Here
is another piece that I wrote maybe three years ago on Arab traditional
fashion. A good example on writing skills at an amateur stage. Keep in
mind, these are opinions of mostly undergraduate students studying in an
American university in Egypt. Very opinionated, don't consider this as a
generalization of Arab traditional fashion.
The Kafiya scarf
Dazzlllee
- with sequins and colorful shrouds! What is your version of an Arabic
outfit? Is it necessary to retain traditional values? And what is it
that makes you a part of a race?
What is tradition? In simple words, it is simply the preservation of
cultural values over time. Values however, is not only restricted to
morals, habits and food but also clothing—fashion. Every country has its
own traditional clothing from the colorful Kimonos in Japan, the Kanga
in Kenya and let us not forget the Sari that Indians proudly wear even
in a foreign country. These countries and others have preserved this
icon of identity over generations as ‘their’ fashion. So what is ‘Arab
Fashion’?
Thai student studying Arab Studies described Arabs as “those people who
consider themselves Arabs sharing particular collective ideas such as
tribe, culture, language and religion (in some cases)."
First of all we need to familiar ourselves of the term Arab. Arabs,
modernly in geographic terms, are known to be those mostly who come from
West Asia and North Africa. Most of them may share common languages,
culture and traditions. When outsiders think of the word Arab, they
always think of the image. They would describe their image of the outfit
as “colorful and long, pretty ornate with embroidery and stuff like
that,” Political Science student from the US said. Another student when
asked about what he thinks when the term Arab is pointed out the words:
“Hijab, white Thoub and the Kafiya."
So People from the West and Far East have a colorful idea of the
clothes ‘Arabs’ may wear. Either that or veiled and let’s not forget the
famous Kafiya. This is what most people would argue is what the whole world sees.
So do we still conserve our traditions? In another way, do we still
wear traditional clothings from time to time? A few others like
Petroleum Engineer student from Yemen and Communications Media Arts
student from Egypt have said that they did wear it but only for
occasions such as the Thoub and Galabeya.
Mostly seen among Arab Gulf countries
Alternate spellings used The
Thoub or Thobe is a garment with long sleeves and the length varies
depending on the country’s tradition. It is mostly seen in white but
there have been instances of other colors like brown, dark blue and
black. The Galabeya or Jelabiya is known to be used by the Persian Gulf
women and is also seen in Egypt. It is used as a casual or evening
wear. Egyptian student studying Marketing Communications said that she
does “not like it” and an Egyptian student studying Biology explained
that he “normally don’t find it important to wear or pretty."
And why don’t we wear these traditional clothes if not for special
occasions. It seems that we’ve had a lot of influence from the West. We
are certainly influenced by them through mass media. The effect it has
is not only to the Middle East but reaches globally. Another Egyptian
studying Communications, when asked whether she wore any traditional
clothes answered, “No, because it is trendy to wear Americanized style
of clothes like jeans."
Maybe westernization is a modern term
for many. So what would we describe a ‘Modern Arab’ as? French student
studying Biology says that a Modern Arab is usually “westernized” from
what he sees in his university. When asked whether there is anything
for them to retain their traditional image, he explained that “there is
no link between the clothing and culture."
Well, that means
clothing is not important to retain traditional customs. Another
Egyptian studying Communications said: “It is not really important to
wear traditional clothing and it all depends on your personality."
However, it is not seen as something necessary as Egyptian student
studying Journalism said: “I don’t wear any traditional clothes because I
don’t own any, and also there is no reason that requires me to do so."
Then again, does wearing these traditional outfits really make you an Arab?
One of his works under Fine Art 
