Lawrence Of Arabia Costume

The Lawrence of Arabia costume is not really from the time of Aladdin (Golden Age of Islam) or even an Aladdin costume as such but obviously it has an Arabian theme.

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This costume is based on the type of outfit that Lawrence wore in the acclaimed film of the man’s life and times. And that costume is based on the outfit he actually wore during his time in the Middle East during the first World War. It is quite a striking costume and would certainly look great at a Halloween party or similar occasion.

The Lawrence of Arabia costume consists of a long white robe or tunic. It completely covers the body from the neck down to the ankles. It is also long sleeved. This is based on a traditional Bedouin tunic that needed to completely cover the body to prevent sunburn and also against sandstorms and other ravages of the desert. Bedouins were nomadic people and were constantly traveling across the desert so this type of gear was a must.

The costume also has a headpiece, also in white, that is meant to be a Keffiyeh or traditional Arab headgear. This is a square piece of cloth that is worn on the head and can be folded down and around the face. Again this is needed to keep exposure to the sun and sand down to a minimum. The Keffiyeh is secured to the head using an Agal. An Agal is simply a band of cord or rope the fits over the head  to just above the ears but over the Keffiyeh.

The Agal also has ceremonial aspects to it. Depending on the markings of the Agal a persons status within the tribe or state is known. So a tribe leader would have a very ornate Agal. A young man would have a plain black colored Agal. In the costume featured here, there is a type of headband but it is not really a proper Agal.

The costume also has a thick gold colored belt to give the tunic a bit of shape and to give the costume a bit more character.

T.E.Lawrence is probably the most well known westerner to live and work with the Bedouins but there is much debate, especially in the Arab world, about the extent to which he was the catalyst for their success in defeating the Turks during WW1. They also felt that he betrayed their trust when Palestine was divided up at the treaty of Versailles.

Despite all this, he is inextricably linked with Arabic cultures and traditions in Western eyes thanks to his book, The 7 Pillars Of Wisdom and the film that was made about his life that won many Oscars. So go as Lawrence Effendi this Halloween and really look the part.

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