The Unexpected Side of Egyptian Fashion and Style

In Egypt, the abeya is as much a fashion statement as a pair of jeans. Take a trip through Cairo fashion from full face covers to sexy shoes.

Westerners tend to be uncomfortable with Middle Eastern clothing styles, but in fact many Egyptians dress like Americans - heavily influenced by the second-hand clothing trade. Western wedding dresses are surprisingly popular: bikinis – the skimpier the better – and lingerie are sold almost everywhere.

But most Egyptian women prefer an abeya – the word means cloak in Arabic. It’s a loose overgarment – a robe-like dress worn throughout the Muslim world. In Egypt, the abeya is traditionally black. It’s designed to protect women from unwanted attention, and shows the wearer has a pure and modest character.

Abeyas may all look the same to Westerners, but there are in fact dozens of different styles and an almost infinite variety of decorations. The Abeya is as much a fashion statement as a pair of jeans.

The niqab, on the other hand, is pretty basic. It covers the entire face except for the eyes. The niqab is not obligatory in Egypt, but many women choose to wear one in the presence of males unrelated by blood or marriage.

Since Egyptian dress covers everything except the hands and feet, it’s not surprising that Middle Eastern women are obsessed with shoes and handbags. Entire blocks in Cairo are dedicated to selling little else. Women love high heels, glitter – anything that might catch attention. But most Egyptians can’t afford those fancy stores. When they need something, they head for Cairo’s second hand markets.

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Category: Travel