Job Discussion Forums

[johnslat]

Dear sheikh yer money-maker,

Are you referring to this by Wilde:

�We have really everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language."

or maybe this, by Shaw:

"England and America are two countries separated by the same language."

Dear VictorianChick,

You might, however, occasionally want to give some of them a "dressing down."

Regards,
John

[sheikh yer money-maker]

I prefer GBS.

[veiledsentiments]

[Vanica]

I understand the original question perfectly!

I saw a very slender woman wearing jeans covered by a dress that was in a bold black and white pattern that actually swirled around her and had a long and assymetrical hemline, and a matching head covering. It gave the appearance of being formfitting without actually being so, and looked very beautiful and stylish. Hope this helps.

Oh, it was probably crepe de chine.

Personally I am making crochet tunics, which you can wear with those ultra-lightweight tshirts that are ubiquitous nowadays.

[cmp45]

Thought I would chime in...better late than never, I understood the OP without much trouble...she wants to know what is fashionable in the ME now! Not hard to understand really.

I would also say wait until you arrive and converse with your colleagues and then go shopping! As for what is fashionable, you will get a different answer from each person you ask as everyone has a different idea...even the so called professionals will tell you something different.

For example: Say the color yellow is in fashion now, will you wear yellow even if it looks terrible on you? Just because it's in fashion? I rather doubt you would. Or a particular style/ cut of dress?

Perhaps it has more to do with fitting in with your colleagues than being properly fashionable? Just a thought...as to why women choose the clothes they do? Is it because their friends dress this or that way or...because of what society or fashionistas tell you to wear?

This notion of following trends is crazy anyways...well...I am a guy so what the heck do I know about fashion...but I notice women get lost in this notion of fashion and waste alot of money trying to stay current from year to year...such nonsense really!

[lostdegaine]

Dubai has a weekly fashion magazine, Grazia. The pictures might give you some ideas.

http://www.ahlanlive.com/grazia/insider/grazia-this-week.php

[feelfree]

I've had similar thoughts. I was thinking I should buy a few basics and wait until I get there. I don't want to look like the locals, but I'm hoping to find a seamstress who will be able to help me with creating some outfits that look fashionable and professional yet comfortable in the classroom. I don't want to look or feel matronly or dowdy.

I like color and patterns. I'm wondering how much I have to tone it down.

I am early in the contract process though, and I'm trying really hard not to put the cart before the horse.

[veiledsentiments]

Colors and patterns are no problem. In a country like Oman, the color combinations of the traditional clothing are quite blinding. I used the local tailors to make probably 75% of my work clothing. It may be difficult finding a good tailor if you are in some small village in the hinterlands of some of these countries. Also, depending on where you are, good cotton can be very hard to find. (I only wear 100% cotton... even here in the US) I used to bring back suitcases full of it from the US and Egypt most years.

VS

[feelfree]

I hadn't considered bringing fabric with me. That's a great idea!

My offer is at a university in Riyadh.

[Cleopatra]

If you are going to Riyadh you'll have no trouble finding shops selling all sorts of beautiful fabrics - and likely much cheaper than what you'd pay at home. No need to bring any fabric with you.

There are also some excellent tailors around. However, because they are almost all male, you'll have to either provide them with an item of clothing to take your measurements, or bring along a friend to measure you - male tailors are not allowed to measure women. There are some female tailors, but they operate from their homes, not the suks, so the only way you'll hear about them is through personal contacts.

[veiledsentiments]

Just curious Cleo... do they have 100% cotton. Good cotton was always impossible to find in the UAE and Oman. Every once in awhile I would find not-so-good cotton. And, my favorite was how the clerks in the shops, once they knew that you wanted cotton, declared that everything you touched was cotton. But, sadly, it never actually was.

I had one Filipina tailor who was very good (in Oman), but mostly it was men. But that was really no problem for me as I always took an item of mine for them to copy. I also had them doing curtains and bedskirts and what-have-you. Great work and so cheap.

VS

[Cleopatra]

100% cotton? Don't know about that. Personally, I didn't have many clothes (other than abayas) made in KSA, but I know lots of people who did, and they never complained about the lack of availability of any particular material. I'd have to ask them to know for sure about cotton, though.

[veiledsentiments]

Naturally most of their inventory is going to target the local women, who prefer the fancier synthetics. But that stuff is mostly very hot and it sets off the static electricity in my hair - even a combo fabric of cotton with 10% polyester does it. Thus, 100% of my wardrobe is 100% cotton. In the US, to find high quality cotton, I would hit the craft directed shops that carry materials for the quilters.

VS

[teechagimme]

Go for a look that is modestly boho. It's a major fashion trend right now. In Korea it tends to look like Asia met Laura Ingalls, but in Istanbul there are many funky styles available to play with and I imagine that similar things are available in much of the ME. Similar styles being sold in the U.S. are probably too bare up top but you can layer, sorta.

I've come to really appreciate shopping for shirts in places other than the U.S. because when it's really hot, I still don't want to show all of my business and layering becomes ridiculous.