When it comes to Arabian dresses for men, we envision them in long, flowing gowns that look like tunics or robes, usually white in color. These ankle-length garments with long sleeves are called Thobes. Dishdasha, Kandura or Suriyah are other names given to this dress in different regions of the world. The word thobe is an Arabic word meaning ‘a garment’. It is also written as defrost It is a favorite traditional Arab dress that imparts a unique identity to men from the Arab states in the Persian Gulf. People in East Africa also dress in robes. Thobes is a favorite throughout the Middle East.

Long robe-like thobes can be worn in different lengths: short ones represent modesty, while long thobes are a symbol of royalty, high social status, and prosperity. The favorite fabric used for a thobe is cotton; however, the woolen material is also used in cold climates. The thobes are made of polyester, georgette or any lightweight fabric. Thobes made of lighter fabric are considered casual and are generally worn as dresses for everyday wear in the comfortable environment of the home.

Men from the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Jordan and other Muslim countries wear a tunic in their own distinctive style. These full-length garments offer versatility to Muslim men. A thobe or dishdasha can also be made from embroidered or patterned cloth. Most popular is bright embroidery around the neck and cuffs. Formal gowns can have sequin details to make the dress look special and formal. A very formal form of thobe is called a “bisht” which is worn by men of status and wealth on very essentially formal occasions such as a wedding, Eid or other important ceremonies. A “bisht” is usually made in Syria, Jordan, and Iraq and is a popular dress in these regions.

Thobe styles can be distinguished by their designs and cuts. Men’s headwear worn with tunics also varies from region to region and indicates style and individuality. Men in Morocco wear shorter sleeves that make their thobe look like an ankle-length undershirt. They call it a winner. The neckline is also more open and the chest pocket is embroidered. Kuwaiti tunics have a one button collar and are slim fit. Omanis wear a Mussar as a head garment with a dishdasha. His thobe is collarless and is usually colourful. Bahraini Kandura has a soft shirt collar and is loose fitting. It has shirt pockets like ordinary shirts. Men in Qatar prefer bright, fine fabrics for their robes. Her dress has a long tassel and a shirt pocket. Men in the United Arab Emirates do not wear collared kandura, but do appreciate some fine embroidery on the sleeves of their dress. Saudis often wear a checkered helmet with a thobe. His garments fit well with a button-down collar and formal shirt sleeves designed to hold cufflinks. Therefore, Arab men from different regions wear robes in different styles.

The word thobe does not only refer to men’s clothing; it is also used for some similar traditional dresses for Palestinian women. The women’s tunic is made of fine georgette, silk, or chiffon and is worn in fresh, bright colors. It is reminiscent of a full length flared garment that is heavily embroidered in the front and has a billowing back. It is also called the “Khaleeji dress” and is worn in traditional ceremonies. A thobe, worn by a man or a woman, is considered a distinctive garment of the Arab world where it represents comfort, royalty and status or elegance, taste and style.