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cmp45 · Joined: 17 Aug 2004 Posts: 1475 Location: KSA

Looked at the links....I think they are using the term abaya rather loosely...as they are actually dresses that have incorporated aspects of the traditional abaya...However, in my opinion, not really suitable for going out in public in Saudi Arabia; maybe get away with it in Jeddah??? Maybe okay to wear in other more liberal Gulf countries. Perhaps the women on this forum will offer their opinions; as a man I am ignorant of the finer details regarding women's apparel Rolling Eyes

Scott also makes a valid point too...you will be harrassed, if you wear this type of dress in public...you still need to cover up with the traditional abaya that covers all..arm length and even the ankles -no plunging neck lines! KSA has strict standards when it comes to women's dress in public.

usa_in_gulf · Joined: 10 Aug 2009 Posts: 133 Location: Gulf

Hi,

Yes, these are abayas--but they are not "Gulf" style abayas! Very Happy

The ones that you posted are more Indian/Pakistani style.

I wear abayas every day ---and I wear them at work--been doing it for more than 20 years. Shocked

(Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi, and Oman)

There are two different styles being talked about here so far--the one that you wear over your clothes--it goes over your head -- and then the style that you are looking at. When I shop for an abaya -and want the one that goes over my head--I refer to in Arabic as "Abaya Islamia" (Islamic Abaya) --then the style you are looking at as simply "abaya". The style I wear every day to work is similiar to the one you are looking at--but Gulf style. I would describe the Gulf style as much more conservative (at least for every day wear)--fits much, much looser, and if there is a design--much, much more conservative. The ones that I have --that have a design--have design simply around the sleeves or neckline. I have to point out that the overwhelming majority of my abayas are plain black.

You do not wear your "normal" clothes under these. When you get to Saudi, you will find something similiar to boxer shorts--but longer-- that some women (myself included) wear underneath. (When its colder, they sell pants similiar to long johns--that you can wear.) Some women will wear a skirt or pants under--but I would think thats too "bulky".

Don't forget that with the "not over your head" style, you would have to wear a scarf on your head. Throughout the years, I have had several non-Muslim friends wear abayas to work (non-head kind). It is more comfortable. Very Happy

A couple of them actually wore a "over the head" kind ---over the "non-head" kind. Then when they got to work, remove the "head" one. Very Happy

As others have suggested, I would wait until you get there to buy. See whats going on--and what you will be comfortable with. Another point, abayas are much cheaper here!! Trust me--you can buy some very expensive abayas throughout the Gulf--but my every day abayas cost me about $12.

KME0050 · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Location: U.S.

Ok! I think I've got it! I will not buy any of this non-Islamic dresses/abayas and will wait until I get there to figure out what I need.

Thanks to all who posted.

KME

trapezius · Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 9:23 pm Post subject:

If you really just want to know what Saudi abayas look like, umm, Google?

http://www.google.com/images?q=saudi+women
http://www.google.com/images?q=saudi+girls

Here is a nice picture
http://ummadam.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/jetski1.jpg Laughing

I checked the links you posted:

1st: Abaya but not suitable for Abha (OK for Jeddah).
2nd: OK for Abha, as long as it is not too tight.
3rd: Not an abaya, but a dress. You will have to wear an abaya (black) over it.

Go through the pics on Google and you will come to know very clearly what is worn here in public. You will see a few with prints or brightly colored sashes and borders, but most are just plain black and loose.

P.S. http://dilsedesi.org/forums/uploads/monthly_05_2009/post-3783-1243163737.jpg Shocked

KME0050 · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Location: U.S.

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 3:28 am Post subject:

Abaya fashions change rapidly, and even in six months a very expensive abaya can go out of style. If you must buy something before arriving, buy something cheap and VERY conservative. (In the smaller towns in KSA, conservtive never goes out of styel) and then once you have arrived and scoped out the local fashion scene, go to a good tailor and get one made. They'll even make them from pictures from the internet or magazines. One word of caution: many tailors are very conservative Pakistani muslims and may refuse to make a design that he feels is too enticing or revealing.

The abaya is best thought of as a cloak. Many students consider it to be in bad taste to wear your abaya in class while teaching, sort of like wearing your coat while you teach in New York. Students may feel that it is more professional for you to take off your "street" abaya and wear nice, modest, professional western clothing while at work.

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

Sheikh N Bake · Joined: 26 Apr 2007 Posts: 1307 Location: Dis ting of ours

Again, the purpose of an abaya worn in public in the Kingdom is to hide a woman's attractiveness, not to make her attractive. You can get away with what you can get away with, but that's not its purpose.

lizziebennet · Joined: 24 May 2009 Posts: 355

Hey, my suggestion is just buy one abaya before you get to Saudi and then buy the rest when you get here. They are really cheap and you can try them on over your clothes. Also the tailors here will trim the bottom for you if the abaya is too long.

I wouldn't worry about everyone saying have a conservative abaya. I lived in Buraidah for 6 months and I have had quite a few Muttawa run ins but never about the abaya. Just stuff like wearing a veil that wasn't covering my eyes and being in a taxi alone... I bought funky abayas in Jeddah and wore them there. Not many people do, but the students really liked my abayas! And you get stared at either way, unless you are wearing the full head abaya with a full veil and maybe some gloves and stockings.

Just write down the number of the license plate of any cars that give you problems and let the central intelligence guys know. We had the CID guys with us in Buraidah, not sure what your situation will be like. It is better to take a cab because wherever you are, whatever you are wearing you will face stalkers because Saudi woman just don't walk anywhere in those conservative areas. So just by walking you are attracting attention. Abha is a vacation area so I think it may be more like Jeddah where Saudi woman do actually walk around. Don't forget to bring all your favorite bikinis and costumes if you like the beach because there are a few private western style beaches around!

Don't wear an abaya in class. Student's will think you are weird. Unless you are a Pakistani and you are wearing your national dress or you are old(er). They appreciate fashion so don't be shy when buying funky long skirts in bright colors (must be full length for work) and accessories like wide belts and earrings. Saudi girls are into fashion, even in the most conservative places. All you need to be is covered, but that doesn't mean the clothes have to be brown, gray and black, with no shape at all! They really like it when you dress up and look pretty! Even the most conservative Saudi girls I know, know how to dress up and wear loads of make up etc! They spend a good portion of their time shopping in this country!! You are only around girls so no need to worry about being too conservative!

Don't pack to much clothing... they have every name brand you can imagine here!

KME0050 · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Location: U.S.

Thanks! Good advice. In fact, so much so that I now have a new question that deserves its own thread!

boysfromtheblackstuff · Joined: 15 May 2010 Posts: 35

KME says:

"a bunch of long, comfortable dresses, I will gladly do it."

Do take care......as mentioned above, if you are teaching women, and you will be, you will probably have/want to take your abaya off.......you may be tempted to buy the long comfortable dresses seen in shops here, that are brightly coloured, often with floral patterns, and seem attractive to those of an outgoing nature, as a lot of us teachers are.

These dresses are worn by Saudi ladies at home, and they would never dream of wearing them in public, even under their abayas!! If you were seen in one of them in the classrooms, you may see your students sniggering!!!

Its a bit like thongs/flipflops.....they are for the toilet only.

Turn up in a housedress and toilet flipflops.......imagine the impression you are going to create!!

KME0050 · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 87 Location: U.S.

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

Another of our normal footwear that they find so bizarre (cue snickering) are Birkenstocks. Laughing

VS

Mia Xanthi · Posted: Sun Jun 06, 2010 3:44 am Post subject:

kierith · Joined: 03 Nov 2009 Posts: 32 Location: Riyadh

I was looking to buy one of the abaya/hijab combos off this site and bring it in my carry-on to change into at the airport. Would they be appropriate? Too fancy? Wrong version of an abaya for SA?

http://www.eastessence.com/catalog/ABAYA_JILBAB-9-1.html

Specifically I was thinking of one of these 4:

http://www.eastessence.com/products/Akifah_Abaya-144-9.html
http://www.eastessence.com/products/Faryat_Abaya-481-9.html
http://www.eastessence.com/products/Bareerah_Abaya-130-9.html
http://www.eastessence.com/products/Ameen_Abaya-114-9.html

Are they too colorful, too fancy, not conservative enough? Would I run into any issues if I were to buy/wear one of them?

These are worn at all times outside of your privat residence/compound or just to and from work and home? Are they worn in the classroom or can they be taken off inside a female only environment?