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

Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

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.
 
Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

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.
 
Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

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.
 
Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

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.
 
Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

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.
 
Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

General Description of Design 7 – From a Collection of 7 Traditional Somali Men’s Outfits

The name of this outfit is currently unknown. We may consult Somali linguists to discover its traditional name or create a new one. This is a luxurious outfit worn on wedding occasions. It consists of four main components:

• Short shirt
• Skirt
• Long fabric belt tied around the waist
• Sheer coat

1. The Shirt:
• Length: Reaches mid-hip and is tucked into the skirt so that the edges do not show.
• Style: Without buttons.
• Sleeves: Long, comfortable, gradually narrowing toward the wrist.
• Collar: Round only (without folds or pointed tips).

2. The Skirt:
• Cut: Wide and loose for freedom of movement, reaching down to the ankles.

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 left to hang freely.
• Worn Over: The skirt.

4. The Sheer Coat:
• Fabric: Lightweight sheer fabric with elegant drape.
• Collar: Shawl collar.
• Length: Reaches the ankles.
• Cut: Fully open at the front, without buttons.
• Sleeves: Long, comfortable, gradually narrowing toward the wrist.
 
Cali Maxamed

Cali Maxamed

The Somali Women’s and Men’s Outfits collection is now officially complete—at last!

As I’ve mentioned before, you have full freedom to use these designs for both personal and commercial purposes.

We have finally filled a huge gap in Somali cultural identity: our fashion. Traditional nomad attire belongs in museums, not in everyday life or cultural events. We are urban now, no longer nomads.

And congratulations to everyone planning a wedding soon! You now have a stunning, elegant outfit for both women and men. So, gentlemen, I hope I won’t see you wearing Arab-style clothing anymore.

I want to say this clearly: your cultural identity through fashion now stands proudly equal alongside Arabs, Europeans, Chinese, and Indians — and is just as rich and unique.

And I want to add that the Somali Style team will be putting the finishing touches on these outfits—carefully selecting colors, patterns, and intricate embellishments. We’ll also be designing matching accessories to complete the look.

If you’d like to collaborate or need our help, you’re more than welcome to join us.

Feel free to contact us on Instagram to get in touch or learn more.
 
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