Şal û Şepik

Şal û Şepik is the most iconic Kurdish men's dress, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan. The şepik is the long-sleeved jacket-like top; the şal is the wide trouser, gathered at the ankle. Both are made of locally woven wool — known as cox — in greys, navy or beige. The waist is wrapped with a long sash of coloured cloth — the benbe — wound several times, in which the traditional dagger and tobacco were kept. A short-sleeved waistcoat, the selte, embroidered with silver thread, is worn over it. This is the dress Kurdish politicians wear on official occasions and sheikhs at feasts: it is a sign of national pride.