Thobe and shemagh on camera: styling tips for men's shoots

Many Saudi brands, from fragrance to real estate and banking, look for male talent in traditional dress. Although most of us wear a thobe every day, appearing in one on camera takes extra care.

The thobe

• Choose a freshly pressed thobe; creases show clearly under the lights.
• Make sure the length is right and reaches the ankle.
• Bring at least two thobes in different colours, such as white and a winter shade.
• Check your buttons and cufflinks, as they show in close-ups.

Shemagh and ghutra

A shemagh pressed with a little starch keeps its shape all day. Practise more than one way of wearing it, such as the ‘cobra’ fold and the loose drape, because the photographer may ask for a different style depending on the campaign. And make sure the agal sits straight and balanced in every shot.

Carry small pins, a comb and a pocket mirror. Adjusting your shemagh between takes takes seconds, but it saves a lot of shots.

Accessories and grooming

Trim your beard a day or two before the shoot rather than that morning, to avoid redness. Ask in advance which accessories are needed, such as a watch, ring, prayer beads or a bisht, and never bring anything carrying a competing brand's logo.

A bisht is worn for occasions; it is not added to a picture just for decoration. Respecting what the dress means is part of a campaign's credibility. — menswear stylist

Finally, confidence is the most important thing you wear. Stand tall, relax your shoulders and let the thobe fall naturally instead of tugging at it all the time.