Qatari women wear the Abaya, a black, long, loose robe-like over-garment. Three of my work colleagues wear it. In addition they wrap a long black headscarf around their heads and over the shoulder. It’s the traditional attire of most Qatari women.

The black material is often subtly patterned or had added embroidery to embellish what is essentially monochrome. They look extremely elegant, but underneath they wear jeans, leggings and blouses.

Whereas most detergents claim to wash whiter, the supermarket shelves include this product intended to keep black, black.