The Confusion Ends Here: The Difference Between Jalaba/Jilabiya/Jebba/Jilbab/Caftan etc. A Dummies Guide

Nowadays, with the focus on the Middle East (not for the right reasons, unfortunately) and the growing popularity of Arabian dresses, it seems that people are often confusing the names of certain dress styles and (worse) are using them interchangeably.

Here is a simple dummies guide to what each dress style is called, it's region and the right purpose/occasion to wear it.

Caftan vs. Takchita

Region: Morocco/West Algeria
Occasion: Weddings/balls/parties etc; 

You may be surprised to find out that what is regularly referred to as a Caftan, in fact, isn't. 

The secret is all in the amount of layers it contains. The Caftan is a single garment worn to the floor with bottons or a similar pattern running down the middle. Whereas a Takchita, usually mistaken for a Caftan, is actually almost identical, except it is made of two garments; one worn on the inside with another, usually more elaborate, piece of garment worn on the top - both layers visible.

Here are some examples by the Moroccan royals:

Caftan:

As can be seen above, these beautiful Caftans are one piece of garment. The neck line is joint from both sides to form a solid V line, without another layer peeping through.

Takchita (pronounced tak-shee-ta, in English) 

Can you spot the difference yet? Notice how the Takchitas above have an inner garment that's worn underneath the elaborate outer garment.

Both styles look very similar mainly because of the cut and the fact that both have the traditional wide waste belt. However, upon closer inspection, and now that you know what's what, it's easy to spot the difference between the two, is it not? Voila.

Jalaba vs. Jalabiya

Names can be deceptive. Two very similar sounding dresses that look completely different. One is casual and comes from the Maghreb Al Arabi (Western Arabia) and the other is for special occasions and comes from the Khaleej countries (East).

Jalabiya

Region: GCC, Khaleej.
Occasion: When entertaining visitors, dinners etc;

This dress is perhaps what most people think of when they think of Arabian style dresses (probably why Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner where seen wearing them on their last trip to Dubai - see below) . It's been made popular especially because it ticks both the "elaborate" and "modest" boxes. Although it originates from the Khaleej countries, it can be found across Arabia on the backs of ladies hosting get-togethers , or attending them, that want to make a good impression.

Here are some examples:

Jalaba
Region: Algeria/Morocco
Occasion: Running errands, popping out to the souk, covering up in Ramadan.

Jalabas are popular in Algeria and Morocco. They're very casual and so, accordingly,  the fabric tends to be simple and, for the most part, plain. It tends to be much shorter than any other style dress as the cut usually comes to somewhere above the ankles to mid-way up the calf- with trousers or jeans worn underneath. Jalabas come out in full-force during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan where women, venturing out to shop for bread and spices, need something quick and modest to pop on. 

Here are some examples:

Jebba

Region: Originates largely from Algeria, with Morocoo, Tunisia and other regions adapting it. Khaleej have their own variant (see below) 
Occasion: Worn at home, mostly to do house-work in. Prettier designs worn to welcome guests.

When you're sleeping and your grandmother wakes you up at 7am because she says it's late, you've over slept and the house won't clean itself(!), she expects you to put on a Jebaa and get on with it- flashbacks! Agh!  

Here are some examples:

Jebbas are amazing because they're very light, comfortable and modest. In Algeria, girls/women tuck the Jebba into the sides of your knickers/panties so that the bottom doesn't get wet with all of that mopping and washing!

There are Jebbas which are designed not to be worn during housework, but rather to entertain your guests. These Jebbas would be worn if, say, you've cooked lunch for your friends and don't want to greet them with the smell of Cous Cous that's lingering on your housework-Jebba. 

See below:

Khaleeji Jebba

Traditionally, Khaleeji ladies (the older generations) wear a Jebba-like dress at home or under their Abayas. Although the design differs, from that of the Maghreb, you can still see old ladies wearing these under the Abayas in public.

Khaleeji Jebbas tend to be long sleeved, as apposed to short-sleeved Algerian/Maghrebi ones. Also the pattern differs greatly; Algerian/Maghrebi Jebbas consist of one block colour along with embroidery down the middle (most of the time), whereas Kahleeji Jebbas tend to be floral print.

Abayas & Jilbabs: Traditional vs. Modern

Origin: Old Arabia, GCC, Khaleej. Worn by Muslims at large.

Occasion: A daily dress to be worn when outside for modesty.

The Abaya is a very common dress. It can be found anywhere from it's original homeland in the GCC and Middle East to the streets of Berlin. That's because there are two variants of this black dress. One can be described as being religious, and thus worn by Muslims across the world,  and the other is a modern take on this traditional garment.

Traditional Abaya 

This tends to be the garment of choice for many who wear the Abaya strictly for religious reasons. They wear it in it's simple form minus the bling and colour. 

Jilbab

The Jilbab is a religious garment. Like above, it is simple, plain, and more often than not, black or a dark, non-eye catching, colour. 

The Jilbab is similar to the plain Abaya. The difference is that the scarf that covers the head is extremely long and also covers the shoulders. 

Modern Abaya

The Abaya now a days has been transformed. A black Abaya to a Middle Eastern designer is what a white canvas is to an artist. There are endless Abaya designs. Each keeping the integrity of the modest garment but adding a bit of identity and styling to this traditional dress, making it an extremely elegant and classy gown within it's own right. 

Hijab & Niqab.

Region: Worn globally by Muslims.
Occasion: When in the company of men that are non-mahrams.

 Both of these garments are used to cover part of the head.

Hijab

The Hijab (also known as khimaar) is a veil that is placed on the head to cover the hair.

Niqab

The Niqab is a face-veil that covers everything but the eyes (although some do cover their eyes- this form is also known as the Sitaar).


So there you have it. A breakdown of the different Arabian/ Muslim dresses. 
Lesson to be taken away: they may sound the same but they're different. They may be different but they're all similar. 


*Images have been taken from the world wide web and I claim no ownership of them