Job Discussion Forums

reneebcc · Joined: 26 Jan 2009 Posts: 60 Location: Georgia

Fashion is different for everyone and I wouldn't want to stand out in a negative perspective. Taking in consideration the culture and weather what should females wear in and outside the classroom, besides the black abaya?

Renata · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 48 Location: Poland

Good question, I'd like to receive some answers for it too.
Do I have to buy this abaya before coming to KSA? I don't think they sell it on the airport in Riyadh, but still......

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

This must really be an anxiety for western women coming to KSA. Good they are wondering early and not late about it. Long sleeves, no tight clothing, no leg showing, no low riders or low cut styles, no makeup, no jingling anklets for SURE, no belly showing, no piercings showing, cover any tattoos, etc.

leez · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:57 am Post subject:

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Please!

Make-up is just fine. Wait till you see some of the female Saudi students. Many of them wear more makeup at one time- on their eyes!- than I would wear in a year.

Head covering depends on the part of the country. In the Eastern Province it is pretty much optional.

Cover your elbows and knees in a professional setting (classroom, etc.).

D�colletage is just bad taste in the kingdom, except in private amongst westerners or women only groups. Although most of my students didn't get that memo.

Jewelry is rather a free for all. Although a lot of the female students prefer Tiffany's.

The edict about covering, to the degree the region mandates, is only for mixed company. If you go to a women's gathering, expect to see just about everything!

And Tattoos should be discreet, unless it is henna, and then anything goes!

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I would think that one could just put it on as you stand up to deplane. I wouldn't bother with trying to do it in the teeny little toilet. Covering the hair is a bit more optional. If you want to throw on a headscarf, you can.

Where are the PMU ladies to answer this stuff? I've only worn abayas when touring some mosques which provide them for you.

VS

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:37 am Post subject:

You can buy an abaya online before you come, but I think you would pay less and have a better selection once you are in KSA. You can also get them tailor-made with your own designs, which is nice.

If you don't want to buy one before coming over, then here's the plan for the plane: wear baggy trousers and a big, baggy shirt with long sleeves. Black would stand out the least, but any subdued colors would do. Before you arrive, button the top button on the shirt and make sure the sleeves are rolled down and buttoned. Put a headscarf over your hair, and you should be fine for going through customs.

An even better plan would be to wear trousers and a shirt of any kind, and bring along a big trenchcoat (preferably black). Put on the trenchcoat just before you arrive, and make sure it is buttoned to the top.
Add a headscarf if you don't like to stand out. This should satisfy even the grumpiest muttawa.

If you'll be in KSA during Ramadan, remember that it is an especially sensitive time. Avoid any bright colors and tone down the make-up if you must wear it at all. The idea is that you should not look in any way like you are trying to catch a man's attention.

leez · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 5:13 am Post subject:

eclectic · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 1122

are western women capable of "not looking in any way as if u r trying to catch a man's attention"? I have my doubts. It is drilled into them since birth.

sandersjayfer · Joined: 29 Jun 2009 Posts: 14 Location: Saudi Arabia

MOD edit

EFLUndercover · Joined: 26 May 2007 Posts: 82

Even if you disagree with the religion and/or culture of Saudi Arabia, there is no need to to be insulting and degrading. I am sure that those of Arab descent could post on this forum some degrading things that they think about western women as well.

But, in shaa' Allaah, I hope they are better than you. I would advise you to delete your comments Sandersjayfer before this thread gets locked.

veiledsentiments · Joined: 20 Feb 2003 Posts: 17644 Location: USA

I really wish that the men would not bother to post their little uninformed comments on a thread like this. While I would not consider working in Saudi, there is a process for those who are. Mr Sandershayfer would be better off not going to a country for which he has so little respect or understanding. I would edit out the comment so that any future employers don't see it... or why is he in this section in the first place?

And then there is this little gem:

are western women capable of "not looking in any way as if u r trying to catch a man's attention"? I have my doubts. It is drilled into them since birth.

A blatantly sexist comment followed by a blatantly racist one. In any society that devalues women from birth down to only their ability to attract a man, one has this situation... not to mention that it is a comment that could only be made by a man who knows little or nothing about Arab women either.

VS

littleoldlady · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 286 Location: knitting heaven

Here here VS. You said it so much better than I.

Grendal · Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 2:27 pm Post subject:

VS you go girl.

Grendal

desultude · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 614

Thanks, VS, you are so right.

Yes, during Ramadan things are more sensitive.

As for attracting the discriminating man- my students told me that you can get plenty of manly attention by shaking a large black garbage bag in a mall- they will follow it anywhere!