Much of Emarati's national identity comes from their national dresses. These clothes have been worn for hundreds of years, from the time when the United Arab Emirates was populated by Bedouins. The majority of the locals continue to wear their national clothes regularly, as garments are especially suited to the region's high temperatures, dusty climate, and religious beliefs. Read on to learn more about Emirati clothing.

Emirati National Men's Dress

The male national dress mainly consists of the Kandura, also called dishdasha. This is a long white cloak. The color of the garment comes from the Bedouin culture, as it is perfect for reflecting the sun's rays. Brown and gray are also more worn in the winter months. It is common for Emirati men to own more than 50 Kanduras and change them during the day, to keep their appearance wrinkle-free and fresh.

Men also wear the Guthrie, a headscarf. The most common colors are white or white and red. The Guthrie is also an item from the Bedouin culture, as it protected the people from the sands of the desert. The Guthrie can be worn in a variety of ways to indicate status and importance.

Full national dress includes several other items such as the Agal, and the black rope tied around the Guthrie. This was originally used by Bedouins to tie the feet of their camels at night during their journey. The Ghafiyah is a headgear that looks exactly like the Muslim prayer hat but is barely visible as it is worn under the headscarf. Other common items include the Faneela, a vest worn under the Kandura; the Woozar, a piece of white cloth worn around the waist below the Kandura; and the Bisht, a garment resembling a jacket, usually worn on special occasions or by those in power.

On their feet, men of Emarati wear the Na-aal, traditional sandals. It is said that residents of Dubai are more likely to wear shoes, while those from Abu Dhabi tend to wear sandals.

Emirati Women's National Dress

Women in the UAE traditionally wear the Abaya. This is a long flowing black dress and can be plain or decorated with impressive designs. Abayas cost anywhere from 100 AED to 2500 AED (US$27-680). It is worn as a sign of modesty. However, it is common for women to wear fully western outfits under their abayas. Women also wear a headscarf called the Shela, to cover their hair. This is normally black and made of very light material. Many women opt for designer scarves, such as Givenchy or Dior, which can even be paired with their handbags. For more traditional women, the Vishwa is an option. This black veil covers the whole face; it's thin enough to look out, though no one can see their faces. A third option is the Burqa, which only shows the eyes. Together, these women's clothes are known as the hijab, which essentially means head covering. While modesty is the goal, women still enjoy emphasizing their visible features through makeup, traditionally Kohl uses on the eyes like eyeliner. Another way to enhance their appearance is through henna, a temporary tattoo that is typically applied to a woman's hands. Henna is made from dried leaves and the designs created with it are beautiful. Women in the UAE love their jewelry making it an essential part of their national dress. In the past, women carried all their savings in the form of jewelry, in the absence of banks. Women wear everything including gold and silver bracelets, earrings, rings, anklets, and more.