The majority of women wear a hijab and some sport a jilbab or even an abaya and niqab, while some older men can still be seen with keffieh and long tunics. Traditional clothes were once famous for the quality of their fabrics and the beauty of their embroideries, often in black and red.

What clothes do sheikhs wear?

Emirati men wear a long, single robe called a dishdasha or kandura. In Saudi Arabia, this is also called a thawb. This tends to be white as this is the coolest colour to wear in the desert heat, but brown, black or grey are seen more in winter months.

Why do the sheikhs cover their heads?

The light colour of the head gear helps to reflect the heat of the sun and cool the body, while the cover it gives to the neck and face helps to prevent sunburn. During cooler temperatures, heavier headdresses can fulfil the reverse function and keep the body warm.