Thread: What kind of a garment is this?

I found a magnificent galabeya of some sort in a charity shop today, which I'm planning to use as a cover-up - but I've never seen one quite like it before, and am wondering if anyone knows what it would have originally been worn for, or who by? It's almost floor length on me, and I'm 6' tall, which makes me think maybe it's meant to be for a man - but the design seems fairly feminine. It also seems a lot more shiny and ornate than most galabeyas I've seen. The label in it is in Arabic.

So, I'd be interested to know where you might usually see people dressed like this, and obviously to be told if it's somehow inappropriate as a coverup.

http://karenborek.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/004.jpg

(I also have a photo of the label but Bhuz is being weird with my albums and I can't seem to post it)

I've seen plenty of galabeyas in Egyptian shops that are that ornate and shiny. I don't know of any reason why you shouldn't use it as a cover-up.

Originally Posted by beafarhana

I've seen plenty of galabeyas in Egyptian shops that are that ornate and shiny. I don't know of any reason why you shouldn't use it as a cover-up.

Ah, fantastic
Edit - I realise that probably seemed like a silly question, but my brother was convinced that it must be a priest's robe or something because it looked so grand, and it got me wondering...

It's gorgeous. What a lucky find.

Wow! Lovely! It looks like a Moroccan dress to me.
R

It may be Moroccan, but in my experience, Moroccan Galabayas generally comes in two pieces - a sleeveless rob without any openings and a over coat with lots of little buttons. With the piecing of the yoke, sleeves, and hem, I would be more inclined to say it was Syrian. still lovely and appropriate to wear as a cover up.

{{{HUGS}}}

What a score! I would wear it.

Beautiful!!

Originally Posted by Roshanna

The label in it is in Arabic. [...] (I also have a photo of the label but Bhuz is being weird with my albums and I can't seem to post it)

There might be a clue to the origin on the label. Do you have the picture online somewhere else with a link if Bhuz won't let you link it here?

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

It may be Moroccan, but in my experience, Moroccan Galabayas generally comes in two pieces - a sleeveless rob without any openings and a over coat with lots of little buttons. With the piecing of the yoke, sleeves, and hem, I would be more inclined to say it was Syrian. still lovely and appropriate to wear as a cover up.

{{{HUGS}}}

I'm no expert but I was thinking along the lines of Syrian as well. Definately not Moroccan. The two piece you are thinking of is called a "t a k s h i t a" - google it for some delicious eye candy this morning.

Oh - and yes, I'd wear it.

Edited - sorry for the goofy spelling - the middle part was being *ed out. :)

Ditto Anala - score!!

Tritto!

To me, this looks like a variation on a Bedouin thobe made from a print fabric instead of a solid, and using placement of contrasting fabrics to decorate it rather than using the traditional cross-stitch embroidery. In other words, less labor-intensive to make and therefore more inexpensive to sell.

To me, it looks more Palestinian or Sinai than Syrian.

Here is a Palestinian example: Folkwear Pattern #101

Here is Syrian - you can see the cut of the yoke is quite different from the Palestinian, so I don't think this is quite the same as what you have: Folkwear Pattern #105

For a photo of me wearing my Syrian thobe, see Ask the Belly Dance Costume Goddess: Costume Options for Performing Debke and scroll down to the section titled "Additional Comments from Shira".

Assuming I'm correct about this being a Levantine design, you should be fine using it as a cover-up.

I managed to translate the label (with help from google!), it says 'Emperor - made in Egypt'. The shape does seem very similar to Shira's Syrian thobe.

Would an ornate galabeya/thobe like this be worn by people in the Middle East as normal day-to-day clothes? Or are they more intended for special occasions?

At the next hafla I go to, I'm going to be just as excited about putting my cover-up on as about my actual costume

Result! It's so worth trawling the charity shops - I once got an assuit cover up (new, not antique) for a fiver from one near me. Congratulations again :-)

Originally Posted by Roshanna

I managed to translate the label (with help from google!), it says 'Emperor - made in Egypt'. The shape does seem very similar to Shira's Syrian thobe.

Would an ornate galabeya/thobe like this be worn by people in the Middle East as normal day-to-day clothes? Or are they more intended for special occasions?

At the next hafla I go to, I'm going to be just as excited about putting my cover-up on as about my actual costume

People in the ME generally *would* wear something like this at home. There is definitely a more ornate style of clothing and home decor that I have taken to calling Cairo Style!

It could be Moroccan. Sometimes they do come with out the "overcoat especially if they are as elaborate a prnt as this..and they do also get separated. I gave a 2 piece Moroccan set to a dance troup and they only use one part!
But many robes and gelabeyas are simlar in shape around North Africa and the ME.especially these days.
Whatever it is beautiful and perfectly servicable as a cover up and a lovely garment in its' own right,