How to Accessorise and Style Your Thobe

Accessorizing and matching a thobe which is a traditional Middle Eastern garment can elevate your style and give you a more refined, polished look and it is commonly worn in the Muslim continents all around the world, more and more Muslim men are using this type of garment as wedding attire and when celebrating the festival of Eid. Even non Muslims are beginning to embrace the Arab look, and it has become a worldwide fashion statement from the young to the old generation, here are just some tips for accessorizing and matching your thobe

Headwear

A ghutra or shemagh are traditional scarves that are worn on the head and they are typically square scarves made of cotton or wool, the colours can vary and you can match them with the colour of your thobe for a uniform look. Otherwise you can use a contrasting colour or pattern to make a daring statement, the ghutra is usually secured with an agal which is a black cord and the agal is a black cord that holds the ghutra or shemagh in place, you can choose an agal that complements your thobe's colour, whether it's black, silver, or even a decorative agal with timmings. A taqiyah which is small cap worn underneath the ghutra or shemagh and it’s usually white and helps to keep the headwear in place.

Footwear

Traditional leather sandals or dress shoes are often worn with thobes and for a more formal look, you can always go for polished dress shoes in black or brown and slip-on shoes or moccasins can also work well for a more casual but still stylish appearance, choosing footwear that complements your thobe's colour whether that is black or brown can work well for most thobes, but if your thobe is a lighter colour, you can consider tan or beige shoes.

Watches

A slim sophisticated classic wristwatch adds a touch of elegance, choosing colours like silver or gold are commonly paired with thobes, but you can opt for a more modern style if you prefer. Wearing bracelets or cuffs can also be worn if you want to add more flair, a simple metal bracelet or cuff can be a good accessory, but ensure it doesn't overpower the simplicity of the thobe.

Belts

A thin leather belt can add a neat touch especially with a thobe that’s designed with a looser fit and making sure the belt is the same colour or a complementary colour to the thobe and you can always also opt for formal belts when it comes to more formal occasions, you can choose a belt with a subtle, elegant buckle to maintain the overall sophisticated aesthetic.

Cufflinks

If your thobe has cuffed sleeves or comes with a button-down cuff design adding cufflinks can elevate the look and you can also opt for minimalistic or refined designs, such as silver or gold, to match the overall feel of the outfit and for a stylish, elevated look, you can fold a small pocket square and tuck it into the breast pocket of your thobe and you can choose a colour or pattern that complements or contrasts the thobe's fabric, depending on the occasion.

Jewellery

A simple, elegant ring can complement your thobe and going for colours like gold or silver rings are most common, but they should not be too flashy or large, some people wear subtle chains or necklaces under their thobe, but these should be understated if you want to maintain the traditional and dignified look, some individuals add a pin or brooch on the chest area of the thobe, but this is often reserved for special occasions.

Layering Pieces

A bisht which is an old style cloak is commonly worn at formal or traditional occasions and it is a deluxe addition which is typically a long and flowing, it is often worn over the thobe and is made from fine fabrics like wool or silk and it can be black, brown, or cream in colour with gold or silver trim to add a regal touch, for a more modern, layered look, a well-tailored jacket or vest over your thobe can add a modern twist while still keeping to the traditional feel.

By carefully matching your accessories men can improve the cultural style of their thobe and create a sophisticated, fashionable appearance, keeping in mind the balanced overall look and to be mindful not to overload on accessories. Matching the thobe's colour and fabric with your accessories for a more formal look which are often paired well with a classic gold or silver, while casual thobes work well with minimalist or contemporary accessories. Paying careful attention to the fabric of your accessories for example if your thobe is made from light cotton, you can choose cotton or light fabrics for your scarf, and if it’s made from a luxurious fabric like silk, you can opt for similarly elegant accessories.