The short answer
A kandura is the ankle-length robe Emirati men wear as national dress. It is collarless, cut loose through the body, and has a long tassel, often called the tarboosh, hanging from the neckline. Summer kanduras are usually white cotton or cotton blends; winter ones are heavier and often darker. Dubai tailors make them to measure, typically for about $35 to $120 each in 2026, depending mainly on the fabric.
- The Emirati kandura is collarless and loose, with a long tassel at the neckline.
- The Saudi thobe has a band collar and cufflinks; the Omani dishdasha has a short, often colorful tassel.
- White cotton and blends for summer; heavier, darker fabric, sometimes light wool, for winter.
- Tailors make kanduras to measure, often several at a time; book well before Eid.
- It is national dress: visitors may wear it, but never as a costume.
In this guide
- What is a kandura?
- What is the tassel on a kandura called?
- How is a kandura different from a Saudi thobe or an Omani dishdasha?
- What fabric is a kandura made from?
- How is a kandura measured and made?
- What is worn with a kandura?
- How much does a kandura cost in Dubai?
- Where are kanduras made in Dubai?
- Can non-Emiratis wear a kandura?
- Questions people ask
In Dubai you will see the kandura everywhere: in offices, malls, mosques and at weddings. To a visitor, one white robe can look much like another. To anyone from the Gulf, the neckline, the tassel, the cut and the fabric show at a glance whether the wearer is Emirati, Saudi, Omani or Kuwaiti, and how carefully the robe was made. Here is how the kandura is built, how it differs from its neighbors, and how a Dubai tailor makes one.
The kandura at a glance
- What it is
- The ankle-length robe worn by Emirati men as national dress
- Other names
- Kandoora or kandora; thobe or dishdasha elsewhere in the Gulf
- Neckline
- Collarless, with a long plaited tassel
- Fit
- Loose through the body, falling to the ankle
- Summer
- White cotton or cotton blends
- Winter
- Heavier fabric, often darker; sometimes light wool
- Price
- About $35 to $120 at Dubai tailors (2026)
What is a kandura?
A kandura is a long, loose robe, usually white, that Emirati men wear every day and on formal occasions. In the UAE it is called the kandura, kandoora or kandora; similar robes are called the thobe or thawb in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and the dishdasha in Kuwait and Oman. Each country has its own cut, and the kandura shares its basic shape most closely with the Omani dishdasha.
Kandura
The UAE's men's national robe: collarless, with a loose body, an A-line skirt to the ankle and straight sleeves without cuffs, finished with embroidery at the neck and front opening and a detachable tassel.
The traditional kandura has a simple construction. The sleeves are the same width from shoulder to wrist, with no cuffs or buttons, and triangular gussets join the sleeves to the body so the robe moves easily. A small yoke at the neck carries fine embroidery in satin or cotton thread around the neckline and front opening, and some kanduras close with tiny cotton ball buttons.
What is the tassel on a kandura called?
The tassel on an Emirati kandura is commonly called the tarboosh, and it is also recorded as the farkha or farukha. It is a plaited cord that hangs from the neckline, and it is usually detachable. Many men scent it with traditional perfume. On an Emirati kandura it is long and straight, reaching toward the abdomen; on an Omani dishdasha it is short, often colorful, and hangs to one side.
Since about 2000, more elaborately braided tassels have appeared, partly as a way of keeping traditional skills alive. The tassel is also where a well-made kandura shows its finish: it should be evenly plaited and hang straight.
How is a kandura different from a Saudi thobe or an Omani dishdasha?
The quickest way to tell Gulf robes apart is the neckline. The Emirati kandura and the Omani dishdasha are collarless, while the robes of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain have a collar, usually take cufflinks at the cuff, and are worn over long trousers called sirwal.
| Collar | Tassel | Cufflinks | Fit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emirati kandura | None | Long and straight | Loose | |
| Omani dishdasha | None | Short, often colorful | Loose | |
| Saudi thobe | Two-button band | Fitted | ||
| Kuwaiti dishdasha | One-button band | Slim | ||
| Qatari thobe | Band or shirt collar | Fitted |
- Saudi thobe: a closer fit, a two-button band collar and shirt-style cuffs for cufflinks.
- Kuwaiti dishdasha: close to the Saudi style, with a one-button band collar and a slim cut. Many Emiratis also wear the Kuwaiti style for its front pocket.
- Qatari thobe: often a shinier fabric, a long band or shirt collar, buttons down the front and sometimes a pocket.
- Bahraini thobe: a collar and a looser body than the Saudi style, often with small details at the pocket.
- Omani dishdasha: the same basic cut as the kandura, with the shorter tassel and an embroidered cap, the kuma, or a turban, the massar.
Styles also travel. From the 1970s to about 2000, some Emirati kanduras were made with a high, mandarin-style collar borrowed from Saudi fashion, and UAE tailors today also make a blend of two designs known as the Abadi. For more on standing collars, see our guide to mandarin collars and Nehru jackets.
What fabric is a kandura made from?
Most summer kanduras are made from white cotton or cotton blends, which stay cool in the heat. Less expensive polyester and polyester blends have become common more recently; they crease less but breathe less. In winter, many men switch to heavier fabrics in darker colors such as gray, brown, beige or black, and light wool in beige and earth tones is a traditional winter choice. Our guide to shirt fabrics explains the weaves that kandura fabrics share with shirts.
| Season | Typical fabric | Typical colors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Fine cotton or cotton blends | White | The coolest choice; white reflects the sun |
| Year-round, budget | Polyester or polyester blends | White and pale tones | Creases less but traps more heat |
| Winter | Heavier cotton blends or light wool | Gray, brown, beige, black and earth tones | Wool kanduras are mostly a winter order |
Color carries no fixed meaning: it is a matter of season, taste and occasion.
How is a kandura measured and made?
A kandura is made to measure: the client chooses the fabric, and the tailor measures and makes the robe to fit. Many men order several at a time, often between three and twenty, and some tailors send a representative to the client's home or majlis to take orders and deliver the finished robes.
Stage 1: Choose the fabric
Weight and color for the season
Stage 2: Take measurements
Length, shoulders, chest, sleeves and neck
Stage 3: Cut the pattern
Body, sleeves, gussets and neck yoke
Stage 4: Sew the robe
Usually by machine
Stage 5: Finish the neckline
Embroidery and the tassel
Stage 6: Press and deliver
Ready to wear
- Length: from the shoulder to the ankle, where the hem usually falls.
- Shoulders and chest: the kandura should hang straight and loose, never pull across the back.
- Sleeves: long enough to reach the wrist, with an even width along their length.
- Neck: the opening should sit close without gaping or pressing on the throat.
- Style details: the embroidery, the tassel length and any pocket are agreed before cutting.
What is worn with a kandura?
The kandura is part of a complete outfit. Underneath, men traditionally wear a white undershirt and a wizar, a length of fabric wrapped at the waist; the Gulf thobes with collars are worn over sirwal trousers instead. On top come the headdress and, for special occasions, a cloak.
| Piece | What it is | When it is worn |
|---|---|---|
| Ghutra | A square headscarf, usually cotton, white or red-and-white, folded into a triangle | Daily and formal wear |
| Gahfiya | A small cap worn under the ghutra | Under the ghutra |
| Agal | A black cord ring that holds the ghutra in place | With the ghutra; some men tie the ghutra as a turban instead |
| Bisht | A cloak, often black, brown, beige, cream or gray, with gold edging | Weddings, festivals, formal and official occasions |
| Sandals | Usually open leather sandals | Daily wear |
Headdress styles vary by country too. Saudis often wear a red-and-white shemagh, Qataris fold the ghutra into a pointed shape at the front, Kuwaitis wear it symmetrically, and Omanis usually wear the kuma cap or, on formal occasions, the massar turban.
How much does a kandura cost in Dubai?
In 2026, Dubai tailors' published prices for a made-to-measure kandura run from about $35 to $120, or about 120 to 450 dirhams. The fabric sets most of the price: premium Japanese and Korean fabrics sit at the top of the range, and embroidery adds a little more. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725, so dollar prices are stable; ask any tailor for a current written quote.
Where are kanduras made in Dubai?
Kandura tailors work all over Dubai, from neighborhood shops in residential areas such as Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim to outlets in the large malls, including The Dubai Mall. Some tailors and services measure clients at home and deliver the finished kanduras there. The suit tailors on our Dubai ranking are a separate trade.
Can non-Emiratis wear a kandura?
Visitors and residents may wear a kandura, and some do when invited to an Emirati wedding or for National Day. Treat it as national dress, not a costume: wear it clean, pressed and complete, with a white undershirt beneath. Wearing it as a joke or a prop for social media causes real offense. For business meetings, visitors are expected to wear a suit; see our guide to what to wear in Dubai.
Ordering a kandura in Dubai
- Decide the style: Emirati, Kuwaiti, Saudi or another cut.
- Choose the fabric for the season and feel it for weight and opacity.
- Agree the tassel, embroidery and any pocket before cutting.
- Ask the tailor to keep your measurements and pattern.
- Get a written price per kandura and a delivery date.
- Order a month or more ahead of Eid or a wedding.
If you are also having a suit made while in the city, read our guide to getting a suit made in Dubai.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a kandura and a thobe?
A kandura is the Emirati version of the Gulf robe: collarless, loose, with a long tassel at the neck and straight sleeves without cuffs. A Saudi or Qatari thobe has a collar, a more fitted body and cuffs for cufflinks, and is worn over sirwal trousers. Thobe is also used as a general word for these robes.
What is the tassel on a kandura called?
The tassel on an Emirati kandura is commonly called the tarboosh, and it is also recorded as the farkha or farukha. It is a plaited cord that hangs from the neckline, is usually detachable and is often scented with perfume. The Emirati tassel is long; the Omani one is short and often colorful.
How much does a kandura cost in Dubai?
In 2026, a made-to-measure kandura from a Dubai tailor typically costs about $35 to $120, or about 120 to 450 dirhams. The fabric sets most of the price, and premium fabrics and embroidery cost more. Ask for a current written quote.
What fabric are kanduras made of?
Summer kanduras are usually made of white cotton or cotton blends, which keep the wearer cool. Polyester blends are a cheaper option that creases less but breathes less. Winter kanduras use heavier fabric, sometimes light wool, often in gray, brown, beige or black.
What do Emirati men wear under a kandura?
Emirati men traditionally wear a white undershirt and a wizar, a length of fabric wrapped around the waist, under the kandura. The collared Gulf thobes of Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries are worn over long trousers called sirwal. A white undershirt keeps the fine white fabric from showing what is beneath.
What is worn on the head with a kandura?
With a kandura, Emirati men wear a ghutra, a square headscarf in white or red-and-white, over a small cap called a gahfiya, held in place by a black cord called an agal. Some tie the ghutra as a turban instead. For formal occasions, a cloak called a bisht is worn over the kandura.
Can tourists wear a kandura in Dubai?
Tourists may wear a kandura in Dubai, for example at an Emirati wedding they are invited to or on National Day. It is national dress, so wear it properly and respectfully and never as a joke or costume. For business meetings, a suit remains the expected choice for visitors.
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