From Amman. Today, I learned about (and got to model) traditional Jordanian and Palestinian clothing!

An expert in traditional Arab dress, Widad’s personal collection of priceless antique clothing and accessories is magnificent. The first piece, a large dress, she shared with us was so large it had to be mounted on a wall! From the Jordanian region of Salt, this dresses allowed women to hide precious belongings in their folds from tax collectors during the Ottoman Era.

Widad had me try on a stunning dress from Ma’an. Made from bright orange and purple silk, it was designed to show off its bold colors when a women danced or twirled in it. There was also a jacket that was designed to be worn on the head. When I put it on, I didn’t look nearly as odd as you might imagine; it looked just like a hood.

My favorite item from Widad’s collection was a Palesinian headdress. I felt like a princess from the moment I put it on. It’s a traditional wedding present from the groom to his bride, adorned with real gold coins. What an amazing wedding gift! I definitely indulged my girly side while modeling this piece for everyone.

Before we left, the boys joined in the fun, as Widad’s collection includes some traditional men’s clothing. Adam and Ben tried on Ottoman Era silk robs with an accompanying hats. Looks like I’m not the only one who like to play dress up!

Next, head to the desert.

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