The Middle East might not be the first place you think of when you hear the word denim, but it’s presence is definitely there. Those that want to keep true to their culture still can, as fashion lover Homai Sagar explains how the fashion forward “prefer to wear clothes with an influence of the west.” Designers are hoping that the introduction of embellishments, pockets, zippers and pleats in denim garments such as saris and jilbabs will make traditional wear appealing to their younger clientele as a new trendy, stylish and practical option. Others who have more freedom when deciding what to wear, dress more Westernized, but still rep their culture by pairing denim with items such as head scarves, tunics, and yarmulkes. Womens’ attire in the Middle East may be a topic of controversy, but when talking denim, the desire is as universal as ever.