Dressing the Part

As I mentioned before, it is getting hot here. Usually with warm weather comes cooler clothes, right? Yeah...not so much in Egypt. The fabrics, however, do change from heavy acrylic sweaters to lighter polyester tops and pants. As I browse the shops at the local mall (not City Stars), I can't help but wonder how do these lovely women do it. It is common to see women my age in full veil, gloved hands and all, during the middle of summer. I break out in a sweat just thinking about it.

The younger girls seem like they stick to the rule fashion over comfort (as in many cultures). The "IN" style right now to wear your hijab (or scarf) with a camel bump. kind of like the poofs girls in the States are wearing in their hair. Middle Eastern fashion is sometimes known as "Hijab Style" (see hijabstyle.blogspot.com for examples).

To achieve true "Hijab Style", you need to layer about 3 scarves on your head and secure them with top secret knots or pins that don't show. Next, add your long sleeve undershirt with your long over shirt and a long skirt or pant or maybe even a dress, stockings (so your ankles don't show), a fancy bag and the newest ballet flat or cute kitten heel and you are set to ride the micro buses all over the city.

Once in the home it is a different situation...off comes the layers and you are free to roam around with your tank top and spandex shorts. The exception to this is when the door bell rings, then on goes the layers or you could just throw on your house gallabaya (long night gown looking dress).

In my opinion, gallabayas, in the right material (and for a non breastfeeding mother), are the way to go. I had asked my friend if it would be a little strange if I, as a foreigner, went out in a gallabaya like most of the married Cairo women wear here. She replied in Arabic that it wouldn't be a little strange, it would be VERY strange. I didn't confess to her that I actually did this once because she had just told me this story of when another foreign woman went out in one and everyone laughed at her.

This leads me to a perplexing question. What should foreign woman, living in Cairo, wear during the summer? Now, I have to say that I have put together many "missing the mark" outfits during my time here (see images). The women here are way more stylish then these photos. Fashion aside, I have learned that the best thing to wear is cotton...loose, long, and flowing!

Since cotton skirts are a bit see through and wearing a slip is a bit hot, my great idea this summer is the wrap pant! I am going to have some cotton pants with a faux sarong built in (or maybe removable) in the same fabric made. I will let you know how it goes. They may end up on my "I missed the mark" outfit wall of fame. PS-I have been told that red, like the color I am wearing in one of the pictures, is the color that people who are about to be executed in Egypt wear.