Thobe

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A man wearing thobe (white gown) under a bisht (black overcoat worn over the thobe)

A thobe (correctly thawb, Arabic ثوب) is an ankle-length garment, usually with long sleeves, similar to a robe. Most often, they are worn by men in the Arabian Peninsula and several surrounding countries. They are normally made of cotton, but heavier materials such as sheep's wool can be used as well, especially in colder climates. In some locations, they are also known as dishdasha.

There has been some debate regarding the correct length of the thobe. The length should be somewhat shorter than ankle level to remain free of Nagâssah (impurity), otherwise it is disqualified for prayer.

The style of the thobe varies slightly among the various regions within the Gulf.

The term thobe is also used to refer to a very long, oversized woman's garment with a heavily embroidered front panel and billowing back, also known as a Khaleeji dress. These dresses are most commonly seen in the West being worn for performance of the Saudi women's social dancing style, in which manipulation of the large thobe is a key component.