Souk Sharq City View

The same holds true for women’s clothing. Some Kuwaiti and other Arab women wear an abbayah, the long black robe that covers their clothing, and a headdress. Besides these cloaks, there are more colorful and elaborately embroidered robes (thobs). The transparent ones are worn over inner dresses, usually at formal occasions; by contrast there are simpler kaftans or dara’a donned casually at home.

Others wear clothing similar to Western styles but which is looser-fitting and longer in hem and sleeve length. Moreover, many women also wear the hijab, a head scarf which is available in many fashionable patterns and materials, usually silk or rayon.

Though Arab women generally dress modestly on the street, all sorts of dresses and fashions are available in the shops. Miniskirts, cocktail dresses, and shorts are also on sale, since at home or at a wedding party the ladies are apt to dress more comfortably.

Men and women will find beautifully tailored suits and dresses in the Salhiya and Zahra Complexes and Laila Galeria, to name but a few. A vast number of elegant Italian and French designers such as Luciano Soprano, Versace, Valentino, Isanti, Christian Dior, Chanel, and Gucci are household words in Kuwait. It is also possible to find high quality jeans, sports clothes, and casual clothes such as Lacoste, Wranglers, Guess, Lee, Docksides, and Timberland. Good places to go for sporty clothes are Al-Watya Complex and the shopping strip in Salmiya on Salem Al-Mubarak Street between the Zahra Complex and Laila Galeria.

Casual shoes, sports shoes, and dress shoes are on sale in all shopping areas and malls. Again, Italian labels are popular, with Laura Palazzi, Valerio, Valentino, Moschino, and Gucci being some of the most marketable brands. Many stores carry Adidas and other American and European sports shoes, and the young or young at heart like Dr. (“Doc”) Marten’s shoes and boots; prices start at about KD30. Comfortable Birkenstocks, with a full range of styles, are in the same price range.

Select leather goods come from Italy, France, America, and elsewhere. Handbags, briefcases, and wallets are good buys, and along with manicure sets, key rings, belts, shaving kits, and eyeglass cases, they make wonderful gifts to take back home. Samsonite, Mario Valentino, Nazreno Gabrielli, Lladro, and Jelen are some of the many superior brands. Other more moderately priced goods are also sold, some of quite good quality, from Turkey, India, and Asia.