If you have purchased an Emirati thawb (kandura) and found a silky cord hanging from the chest that simply clips or loops off, this is the tarboush. Its detachability is more deliberate than it looks. So, why do some Emirati thobes have a detachable tarboush? What difference does removing it actually make?
The answer sits at the junction of deep-rooted heritage and a practical design shift that changes how versatile your thawb can be across various occasions and settings.
What is an Emirati Thobe Tassel?
The tarboush is a long, handcrafted cord tassel. It is attached at the neckline of an Emirati kandura. Traditionally, it is designed to fall below the chest.
The tarboush is the most defining feature of the kandura because it sets the Emirati thawb version apart from Saudi, Omani, and Bahraini styles.
Traditionally, men apply oud or attar oil directly to the tassel. This is a subtle yet royal move to carry a lasting fragrance throughout the day without staining the fabric. More than just decoration, the tarboush signals formality. It carries genuine cultural identity in every thread.
Do All Emirati Kanduras Have Tassels?
Not always. Some Emirati designs omit the tassel entirely. They favour a clean, minimal neckline for casual or contemporary everyday settings.
But, why do some Emirati thobes have a detachable tarboush when others come without one at all? It largely comes down to your intentional wearing of a thawb.
For instance, wear a clean, tassel-free kandura paired with a classic white red shemagh Yemeni scarf to create an effortlessly relaxed traditional look without formal weight. Over time, the tarboush has evolved from a compulsion into a voluntary signal of dressing up. So, it is present when the occasion calls for it, and absent when it doesn't.
Why Do Some Emirati Thobes Have a Detachable Tarboush?
The core answer is versatility.
Traditional kanduras had fixed tassels, locking every setting into the same level of formality. Detachable designs emerged to give wearers real, practical control: attach the tarboush for Eid, weddings, and Friday prayers; remove it entirely for daily errands or a casual, understated look. There's also a meaningful care advantage — a detachable tarboush can be re-fragranced with oud oil, gently washed, or replaced independently without ever handling the tobe itself, preserving both the garment and the tassel in the best possible condition.
Are All Types of Tarboush Detachable?
Not historically. Traditional, handcrafted Emirati thawbs often feature a fixed tarboush sewn directly into the seam — considered the more authentic construction, aligned with the original kandura format. However, the majority of modern ready-to-wear Emirati tobes have now shifted to detachable versions to meet the real-life demands of wearers who dress across several occasions in a single week. Compare this to a winter djelleba, which carries no tassel at all and relies on its hood as the signature traditional feature — a completely different approach to occasion dressing. Each garment solves the problem in its own way. Why do some Emirati thobes have a detachable tarboush? Because the kandura has evolved thoughtfully, without losing its roots.
The Bottom Line
Why do some Emirati thobes have a detachable tarboush? Because a well-made thawb must carry you through a full week — formal prayers, celebratory gatherings, and everyday moments — without demanding a separate piece for each. Al-Haq Thobes Emirati Zibda collection is built precisely with this in mind: lightweight breathable fabric, intricate embroidery, and a detachable tarboush designed for genuine versatility. Clip it on for occasions. Take it off for everyday. Either way, you're wearing it right.