Toward a Modernized Somali Fashion: A Call for Creative Collaboration to Revive Our Visual Identity

General Description of Design 2 – From a Collection of 5 Traditional Somali Men’s Outfits

The name of this outfit is currently unknown. It may be beneficial to consult Somali linguists to either discover its traditional name or create a culturally appropriate one.
It is worn in daily life and on ordinary occasions, and it consists of three main components:

Long Shirt
Skirt
Long Fabric Belt (tied around the waist)

1. The Shirt:
Length: Reaches mid-thigh.
Cut: Straight, long, comfortable, without buttons.
Collar: Round only (no folds or corners).
Sleeves: Long, comfortable, and taper slightly at the wrist.
Decoration:
Embroidered strips are added, chosen from the following patterns, either as a selected combination or all together, depending on preference:
• Embroidery strip surrounding the neckline.
• Two vertical embroidery strips running from the neckline down to the hem on both the left and right front sides of the shirt.
• Embroidery strip at the end of the sleeves.
• Embroidery strip at the hem of the shirt.

2. The Skirt:
Cut: Very wide and loose for freedom of movement, ankle-length.
• Worn under the shirt.

3. The Belt:
Type: Long fabric belt.
Length & Fit: Wide, long, wraps around the waist two or three times, tied at the front, with the ends hanging freely.
• It is worn on the long shirt.
 
General Description of Design 3 – From a Collection of 5 Traditional Somali Men’s Outfits

The name of this outfit is currently unknown. It may be beneficial to consult Somali linguists to either discover its traditional name or create a culturally appropriate one.
It is worn in daily life and on ordinary occasions, and it consists of two main components, with an optional third:

Thobe
Belt
Optional: a waist wrap worn over the skirt

1. The Thobe:
Length: Reaches the ankles.
Cut: Straight and long, gradually widening at the bottom for ease of movement, without buttons.
Collar: Round only (no folds or corners).
Sleeves: Long, comfortable, gradually narrowing toward the wrist.
Decoration:
Embroidered strips are added, chosen from the following patterns, either as a selected combination or all together, depending on preference:
• Embroidery strip surrounding the neckline.
• Two vertical embroidery strips from the neckline down to the hem on both the left and right front sides.
• Embroidery strip at the end of the sleeves.
• Embroidery strip at the hem of the thobe.

2. The Belt:
Type: Long fabric belt.
Length: Wide and long, wraps around the waist two or three times, tied at the front, with the ends hanging freely.

3. The Waist Wrap (Optional):
Use: Worn as an outer layer integrated with the belt, similar to a shawl or apron, covering the back of the thobe and part of the front without fully closing.
Cut: Covers the back of the thobe down to the knees, partially extending to the right and left sides at the front, leaving the front open. Length reaches approximately to the knees.
Aesthetic Function: Adds a decorative touch, enhances color or pattern coordination in the design, and provides elegance and a sense of dignity.
 
General Description of Design 4 – From a Collection of 7 Traditional Somali Men’s Outfits

The name of this outfit is currently unknown. It may be beneficial to consult Somali linguists to either discover its traditional name or create a culturally appropriate one.
It is worn in daily life and on ordinary occasions, and it consists of three main components:

Long Shirt
Tapered Fit Trousers
Fabric Belt (tied around the waist)

1. The Long Shirt:

Length: Reaches slightly below the knee.
Cut: Straight and long, gradually widening at the bottom for ease of movement, without buttons.
Collar: Round only (no folds or corners).
Sleeves: Long, comfortable, gradually narrowing toward the wrist.

2. The Trousers (Lower Pants):
Color: Different from the shirt but harmonizing with it.
Cut: Straight at the thighs and gradually narrowing toward the ankles (tapered fit).
Fit: Not too tight.
Length: Reaches just above the ankle.
Decoration: Plain, solid color, with no patterns.

3. The Belt:
Type: Long fabric belt.
Length: Wide and long, wraps around the waist two or three times, tied at the front, with the ends hanging freely.
• Worn over the long shirt.
 
General Description of Design 5 – From a Collection of 7 Traditional Somali Men’s Outfits

The name of this outfit is currently unknown. It may be beneficial to consult Somali linguists to either discover its traditional name or create a culturally appropriate one.

This is an outfit worn inside the home.

It consists of one main piece:
Thobe

1. The Thobe:

Length: Reaches the ankles.
Cut: Straight and long, gradually widening at the bottom for ease of movement, without buttons.
Collar: Round only (no folds or corners).
Sleeves: Short, reaching the elbow.
 
General Description of Design 6 – From a Collection of 7 Traditional Somali Men’s Outfits

The name of this outfit is currently unknown. It may be beneficial to consult Somali linguists to either discover its traditional name or create a culturally appropriate one.

It is worn inside the home.

It consists of two pieces:
Short-Sleeved Shirt
Ma’awis (made of thick fabric)

1. The Shirt:
Length: Reaches mid-hip.
Cut: Without buttons.
Sleeves: Short, reaching the elbow.
Collar: Round only (no folds or corners).

2. The Ma’awis:
Cut: Wide and loose for freedom of movement, ankle-length.
Fabric: Thick material.
 

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