How to Style a Palestinian Besht: A Complete Guide
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Learn how to wear and style a traditional Palestinian besht (cloak) for any occasion, from casual gatherings to formal celebrations.
What is a Besht?
A besht (also spelled bisht) is a traditional cloak worn over clothing in Palestinian and broader Middle Eastern culture. It's a loose, flowing outer garment that drapes elegantly over the shoulders and typically features beautiful embroidery or trim along the edges. The Palestinian besht has become a beloved women's fashion piece, often worn over thobes or modern dresses for special occasions.
When to Wear a Besht
A besht adds instant elegance to any outfit. Perfect occasions include weddings, engagement parties, graduation ceremonies, religious celebrations like Eid, Palestinian heritage festivals, dabke performances, cultural exhibitions, family reunions, dinner parties, and any time you want to feel special.
How to Style Your Besht
The most traditional way is layered over a Palestinian thobe. Choose complementing or contrasting colors for a bold statement. For a contemporary twist, wear over a simple black maxi dress, evening gown, or solid-colored midi dress. You can even dress it down over jeans and a nice blouse, palazzo pants, or a jumpsuit.
Color Guide: Burgundy/Gold beshts pair well with black, cream, white, or burgundy. Black/Gold is extremely versatile and works with any color. Black/Red goes with black, red, white, or cream. Purple/Gold looks great with black, purple, or cream.
Accessorizing: Less is more since the besht is the statement piece. Choose simple gold or silver earrings, a delicate necklace, and elegant flats or heels. For hijab, match to one of the besht colors using solid colors to let the besht shine.
Care Tips: Store properly by hanging or folding carefully. Spot clean stains immediately. Use dry cleaning only to preserve embroidery. Keep away from jewelry to avoid snagging, and air out after wearing before storing.
Wearing a besht connects you to Palestinian heritage. It's more than fashion - it's a statement of cultural pride and identity. Each besht from Palestinian Glow is handcrafted by artisans in Palestine, preserving traditional techniques passed down through generations.