Men's thobes also known as “dishdashas” and “kandouras” are one-piece garments that start from the shoulder of the wearer and extend till the ankle. These are worn as a national dress in several Gulf countries. Despite the numerous additions to the set of Muslim dresses, particularly the western ones such as t-shirts, hooded sweatshirts and jackets, thobes have remained an important wardrobe staple for men and it is still hard to find a substitute for them – for several decades, Islamic men have been holding on to this ethnic outfit.
Ideal for almost every season, thobes can be worn throughout the year. During summers, these garments shield the body from the scorching heat of the sun. On the other hand, thobes worn during winters help to keep the body warm. A favorite among Islamic men, these attires are giving a tough competition to the shirt-pant combination. Furthermore, it is quite easy for them to buy thobes online.
While comparing the latest thobes with those worn in the past, one can find some differences in the design. Even the choice of colors has changed – Islamic men today choose not only black but also other shades such as maroon, brown and blue in thobes as well as other Muslim garments such as kurtas and kameez.
Designs of thobes differ from one country to another – these differences however are least noticeable.
The following are some popular designs of thobes that are in vogue today:
Short Sleeve Moroccan Thobes
As the name suggests, these thobes feature short sleeves and are quite prominent in Morocco. Ideal for summers, these thobes are mostly crafted with a lightweight fabric such as koshibo. Some of the common features of these thobes are v-neck design, chest pocket, side pockets, and buttons near the chest.
Hand Embroidered Thobes
These thobes feature embroidery designs on the sleeves, cuffs as well as around the chest – the embroidery designs are mostly handcrafted. Some Islamic men use colorful stones as cuff links for these embroidered thobes. Also, the buttons are hidden in some of these thobes.