What do Kuwait people wear?

Traditional dress in Kuwait is conservative, especially for women, and is heavily influenced by Islamic laws. Men traditionally wear a long, loose shirt coming to below the knees, over loose-fitting trousers called a dishdasha. This garment is usually white in colour, but can be found in other colours such as beige or grey, especially in the cooler winter months. A headdress, known as a ghutra or shemagh is also worn, which is typically white in colour and made from cotton. The ghutra is held in place by an agal, a round black cord. In the cooler winter months, a bisht, a long, dark-coloured cloak, may be worn over the dishdasha. Additionally, men in Kuwait may wear a thawb, a long, white cotton robe.

For occasions such as formal gatherings, men often wear the national dress of Kuwait, which consists of a white dishdasha, a white ghutra, a black agal, and a red sash around the waist, worn over a white undershirt.

Traditional women's dress in Kuwait is also conservative and is known as an abaya. The abaya is a long, loose black cloak-like garment that covers a woman's entire body, except for the eyes. The abaya is usually worn over loose-fitting trousers or a long dress. Women may also wear a headscarf, known as a hijab, which covers their hair and neck, and a niqab, a face veil that covers the entire face, except for the eyes. In addition, women may choose to wear gloves or socks to cover their hands and feet, and may also use a burqa, a full-body covering.

Modern dress

While traditional dress is still commonly worn in Kuwait, there has been an increase in the adoption of Western-style clothing, especially among younger generations. Many younger men now wear jeans and T-shirts and even though Western clothing is not traditionally accepted, it is more often seen in public places, especially in shopping malls. Younger women may wear long, loose-fitting trousers or jeans, and long-sleeved tunics or shirts that cover their midriffs, headscarves, and abayas. Some women may also choose to wear more colourful or fashionable abayas, or may choose to wear a long loose dress known as a jalabiya.

Modern dress in Kuwait is generally more casual than traditional dress, and is more in line with international fashion trends. However, it is still important to respect local customs and dress conservatively, especially when visiting religious sites or government buildings.