When it comes to wearing thobes, much controversy arises regarding who can and who cannot wear a thobe. While no entitlement or designation exists to the people who can enjoy wearing a thobe, the confusion still prevails.
Often, wearers have the mindset that they are not permitted to wear this garment or that it belongs only to a particular culture and tradition. Therefore, in this blog, we will clarify the uncertainty related to thobes by addressing frequently asked questions, such as “Can non-muslims wear thobes?” “What countries wear thobes?” And “Can non-Saudis wear thobe?”
Can Non-Muslims Wear Thobes?
Yes, non-muslims can wear thobes! Thobes are garments that are not only exclusive to Muslims but can be worn by anyone irrespective of their ethnicity, religion, culture, or tradition.
Agreeably, there are dedicated categories of thobes that originate from particular homelands, like Moroccan thobes from Morocco, Emirati thobes from UAE, and Omanian thobes from Oman. However, this does not confine the attire to these nationalities; rather, it allows individuals to embrace a particular culture’s unique identity.
Thobes, widely renowned for their comfortability and versatility, are generally worn by everyone. Tourists, especially when traveling and seeking to experience the culture of a region, indeed opt to wear the thobe, showing their respect for the region and its values.
Similarly, white people also wear thobes. Reiterating, thobes are not limited to any particular categorization but are open to worn by all who desire. Whether white, black, Asian, South Asian, or Caucasian, you can wholeheartedly choose to wear a thobe and take up its defining characteristic of being a culturally diverse dress.
What Countries Wear Thobes?
Primarily, the regions known for having thobe as their national or traditional garment are the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and East Africa.
Middle East:
- Saudia Arabia
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Qatar
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Bahrain
- Yemen
North Africa:
- Egypt
- Morocco
East Africa:
- Somalia
- Sudan
South Asia:
- Pakistan
- India
Other Regions:
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
Again, it is important to note that wearing a thobe is not only restricted to the citizens of these areas. Instead, anyone can willingly immerse themselves in experiencing the cultural significance, comfort, and elegance associated with a thobe.
All the ex-pats living in Europe, the UK, or the USA wear thobes quite regularly to depict their cultural identity and stay close to their roots. Commonly, they wear the garment for celebrations of cultural or religious festivities like Eid, weddings, and other gatherings.
Can Non-Saudis Wear Thobe?
Definitely! Saudi and non-Saudis both can wear a thobe. People living and working in Saudia Arabia often make a conscious choice of dressing in a thobe as it gives them a sense of belonging and makes them feel included.
Although there are no rules for how a man is supposed to dress in Saudia Arabia, to partake in its culture, which is defined by modest dress, many men wear a thobe. Also, since thobe satisfies the needs of both a casual and formal gathering (depending on how you style it), it eases the responsibilities of the working men/ professionals by offering a versatile and no-fuss wardrobe choice.
Keep in mind that while thobes are worn in Saudia Arabia by an overwhelming majority, short-sleeved thobes have been banned and pronounced illegal in the kingdom since November 2019. So when deciding on your thobe, eliminate short-sleeved thobes as a potential option!
Men Thobes UK: Your Ultimate Companion
Thobes are culturally diverse, and here, at Men Thobes UK, we are devoted to ensuring that our customers receive a thobe that is bespoke, stitched to perfection, and their preferred style.
We have several customization options that you can pick and choose from:
- Material (Cotton, silk, polyester, mix, custom fabric sourcing)
- Neckline (embroidered, simple, print, block print, zipper, tassels)
- Buttons (shiny, plane, color)
- Stitching size (extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, plus-size)
To learn more about our services, you can reach out to us by phone, email, or send us a message, and together, let’s craft your perfect thobe!