Imtiaz Ahmed - Head of Tailoring Team
Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed is working as a head of tailoring department at Shabab Al Yola. Over nearly two decades, he has worked with local clients across the Gulf and international customers who expect Gulf-standard tailoring delivered to their door. His hands-on experience covers every major regional style, including Emirati, Saudi, Qatari, Kuwaiti, and Omani cuts, along with the fine details that separate a well-made thobe from a great one. At Shahbab Al Yola, Imtiaz personally oversees the construction of every regional silhouette the brand produces. He knows Gulf garment-making inside out and brings that knowledge into every piece the brand produces.
A Saudi thobe is one of the most recognized pieces of clothing from the Kingdom. In this article, I will break down minor to major details about the Saudi Thobe including the collar, fabric, price, and care. Read through before you buy one or place a custom order.
A Saudi thobe is a long ankle length robe with a banded collar and open sleeves worn by men in Saudi Arabia. It covers the body from the shoulders down to the ankles and works as both daily wear and formal attire. Men usually pair it with a head covering and a few other accessories to complete the look.
The design carries deep roots in the culture and climate of the region. Read our full guide on the history of thobe to see how it developed over time.
Thobes from other Gulf countries share some similarities with the Saudi thobe but differ in collar shape, fit, and small design details. Our blog on thobe styles from different regions covers these differences in detail.
A Saudi thobe has four main style elements. Each one makes it different from other thobe styles around the world.
The most common collar on a Saudi thobe is the banded collar. This is a stand up collar that closes at the front. The banded collar stays the most traditional and widely used choice. Most banded collars close with one or two buttons. On some styles these buttons stay visible. On others they are hidden inside the collar.
Saudi thobes usually come with open sleeves. An open sleeve has no separate cuff piece. Instead of classic cuffs, this thobe has open rounded cuffs with a row of stitching about 2.5 to 3 inches wide close to the wrist.
The placket is the strip of fabric that runs down the front of the thobe, between the chest and holds the buttons. A traditional Saudi thobe has a classic placket with buttons that are visible on the front.
The fit of a Saudi thobe comes down to personal preference. Some men like a loose fit. Others prefer a tight or slim fit. A body fit style, which sits close to the frame without feeling tight is the most common choice among Saudi men.
A Saudi thobe can be customized in several ways to match personal taste.
Saudi thobes come in a few fabric textures.
Along with the banded collar, buyers can pick a French collar or a short shirt style collar. A collarless v neck style is also preferred by some men for a different look.
Most Saudi thobes come with open sleeves and no cuff. Buyers who want a dressier look can pick French cuffs or a square cuff with one or two buttons. Both styles pair well with cufflinks.
The front placket comes in three customized styles.
Fabric is evaluated by it's GSM value. GSM stands for grams per square meter. It measures how heavy or light a fabric feels. A lower GSM means a lighter fabric. A higher GSM means a heavier fabric.
For Summer thobes, commonly used fabrics are Semeramis Korea, Semeramis Japanese, Japanese cotton, linen, cotton silk blend, spun polyester, and polyester blends. These fabrics have a GSM value between 108 and 149, which keeps the thobe light and breathable in hot weather.
Wool is the most preferred fabric for winter thobes. The most used types are Australian wool, British wool, Chinese wool, and Indian wool. Australian and British wool count as premium options. Their GSM falls between 100 and 280, which makes them warm without feeling heavy. Chinese and Indian wool sit in the mid range. Their GSM falls between 150 and 320, which makes them heavier and warmer.
An adult Saudi thobe typically needs 3.5 meters of fabric. For kids thobe, only 2.5 meters of fabric is required. The exact amount can shift a little based on height and body size. Check our guide on how to measure yourself at home before you place a custom order.
Saudi men do not wear the same thobe all year.
This seasonal swap in fabric weight and color keeps the thobe comfortable through the year.
White remains the most popular color for a Saudi thobe, along with its close variant milky white. Other popular shades include the following.
A Saudi thobe rarely stands alone. Men usually pair it with a few accessories that round out the traditional look.
If you are confused about the difference between Shemagh and Ghutra, or you want to know about the shoes worn with different thobe styles, you can read our detailed articles on these topics.
A custom Saudi thobe usually takes between 24 and 48 hours to stitch. The exact time depends on the customization options a customer picks, such as the placket style or collar type. A thobe with simple details comes together faster. A thobe with added customization can take closer to the full 48 hour window.
A Saudi thobe stays in good shape with a little regular care.
Also Read: How to wash a thobe without damaging it
Prices for a Saudi thobe cover a wide range. A basic thobe can cost as little as $16. A premium piece can reach up to $1800, mainly based on the fabric used.
A well made and decent Saudi thobe usually falls between $50 and $90. Within this range, buyers can expect strong stitching at 16 SPI along with top grade fabric such as Japanese cotton or Semeramis.
A higher SPI usually points to finer and stronger stitching. SPI stands for stitches per inch. It counts how many stitches are there in one inch of fabric.
A few factors help you land on the right Saudi thobe. Think about the season first. Pick a light fabric with a lower GSM for summer and a heavier fabric like wool for winter.
Think about the occasion next. A simple silk-cotton Saudi thobe works best for daily wear. A finer fabric with added customization suits weddings, Eid, or formal events.
Decide between made to order and ready made. A made to order thobe lets you pick the collar, cuffs, placket, and fabric to match your exact size and taste. A ready made thobe saves time and works well if you already know your size.
For ordering an authentic thobe you can visit our Saudi thobe collection. Pick your favourite one, and forget about everything. We will handle it for you.
