What to Wear in Saudi Arabia: Expat’s Guide

If you just moved to Saudi Arabia, you might be feeling self-conscious about what you should wear.

I know the feeling. You are staring at your suitcase, wondering about the dress code and panicking about what you can or cannot wear inside the country.

As an expat who moved here a year ago, I’m going to share what I have seen, what people actually wear, and my own honest experience.

My perspective as a Muslim female expat (and a hijabi)

You might think the dress code in Saudi Arabia came naturally to me as I’m a Muslim woman, but it actually didn’t.

This is because Muslims from all over the world have different cultures, social norms, and fashion sense.

Where I came from in the Southeast Asia, it’s culturally and socially acceptable to see women wearing a hijab with blouse and pants.

From what I’ve seen in Riyadh, it is not common for local women to wear pants even if they don’t wear hijab. Most local women still put abaya on top, whether or not they cover their hair.

This is such a unique experience and perspective for me.

Is abaya mandatory in Saudi Arabia?

If you’re wondering whether or not to bring abaya with you while traveling to Saudi Arabia, the answer is, abaya is not mandatory for expats or tourists anymore.

But that doesn’t mean that you can wear whatever you like. Because modesty clothing is still highly expected in Saudi Arabia.

How is the dress code in Saudi Arabia?

If you’re wondering what to wear while traveling or living in Saudi Arabia, the rule is simple. You can wear anything MODEST. It does not necessarily have to be an abaya.

But what does “modest” actually mean by Saudi standards?

Think of it like dressing for very cold weather, where you would be covering most of your skin. You will be wearing long pants, and long-sleeve tops that will cover your shoulder, underarm, and chest.

If you choose not to wear an abaya, you can follow the guidelines I share in this article to respect local culture and the Public Decency Law in Saudi Arabia:

• Keep your upper body covered (shoulder, underarm, cleavage).
• Avoid low-cut tops or dresses.
• Keep anything above knees covered (no shorts or miniskirts)
• Keep your clothes loose and not so tight.

Examples of outfit you can wear in Saudi Arabia

If you’re feeling confused or overwhelmed with the dress code in Saudi Arabia, here are some outfit inspo I’d like to share along with the links on where you can get them.

Modest outfit to wear in Saudi Arabia: Shirt Dresses

If you want a modest yet stylish outfit while traveling to Saudi Arabia, shirt dresses are often a great choice. Opt for breathable fabrics like linen or cotton to stay comfortable in the heat.

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Choichic Shirt Dresses for Women

Modest outfit to wear in Saudi Arabia: Long Sleeve Blouse

If you’re looking for a modest yet stylish outfit for your trip to Saudi Arabia, long-sleeve blouses are a great option to pack. Just make sure they’re not see-through or low-cut, so they align with the country’s modesty standards.

Blooming Jelly Women’s Dressy Casual Blouses

Modest outfit to wear in Saudi Arabia: Long Skirt / Long Pants

When traveling to Saudi Arabia, it’s best to wear long skirts or long pants, as anything above the knee does not align with the country’s modesty standards.

Urban CoCo Elastic Long Maxi Skirt 

Modest outfit to wear in Saudi Arabia: Abaya Dress

If you want to blend in effortlessly, wearing an abaya is a perfect choice. It’s modest, culturally appropriate in Saudi Arabia, and instantly elevates your entire look. Plus, it makes your OOTD photos look even more stunning.

Women Muslim Abaya Dress 2PCS Lightweight Satin

What is appropriate to wear in Saudi Arabia?

You can wear wide-leg trousers with a nice blouse, or a beautiful maxi dress.

You want to avoid anything too tight or body-hugging unless you are layering something over it, like an abaya.

I personally love wearing jeans and a blouse, but ever since I started living in Riyadh, I fell in love with the abaya. So I will usually put an abaya on top of my jeans and blouse.

What is the dress code for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia?

The rules for tourists are pretty much the same as for residents.

You don’t need to cover your hair (unless you are visiting a mosque), and you don’t need to buy a black abaya the second you land.

Just stick to the modesty rule: shoulders and knees covered.

Is it acceptable to wear shorts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?

For men, long shorts (below the knee) are generally accepted in casual settings, but long trousers are always the safer option, more respectful bet. A lot of fancy restaurants often won’t allow you in if you wear shorts, even a “long short”.

For women, you are not allowed to wear shorts in public places.

You will most likely be denied entry in certain places like malls or restaurants. Plus, you will attract a lot of unwanted attention and stares.

Can I wear pyjamas in public in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi Arabia Public Decency Law prohibits you from wearing sleepwear or undergarments in public even if they are “modest”.

There is a news reported in July 2025 of a man who got fined for wearing his night thobe (the Saudi traditional pyjamas for men) in public.

Am I allowed to wear a minidress in Saudi Arabia?

The answer is you cannot wear a minidress in public places in Saudi Arabia.

A minidress shows your legs and usually your shoulders, which goes against the public decency laws here.

So where can you wear any kind of cute dresses?

This is a secret I want to let out about private gatherings of Arab women. If you have been to one, you’re lucky! It means your friends really like you.

These gatherings are where Muslim women are free to wear any cute outfit or dresses in private and trusted company of women. Though from my personal experience, Muslim women still observe modest dressing (e.g., not showing thigh) even in a private gathering.

So even though women are covered here in public places, in private, in the presence of their family members or other women, they are actually quite free.

If you have been to a gender-segregated Arab wedding, you’ll know what I’m talking about. So if you own minidresses, you can still wear them at home or at women-only gatherings that you get invited to.

My final thoughts

I understand this could be a huge cultural shock, especially if you’re not used to it. 

I got lucky because I came from a Muslim-majority country, and it didn’t take me long to get used to the new norms of living in Saudi Arabia.

But even then, I still felt the pressure of blending in, trying not to look “too foreign.”

If you would like to see what other expat women wear daily in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, you can find a few of them on Instagram.

Last but not least, if you’re thinking of moving to Saudi Arabia, come and see it for yourself. The first few months might need some adjustment, but you will soon fall in love with the city.

When in doubt about your dressing, just bring a light jacket or a long cardigan (or an abaya) to throw over your outfit for a quick modesty hack.