Today’s post is about Aremite male fashion, as well as a little about Aremite fashion in general.
As I’ve created each of these races, I’ve tried to think of a few keywords that I can use to describe them. I then base their designs and cultures around these keywords. Some of the words I use for Aremite dress are “open,” “flowing,” and “loose.”
Bear in mind that these concepts are not necessarily set in stone! These designs have been refined after a few drafts, but I still might change things as I go. For now, here’s the skinny about Aremite guys’ clothing!
Open and Loose
I think it’s pretty clear that I’m drawing some inspiration from classic Arabian-style costume. I’m also taking a few cues from east Asian traditional clothing.
Most Aremite men wear open shirts, jackets, and/or vests. Sometimes they wear layered sleeves of different colors. This openness is a reflection of Aremite cultural and aesthetic values. Aremshah culture enjoys open spaces, so open shirts and shirtlessness are perceived less as “showing off.” They are better understood as a reflection of their cultural emphasis on space. As men grow older, they tend toward more closed, but still loose tops.
The choice between shirt, jacket, vest, none, or several of the above is mostly a personal one. Aremite culture makes little distinction between these styles. The number of sleeve layers is also a personal choice, though more sleeves are typically associated with more wealth and means. For example, the second man in the above lineup would likely be thought of as less wealthy than either of the two men next to him. It is not so much a stigma as an unspoken and, in many cases, unconscious understanding. Going completely topless is an exception to the rule. Many men, especially athletes or those in heavily physical 
professions, forgo shirts entirely, but stand outside the “sleeve hierarchy.”
You may have noticed that they all wear very long, loose pants. Most Aremite men wear their pants past their ankles, sometimes even trailing on the floor.
Most clothing is made from lightweight materials like linens or cottons. Higher-class Aremites occasionally wear silklike fabric. However, most Aremites, even in the noble and royal castes, prefer lighter clothing.
The Sash
One other commonality you might have noticed throughout the designs is the waist sash. The sash is the hallmark of male Aremite clothing, and no man goes without it. In the next blog post, you’ll see Aremite women treat scarves much the same way.
For most men, the sash serves a function similar to a modern-day necktie. They are decorations common to all men, and come in all different colors and patterns. Many sashes also have strings of glass beads or glass pendants that dangle from their waists.
The number of sashes is significant. Commoners wear only one sash. Royalty, nobility, and people in official offices wear two. One sash is strictly for decoration. The other sash, which usually hangs in front of the right leg, is colored according to the man’s family or office colors. Most Aremite nobles can recognize each other’s family or house based on sash color and design. Aremites of all social classes can recognize the sashes of office (light blue for religious officials, for example).
Men wear sashes of any color except white. White sashes (and any sashes that contain pure white) are reserved specifically for the royal family. It is considered a felony offense and a heresy for a non-royal Aremite of any social class to wear a white sash.
The Necklace (Not Pictured)
This is something I was thinking about adding the whole time I worked on coloring these guys, and promptly forgot once I finished. Go me.
Aremite men have one more detail in common. They all wear beaded leather necklaces.
Glassblowing, glass-sculpting, and other forms of glasswork are a popular and prestigious art in Aremshah. Cities are full of beaderies and jeweleries that sell all different kinds of glass jewelry.
Most men’s necklaces are simple leather thongs with a few large beads dangling from them. In contrast to their shirts, the necklaces are not very loose, designed to rest comfortably at the base of the neck. A modern day “surfer necklace” is similar to the style of Aremite men’s necklaces.
Colors
Aremites like a variety of colors. Some prefer jewel tones while others enjoy brighter colors. Aremites rarely wear browns, blacks, or heavily desaturated colors. Browns are not unheard of, especially utilitarian browns and tans, but are rare in comparison to brighter colors. The less bright colors, and colors not found on the rainbow, are usually worn only on pants.
Sash colors, as mentioned, are usually used to identify a man’s lineage or office. Color symbolism is less important on the rest of a man’s clothing. Many men have enough visual aesthetic sense to wear colors that go well together, but as with any culture there are some that stand out as garish, gaudy, or clashing.
Gallery
Closing
I hope you enjoyed this look into Aremite male fashion styles! In the next blog post I will feature women’s clothing styles. Meanwhile, I would love to hear which of the characters in those designs is your favorite!