It is recommended to enter iḥrām in two clean garments; if they are white, that is even better (1). One may, however, assume iḥrām in any lawful fabric—cotton, linen, wool, and the like.
The Sunnah is to don an izār (a lower wrap) and a ridāʾ (an upper cloak), whether they are stitched or unstitched; all the leading jurists agree on this point. Should he put on something else, his iḥrām is still valid so long as the garment itself is permissible to wear.
He may also begin iḥrām in white or in any other color that the Law allows, even if the cloth is dyed.
The preferable course is to start iḥrām wearing two sandals (2) if they are available. The sandal meant here is the type commonly called the tasūmah (3).
If he cannot find sandals, he may put on leather socks, and he is not required to cut them below the ankles; for the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—first ordered that they be cut (4), but later granted a concession concerning