The Middle East is a region coloured with immense historical importance, tradition, and culture. Knowledge of these dressing etiquette rules is essential for anyone planning to visit or probably stay in the region. In this blog, you will find information on dressing etiquette in Middle Eastern countries, the why behind these rules, and advice on what to wear for tourists.
Middle Eastern company dress codes for men and women
Reasons as to why dressing is restricted in the Middle East include; religion, tradition, and climate. Religion, especially Islam, greatly impacts the dress codes in most Arab countries. Puritanism is one of the values sacred to every Muslim, and the freedom of the thighs and other parts of the body contrasts with this rule. But it is crucial to remember here that this is the Middle East, and though it is rather a conservative region, the level of conservativeness may vary from country to country.
In general, it is possible to mention that such concepts as men’s and women’s decency are still valued. For women, this translates to covering the arms, the breasts, and the thighs. In some of the cultures it is also associated with the idea of having to cover the head. When it comes to men, humility or demureness solely entails full bodied dressing that will not show off much skin or show off the contours of the body in a suggestive way.
Peculiarities of Specific Countries of the Middle East in Terms of Dress Code
United Arab Emirates (UAE)
The UAE is less conservative in comparison with Saudi Arabia or other countries in the region, and it is noticeable in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Nevertheless, there are rules left which are still enforced – the rules of modesty, at least. The women are encouraged to avoid dressing indecently, especially in areas that may be popular with men. It is appropriate to wear a swimsuit at the beach or while swimming but wearing provocative outfits is not allowed in places such as malls, restaurants, and other business places.
Guys in the UAE wear a kandura, a long white garment similar to the Saudi Arabian thobe. Modesty is also expected, and despite the fact that most people adopt Western-style dressing, men should not wear shorts except when at the beach.
Iran
Iran has certain of the most stringent restrictions on dress codes in the Middle East with regard to Islamic rules. Girls and women are expected to wear the hijab on the head and garment that conceals the whole body, arms included. The manteau is a long coat, or tunic, which is usually worn over the clothes to cover more areas of the body specifically to avoid revealing any part of the body. The good thing is you can explore all of this too, along with Umrah if you are a Muslim. All you need to do is find a good travel agency and get Umrah packages according to your desired places.
The dressing code also applies to men, and Iranian men are particularly required to avoid wearing revealing or sexed-up clothes. T-shirts are permissible, but swim trunks are not allowed. It is equally important for men not to adopt tight or exposing dress codes, especially when in public domains.
Qatar
Qatar’s dress code is similar to that of the UAE above: Women should not wear revealing clothing or any kind of outfit that exposes the belly or upper chest; the knees should also be covered. The abaya, while optional, is frequently used by Qatari women. Female visitors should wear long skirts or pants and minimal cleavage, while males should wear long sleeves to avoid exposing their arms to the ladies.
For the male, the thobe or kandura is worn; it is a long white gown that covers the body. Although modern clothing including Western-style clothing is worn, some level of dressing, especially for the ladies, is strictly adhered to. If worn in appropriate settings, they are okay, but in most professional environments, men are better off avoiding them.
Kuwait
Kuwait is another of the Gulf countries that has a moderate dress code. The knees and shoulders should be covered, and while the abaya is not mandatory, it is recommended. Like most Arab women, Kuwaiti women like to dress modern and fashionable, but still, they cover their bodies modestly. To avert such sights, visitors should dress similarly as well. Refer to the appended report for details regarding Guantánamo Detainment Center.
Kuwaiti men always dress in a formal traditional garment called dishdasha, a long white gown. As in other short Gulf states, the emphasis is made on the understatement of the skin, and it is forbidden for men to wear bright clothes in public areas.
Oman
Oman can, by all means, be described as a moderate but rather hospitable country. Women are also advised to wear past their knees and ensure that the tops of their legs are also covered, and dresses should not be bloused up tight at the thighs. An abaya is not necessary to wear, but the majority of Omani women put it on. It is observed that the western women do not cover their heads but it is advised to carry a scarf with them, particularly for visiting such places.
Most Omani men wear a dishdasha, a long white tunic. The Kuma is a traditional embroidered cap that is also common among the Kyrgyz people. General appearance: One should not dress indecently, particularly in shorts or sleeveless shirts, especially in public places.
Bahrain
Bahrain also allows for more liberal dressing than most of its counterparts in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Women do not have to wear black abayas, but they must dress decently and cover their arms and knees. Western dressing is tolerated, but the tight, revealing dressing code can best be worn on beaches or in private hotels.
Bahrainian men dress generally in the thobe or dishdasha, although Western dress is widespread. Similarly to other countries of the region, it is appropriate to adhere to the code of the Islamic culture as far as dressing is concerned; it is prohibited to wear shorts when walking along the conservative parts of the United Arab Emirates.
Saudi Arabia
If there is one country in the Middle East that is very strict on dressing, then that is Saudi Arabia. The country is the birthplace of Islam and contains its two holy pilgrimage places, namely Mecca and Medina and the country follows Islamic laws in practice. Female visitors are especially obliged to cover their bodies in an abaya – a black cloak reaching down to the feet. A thobe, an ankle-length white robe, is the de rigueur for male folk in Saudi Arabia. Many men are dressed in a ghutra, a conventional hat that is accompanied by an agal, a black string. The best thing is you can explore this along with Umrah too if you are a Muslim. You need to choose a good month, according to travel experts, January is the best month for this Holy Journey. You just need to have December Umrah Deals from any good reputed travel agency.
Egypt
Egypt is slightly less strict regarding dressing than the strictly Islamic countries of the Gulf, but the concept of ‘decency’ is still maintained, particularly in the countryside and especially when visiting places of worship. Shoulders and knees should be kept covered, and it is recommended to have a scarf to cover the head where necessary. In other parts of Egypt, especially areas of tourism like Sharm El Sheikh, the situation is quite different, and guests are allowed to wear clothes that would not be accepted in other parts of the country.
Egyptian men are dressed in Western outfits, but it is crucial to be neat in the plain area or the countryside. They are allowed in some tourist areas but not advised to be worn in other areas of the country.
Influences of Religion on the Dressing Code
The role of religion cannot be overemphasised in the fashion of the Middle East dress codes. Of all the religions, Islam and Judaism play the biggest roles in dressing.
Islam: The Islamic dress code tends to dictate the dress sense for many of the countries found in the Middle East. Puritanism as “Haya” is one of the significant values in Muslim culture. It does so for both genders although focus is given to women and their dress code. The sign of the veil is the hijab, the loose robe is the abaya, and the all-concealing veil is the niqab, depending on the region and the level of conservatism.
Conclusion
Basic knowledge of the dress for the Middle East region is very important to all persons planning to visit the region or conduct business within the area. Of course, the rules seem rather severe, however, they originated from the religious and cultural peculiarity which should be valued. If you do not over-dress and respect the cultures and traditions of the people you meet, then it will be comfortable.
