What Type of Thobe to Wear With the Ideal Keffiyeh

Matching a thobe with an ideal keffiyeh depends on several factors, including the occasion, personal style, cultural preferences, and regional trends. Whether that is attending a religious function like Eid ul Fitr or Eid ul Adha, attending a family or friend’s wedding there are so many styles and colours to choose from.  When travelling to the far east to the warmer destinations like Dubai & Abu Dhabi, thobes and keffiyehs are worn every day to the place of work or on just a family outing. They are much more comfortable, and are best suited to the warmer climate over there, they are best suited when visiting the masjid, here are just some guidelines to help you choose the right combination:

Colour Coordination

Classic White Thobe

Red and White Keffiyeh (Shemagh). Traditional and widely worn, especially in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region because of the warmer climate, and the normal dress sense in the far east.

Black and White Keffiyeh. Popular in the Levant and Palestine, this combination provides a strong contrast with the white thobe, this is one of the everyday colours men from that region are comfortable to wear, it’s not a stand out colour and will easily blend into the crowd.

Black Thobe

White or Light-Coloured Keffiyeh. Creates a striking contrast and is suitable for formal occasions, this type of thobe with the matching keffiyeh is typically worn at weddings. Its classy and elegant and matches well with your partner’s outfit, men usually have a blazer on top to keep warm in the winter months.

Black and White Keffiyeh. A monochromatic look that is both stylish and understated, it will typically blend in and match with any other garment that you are wearing.

Coloured Thobe

Matching or Complementary Colours. Choosing a keffiyeh that matches or complements the colour of your thobe, for example, a blue thobe with a white and blue keffiyeh. This is your typical everyday look, and can be worn on formal and informal occasions.

Fabric and Texture

Cotton Thobe with Cotton Keffiyeh. These tend to be light and breathable, perfect for hot weather, in the sunnier climates of the far east, it is the perfect style and combination. You cannot go wrong with these colours as these can be matched with almost anything in your wardrobe, and most men usually choose to wear trainers or sandals under these.

Silk or Satin Thobe/Silk or Fine Cotton Keffiyeh. These add a touch of luxury and sophistication and are suitable for special occasions, they are worn typically at weddings and parties, or when celebrating Eid and joining loved ones and friends at the masjid. The younger generation are now beginning to wear this attire and have it on for the rest of the day, compared to just wearing it to pray in at the masjid, this has become a fashion statement and will continue to do so in the years ahead.

Patterns and Styles

Plain Thobe with Patterned Keffiyeh. These are usually a focal point of the outfit, and are most common amongst men, they usually tend to wear a plain thobe and match it with a patterned Keffiyeh as the contrast is both appealing and stylish to the eye.

Embroidered or Patterned Thobe with Plain Keffiyeh. These tend to Balance the look and also prevents the outfit from looking too busy, again is typically worn on more formal occasions like a family wedding. Men in the family tend to dress up to celebrate the happy occasion in question, and an embroidered thobe is perfect with a plain keffiyeh.

Regional Preferences

Gulf Region

White Thobe with Red and White Shemagh. A classic and traditional look, especially in the gulf region this is most common as it can be seen from a distance with the striking colour combination. Whilst you are travelling to different parts of the desert, not only is lightweight and breathable, it’s a safer option if you happen to come across any trouble.

Levant (Palestine, Jordan)

White or Black Thobe with Black and White Keffiyeh. A common and culturally significant combination, in these parts of the region this is a symbolic statement amongst Muslim men.

North Africa

Coloured Thobes with Matching or Contrasting Keffiyehs These reflect the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage in today’s generation. Parents tend to wear these on their children when celebrating the Eid festival, not only does it look stylish and cute, it’s the perfect traditional attire.

Occasion

Formal Events

White Thobe with a Fine Quality Keffiyeh. These tend to be high-quality fabrics and subtle patterns, it is almost worn in all parts of the world from the far east to here in the United Kingdom, due to its simplicity, and again can be worn for any occasion.

Personal Style

Modern and Trendy. The modern man will experiment with different colours, patterns, and fabrics to create a unique and stylish look. Dependant on what is in his wardrobe, more so now than ever before, men are going outside of their comfort zone and are not afraid of making that extra bit of effort to go with the occasion.

Example Combinations

• White Thobe with Red and White Shemagh: Traditional and versatile.
• Black Thobe with Black and White Keffiyeh: Modern and elegant.
• Blue Thobe with White and Blue Keffiyeh: Fresh and contemporary.
• Embroidered Beige Thobe with Plain White Keffiyeh: Sophisticated and balanced.

By considering these factors, you can choose a thobe and keffiyeh combination that suits your style, the occasion, and cultural context.