Dubai Fashion & Lifestyle—Rooted in Culture

 

While most countries have shed off age-old traditions, starting from native costume to other aspects of their culture, Dubai nationals strongly go for donning what their ancestors had passed on to them from generation to generation. In other cities of the world, many have chosen to conform to what is trendy, even racing with the hottest fashion in the sizzling ramps of Paris, the world's fashion capital. But although western ways of dressing are allowed in Dubai, particularly among expatriates and tourists, the manner of dressing as part of lifestyle among Dubai denizens is described as conservative. There is generally a minimal exposure of body parts, hair and legs included, among Emiratis. Fashion thus is a hodgepodge but value is seen in the strong resolve of the populace to keep alive the wearing of the traditional garb, including the women's black abaya which covers the entire body except the eyes and the parts of the face near the eyes. Meanwhile, men go around in dishdasha, an ankle-length garb in plain white or conservative colors, occasionally, stripes. Ghutra and agal are added to the men's distinct wear as their indispensable headpiece. Agal is that rope-like black band that pins down the ghutra which is generally in red-and-white striped or checkered fabric or a fine white piece of plain cloth.

 

Yet, walk the streets of Dubai, notably, the tourist hub and the business district where expats from all nations dot the streets and places of commerce and leisure. There is an array of fashionable wear among tourists and expats in the corporate world alongside Emiratis in their traditional clothes. In certain beach resorts frequented by expats, the dichotomy is even more pronounced. One may get to capture stark contrasts between men and women in conservative swimwear and male and female foreigners of jet-set lifestyle in scanty attire. Tourists do get away with the slinkiest of swimsuits but such is a rarity, to say the least, among the nationals. Dubai indeed has a liberal air but this disposition is more for those who simply sojourn in it. It has to do with the government's respect for diversity in culture.

 

The Emirates' conservative culture which is deeply-rooted in Islamic religion prescribes minimal exposure of the flesh, that which stimulates carnal appetite. As modern influences on dressing and lifestyle rub on to some of the younger members of the Emirati population (especially those who enroll in international schools or travel to western countries), there are admonitions from family and community members.

 

Islamic tenets and practices and pride in their culture dictate much of what comprise the lifestyle of the Emiratis themselves. Preserved traditions certainly cut into their lifestyle, but overall, the foreigners in their midst may dress up and live the way they choose to, short of anything universally offensive.