what to wear in Saudi?
Apr 14th 2009, 5:36 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
what to wear in Saudi?
Hi,
This may be a silly question for most of you, but i am about to throw a lot of clothes out as we choose what goodies are being shipped across to Jeddah and what's going to charity!
I have three questions -
1) I understand the need for a burka, but am I expected to wear all black (head to toe) underneath the burka?
2) What is the norm living in a compound? Clothes wise, what WON'T I need and what would be most appropriate?
3) When we go to the beach, can I strip down to my bikini, or do I need to be very conservative?
This may be a silly question for most of you, but i am about to throw a lot of clothes out as we choose what goodies are being shipped across to Jeddah and what's going to charity!
I have three questions -
1) I understand the need for a burka, but am I expected to wear all black (head to toe) underneath the burka?
2) What is the norm living in a compound? Clothes wise, what WON'T I need and what would be most appropriate?
3) When we go to the beach, can I strip down to my bikini, or do I need to be very conservative?
Apr 14th 2009, 5:41 pm
#2
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Hi,
This may be a silly question for most of you, but i am about to throw a lot of clothes out as we choose what goodies are being shipped across to Jeddah and what's going to charity!
I have three questions -
1) I understand the need for a burka, but am I expected to wear all black (head to toe) underneath the burka?
2) What is the norm living in a compound? Clothes wise, what WON'T I need and what would be most appropriate?
3) When we go to the beach, can I strip down to my bikini, or do I need to be very conservative?
This may be a silly question for most of you, but i am about to throw a lot of clothes out as we choose what goodies are being shipped across to Jeddah and what's going to charity!
I have three questions -
1) I understand the need for a burka, but am I expected to wear all black (head to toe) underneath the burka?
2) What is the norm living in a compound? Clothes wise, what WON'T I need and what would be most appropriate?
3) When we go to the beach, can I strip down to my bikini, or do I need to be very conservative?
Burka? No, it's an abaya (tighter fitting and black). In Jeddah you don't need to cover your hair (although many do), and you certainly don't cover your face. Underneath? Many women (including Saudis) wear very little - it's warm out there, you see.........
Compound? Wear as little as you like. M'lud, I wish to introduce the Czech nurses that lived on Najd circa 2001-2 as evidence.......... and that was in ultra-conservative Riyadh. (Oh Marie, where, o where, did you go??)
Beaches? Not sure how it is these days but there are/were 'beach clubs' and some of the hotels have their own access to beaches.
Any help?
Last edited by The Dean; Apr 14th 2009 at 5:42 pm. Reason: o
Apr 14th 2009, 5:45 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Location: Riyadh
Posts: 30
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Hiya,
You can wear whatever you want (or not!), under your abaya. Everyone wears regualar clothes under them. It's funny that all the shops are chocka with skirts, casual tops and dresses - so many are done up the the nines underneath.
With reagrds to the compound, it's very relaxed and you can wear whatever you want inside them, and swimming trunks / bikinis at the pool.
The beach...... someone else will have to help you there as I'm stuck in the middle of a big bloody desert in Riyadh!!!
All the best,
Mark
You can wear whatever you want (or not!), under your abaya. Everyone wears regualar clothes under them. It's funny that all the shops are chocka with skirts, casual tops and dresses - so many are done up the the nines underneath.
With reagrds to the compound, it's very relaxed and you can wear whatever you want inside them, and swimming trunks / bikinis at the pool.
The beach...... someone else will have to help you there as I'm stuck in the middle of a big bloody desert in Riyadh!!!
All the best,
Mark
Apr 14th 2009, 7:47 pm
#4
Not an evil hypnotist
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,975
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
The local women wear headscarves with their abayas. You won't.
Therefore, you'll find a triangle of flesh exposed underneath your neck. You'll almost certainly want to wear something underneath your abaya with a high neckline, to avoid flashing this triangle of flesh to all and sundry.
Therefore, you'll find a triangle of flesh exposed underneath your neck. You'll almost certainly want to wear something underneath your abaya with a high neckline, to avoid flashing this triangle of flesh to all and sundry.
Apr 14th 2009, 7:55 pm
#5
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Doha, Qatar
Posts: 2,675
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Hi,
This may be a silly question for most of you, but i am about to throw a lot of clothes out as we choose what goodies are being shipped across to Jeddah and what's going to charity!
I have three questions -
1) I understand the need for a burka, but am I expected to wear all black (head to toe) underneath the burka?
2) What is the norm living in a compound? Clothes wise, what WON'T I need and what would be most appropriate?
3) When we go to the beach, can I strip down to my bikini, or do I need to be very conservative?
This may be a silly question for most of you, but i am about to throw a lot of clothes out as we choose what goodies are being shipped across to Jeddah and what's going to charity!
I have three questions -
1) I understand the need for a burka, but am I expected to wear all black (head to toe) underneath the burka?
2) What is the norm living in a compound? Clothes wise, what WON'T I need and what would be most appropriate?
3) When we go to the beach, can I strip down to my bikini, or do I need to be very conservative?
Apr 14th 2009, 8:28 pm
#6
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Silly questions? Quite probably but here goes.........
Burka? No, it's an abaya (tighter fitting and black). In Jeddah you don't need to cover your hair (although many do), and you certainly don't cover your face. Underneath? Many women (including Saudis) wear very little - it's warm out there, you see.........
Compound? Wear as little as you like. M'lud, I wish to introduce the Czech nurses that lived on Najd circa 2001-2 as evidence.......... and that was in ultra-conservative Riyadh. (Oh Marie, where, o where, did you go??)
Beaches? Not sure how it is these days but there are/were 'beach clubs' and some of the hotels have their own access to beaches.
Any help?
Burka? No, it's an abaya (tighter fitting and black). In Jeddah you don't need to cover your hair (although many do), and you certainly don't cover your face. Underneath? Many women (including Saudis) wear very little - it's warm out there, you see.........
Compound? Wear as little as you like. M'lud, I wish to introduce the Czech nurses that lived on Najd circa 2001-2 as evidence.......... and that was in ultra-conservative Riyadh. (Oh Marie, where, o where, did you go??)
Beaches? Not sure how it is these days but there are/were 'beach clubs' and some of the hotels have their own access to beaches.
Any help?
Apr 14th 2009, 8:33 pm
#7
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Hiya,
You can wear whatever you want (or not!), under your abaya. Everyone wears regualar clothes under them. It's funny that all the shops are chocka with skirts, casual tops and dresses - so many are done up the the nines underneath.
With reagrds to the compound, it's very relaxed and you can wear whatever you want inside them, and swimming trunks / bikinis at the pool.
The beach...... someone else will have to help you there as I'm stuck in the middle of a big bloody desert in Riyadh!!!
All the best,
Mark
You can wear whatever you want (or not!), under your abaya. Everyone wears regualar clothes under them. It's funny that all the shops are chocka with skirts, casual tops and dresses - so many are done up the the nines underneath.
With reagrds to the compound, it's very relaxed and you can wear whatever you want inside them, and swimming trunks / bikinis at the pool.
The beach...... someone else will have to help you there as I'm stuck in the middle of a big bloody desert in Riyadh!!!
All the best,
Mark
Apr 15th 2009, 4:11 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Location: Dubai
Posts: 85
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
I sewed up the front of my abaya so I could wear little or nothing underneath and not worry about it blowing open.
I never covered my hair or face although during Ramadan 2 of my friends got hassle and found it easier to do so.
On the compound anything goes.
On public beaches you have to wear your abaya - yes even to swim in.
But if there is a beach within the compound you can wear swimwear.
If you are staying in a hotel you will not be able to swim in the pool - men and children only.
I never covered my hair or face although during Ramadan 2 of my friends got hassle and found it easier to do so.
On the compound anything goes.
On public beaches you have to wear your abaya - yes even to swim in.
But if there is a beach within the compound you can wear swimwear.If you are staying in a hotel you will not be able to swim in the pool - men and children only.
Apr 15th 2009, 7:39 am
#11
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Don't even think about it......... or her..............
Cute little thing, redhead, sort of Kylie-size-and-shape...........
.......... tiny little red bikini................. the top bit of which was about half a size too small........... excuse me, now I have to go to the bathroom........
........ I'll only be a few seconds..........
Cute little thing, redhead, sort of Kylie-size-and-shape...........
.......... tiny little red bikini................. the top bit of which was about half a size too small........... excuse me, now I have to go to the bathroom........
........ I'll only be a few seconds..........
Apr 15th 2009, 8:46 am
#12
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 872
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
Don't even think about it......... or her..............
Cute little thing, redhead, sort of Kylie-size-and-shape...........
.......... tiny little red bikini................. the top bit of which was about half a size too small........... excuse me, now I have to go to the bathroom........
........ I'll only be a few seconds..........
Cute little thing, redhead, sort of Kylie-size-and-shape...........
.......... tiny little red bikini................. the top bit of which was about half a size too small........... excuse me, now I have to go to the bathroom........
........ I'll only be a few seconds..........
bloody hell, the magic kingdom, hey!
Apr 15th 2009, 11:14 am
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 13,553
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
No!! Please, no!!! I hate you...............
Apr 15th 2009, 11:19 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posts: 930
Re: what to wear in Saudi?
A big black bin liner with holes in it at the top should do the job nicely.
Out of interest how much extra money is there to be earned in Saudi? It sounds like a living hell.....
Out of interest how much extra money is there to be earned in Saudi? It sounds like a living hell.....