What to Wear in Saudi Arabia? Saudi Dress Code in 2024
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Introduction
If you don’t know what to wear in Saudi Arabia then you’ve come to the right place.
The dress code of Saudi Arabia is more relaxed than it was prior to the country opening up to tourism in 2019. Women no longer need to wear abayas or cover their hair in most places (with exceptions for religious places), although there is still an expectation that tourists will dress modestly.
The most liberal interpretation of the Saudi dress code is as follows: women should cover their shoulders and whilst skirts are allowed, they should go below the knees. Men should wear shorts and a t-shirt at “worst” with anything less than this (sleeveless shirts for example) deemed to be offensive. Neither gender should wear clothing with offensive slogans, particularly anything related to Saudi Arabia, the government, the royal family or Islam.
Read on for more detail about the Saudi dress code and what you can or can’t wear in this deeply religious society.
Saudi Arabia Relaxes Dress Code for Foreign Tourists
Prior to 2019, the rules on what to wear in Saudi Arabia were very strict. Women could show nothing other than their faces (at most) with Islamic abayas commonplace and covering hair to be a necessity.
Men would have to cover their legs and arms, although revealing hair was always allowed.
The Saudi dress code has been relaxed however as the country looks to market itself as a major tourist destination by 2030.
“Vision 2030” is a project which saw the traditionally conservative country aim to grow not just as a major tourist spot, but also as an economic powerhouse with less reliance on oil money, which has dominated the Saudi economy for decades.
Human rights reforms were announced as a part of the project, and one of the outcomes here was a relaxed dress code which ensures women no longer have to wear abayas and men can get away with a T-shirt and shorts.
What to Wear in Saudi Arabia in 2024
The Public Decorum Charter states the following: “All visitors to public places shall dress modestly and must not dress in outfits with photos, figures, signs or phrases violating common decency.” This quote is taken directly from Saudi Arabia’s official tourism site. It goes on to show a picture showing what is not acceptable to wear in Saudi Arabia.
Men are not permitted to take their tops off. And women should cover their legs (at least above the knees), their shoulders and their torso. Ripped jeans are also not appropriate.
You should remember that Saudi Arabia is still a very conservative country. Therefore some forms of clothing may be legally allowed, but culturally frowned upon. Regardless of the laws, you are more likely to be respected by the locals if you cover up most of your skin.
What Men Should Wear in Saudi Arabia in 2024
Even in 2024, the dress code is more relaxed for men than it is for women.
Men can wear T-shirts without any issues, although sleeveless shirts are still viewed negatively. Shorts are legally allowed, although trousers are more respectful towards Saudi culture and traditions. There is no expectation to wear a thobe, the clothing of choice for Saudi men. Although if you did wear one, this would be appreciated by many in the country.
Jewellery is the one area where men face more restrictions than women. Although again, this is cultural rather than legal nowadays.
A watch and a wedding ring are generally accepted for men to wear in Saudi Arabia, although the more jewellery a man wears, the more he risks upsetting locals. Earrings in particular (and other visible piercings) are something men should avoid wearing in Saudi Arabia.
And wearing anything that represents a religion other than Islam is highly offensive to many Saudis. Brazilian footballer Neymar sparked outrage across the country when he arrived to play for Saudi football club Al Hilal whilst wearing earrings and a large crucifix necklace. He received mass criticism across Arab social media channels and has been accused of disrespecting the local culture and religion.
If you’re a man visiting Saudi Arabia, don’t be like Neymar.
What Women Should Wear in Saudi Arabia in 2024
The Saudi dress code for women is far more relaxed than before. However it doesn’t mean women can wear what they want.
Shoulders and above the knees should always be covered by clothing. Revealing outfits will also land you in hot water here. As a woman in Saudi Arabia, your torso should be covered at all times in a public place.
Even whilst swimming, you should not wear bikinis. You should cover up in appropriate local clothing such as a burkini – a swimsuit covering the whole body and hair. If you wear a burkini, only your face, hands and feet will be visible.
Makeup is allowed, and worn often by Saudi women. Keep your look modest and you won’t have any issues here.
The other thing to be wary of is tight clothing. Saudi culture frowns upon tight clothing and women are advised to wear loose-fitting clothes during their trip to the strictest country in the Middle East.
Can I Display Tattoos in Saudi Arabia?
Tattoos are haram (forbidden) in Islam. However, you should still be able to display them without issues, particularly as a non-Muslim tourist.
Tattoos are forbidden as Muslims believe they are changing the creation of Allah, something which is not allowed. Temporary henna tattoos are allowed and even quite common amongst Middle Eastern women.
Despite these beliefs, Muslims also believe that Allah is a great forgiver, therefore they will not judge tourists with tattoos. In fact, several Muslim converts have gone not just to Saudi Arabia, but also the holy cities of Mecca and Medina with tattoos from their pre-Islamic lives. One famous example is the rapper Kevin Gates who visited Mecca with several neck and face tattoos.
If you have tattoos then it would be respectful to cover them up in Saudi Arabia, but this is not a necessity.
What Shoes Can I Wear in Saudi Arabia?
You can wear any shoes you want in the Land of the Two Holy Mosques, as Saudi Arabia is sometimes known. This is one aspect of clothing that isn’t really covered by local laws and customs. The only thing to be aware of is that footwear should always be removed when entering mosques.
Does the Same Saudi Dress Code Apply to Tourists and Locals?
Yes. Tourists wear clothes that meet the criteria mentioned above. Female tourists wear modest, yet more westernised clothing than the locals.
Yet this is not because of Saudi law. Locals still wear more modest clothing than tourists for cultural and religious reasons. Legally, they are able to wear the same clothing as tourists if they wish to do so.
Saudi women will generally wear abayas still, covering almost all of their bodies, with the exceptions of hands, feet and faces.
Saudi men will often wear the following traditional clothing:
- Thobe: A long white robe that covers everything below the face (excluding hands and feet). Also called a thawb
- Bisht: A traditional cloak usually worn on top of a thobe. It is often worn either to show status, or on special occasions such as Eid.
- Ghutra: Also known as the keffiyah, or kufiyyeh, this headdress is commonly worn by men not just in Saudi Arabia, but also other Gulf countries. It helps reflect the heat and keeps the body cool in the searing Middle Eastern heat
- Iqal: A cord worn to keep the ghutra in place and ensure it doesn’t blow off in the wind. Also called an agal, egal or igal
Why do Saudis Wear Thobes and Abayas
There are two primary reasons why Saudi men wear thobes and women wear abayas: modesty and heat resistance.
Both pieces of clothing cover the whole body apart from the face, hands and feet (and hair for the thobe). They are both loose-fitting which ensures they comply with Saudi modesty laws. Whilst laws are more relaxed now, Saudis are traditional people who have little desire to westernise their clothing.
Heat resistance is also a primary reason for wearing these clothes. Saudi men wear white thobes as white is a better colour to avoid absorbing the heat. Also, Saudi clothes are generally made of cotton as this material provides better protection against hot weather. Loose clothing is also another cooling measure, with tighter clothing sticking to the skin and trapping heat and sweat. Looser clothing will allow more air circulation, creating a more comfortable experience for the wearer.
What to Wear in Saudi Arabia Whilst Visiting Religious Sites
The rules are still much stricter for anyone going to mosques or other religious sites in Saudi Arabia.
In this case, the Saudi dress code prior to 2019 still remains very relevant.
Shoes should be removed by both males and females before entering a mosque.
What to Wear in Saudi Arabia Whilst Visiting Religious Sites as a Man
Long trousers are necessary as a bare minimum. You do not need a thobe, but you must cover all of your legs.
Men will also need to cover their arms before entering a mosque.
Clothing should not be tight, have inappropriate slogans on it or have any tears. For example, ripped jeans are not appropriate here.
What to Wear in Saudi Arabia Whilst Visiting Religious Sites as a Woman
Women should wear an abaya whilst visiting a mosque in Saudi Arabia. This loose piece of clothing will cover everything except the hands, feet and face. Hair coverings are still essential in a Saudi mosque.
Makeup and jewellery are allowed but should be kept modest. And jewellery should not make noises if worn by a woman who chooses to pray.
Is the Saudi Dress Code the Same in Every City?
Legally, the Saudi Arabian dress code is the same across the country. Culturally you will see more conservative clothing in the more religious cities.
In Mecca and Medina, traditional Saudi Arabian attire is worn by virtually everyone. For those performing Umrah (pilgrimage to Mecca), women must cover the entire body except for face and hands. During the Ihram period (where Muslims enter a state of holiness), men must wear two white clothes to cover their bodies. Whilst dressing like this is not essential outside of Umrah and Ihram, you are very unlikely to find anyone in the holy cities wearing more western-style clothing.
In Riyadh however, it’s a different story. Many foreign women can be seen without hair coverings or clothing that covers the entire arm. Foreign men will often wear a t-shirt and shorts. In Jeddah, the rules are even more relaxed. This is because a high population of Southeast Asian immigrants live there, and they generally dress less conservatively than their Arab counterparts. Even prior to the relaxation of the dress code, the people of Jeddah looked like they could be based in Malaysia, Indonesia or the Philippines rather than Saudi Arabia.
Do Religious Police Enforce Dress Codes Against Foreign Tourists in Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV) are the religious police in Saudi Arabia, also known as mutawa. They were notorious for enforcing strict dress codes in the past and handing out punishments for breaches.
This is no longer the case. The mutawa have lost their powers and can only report to the civilian police if they believe a crime has been committed. With the relaxed dress codes in place, this means that in practice the religious police can do nothing at all to foreign tourists. They have no power to enforce any laws even if they wanted to.
Tourists will only get in trouble for clothing offences if they deliberately take things to extremes. For example, wearing a bikini in a city. Bikinis are not appropriate anywhere within the country, but at the beach it would be greeted with a less harsh response.
FAQS on What to Wear in Saudi Arabia
Do I need to wear local clothing in Saudi Arabia?
No. You won’t have any problems wearing western clothing which can be worn anywhere across the country outside of Mecca.
Does that mean I can wear what I want in Saudi Arabia?
No. Covering legs, shoulders and the torso is expected. Bikinis are banned even at Saudi beaches.
What happens if I break the dress code in Saudi Arabia?
Probably nothing. The exception would be if you take it to the extreme. For example if you strip down to a bikini in a public place outside of beach areas (where they are still forbidden, but would not be frowned upon so much).
Do women have to cover their hair in Saudi Arabia?
No. The only exception is whilst visiting religious sites.
Will my tattoos be a problem in Saudi Arabia?
No. Whilst tattoos are banned by Islamic teachings, Saudis realise tourists to their country may not be Muslim, or could be Muslim converts who got tattoos before converting. Even going to Mecca with face tattoos has been done before.
What footwear should I wear in Saudi Arabia?
In a mosque, you should take your shoes off. Anywhere else, you can wear whatever you want on your feet.
Can I wear shorts in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. But whilst they are legally allowed, they are not culturally appreciated. Stricter rules apply for women. Stricter rules still apply whilst visiting religious sites, where shorts are banned for both genders.
Can I wear a skirt in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. But only if it goes below the knees.
Can I wear makeup in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. Makeup is common across the country even amongst locals before the relaxation in clothing laws. A modest look is a better idea, but there are no restrictions on makeup.
What should I wear as a non-Muslim visiting Mecca?
You cannot visit Mecca. Non-Muslims are banned from entering and face severe punishments if caught. These will most likely include heavy fines and deportation from the country.
What should I wear as a non-Muslim visiting Medina?
You can visit Medina as a non-Muslim, but cannot enter Al-Masjid an Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque). In the rest of the city, clothing is generally more conservative than in the rest of the country. Legally, you can still dress down (as long as you still comply with the dress code enforced elsewhere). Culturally, this is not recommended and you risk offending the locals. Western-style clothing is fine, but it must cover your legs and shoulders.
