding it, and dressing modestly yourself, is one of the simplest ways to show respect in the UAE and across the Gulf.
