If you ask anyone to describe what a Saudi woman wears, most likely they will say a long, black garment. Technically, that answer is correct. Saudi women are required to wear an abaya, or robe-like garment when they are in public. With that being said, just because women wear abayas in public, doesn’t mean that they aren’t…
Tag: fashion
Oppressed or Overdressed: Fashionable abayas
Saudi Arabia in the past was a very common place to see women dressed in all black everything, from head to toe, revealing only their eyes. Some places of Saudi Arabia still have strict cultural norms requiring women to wear the niqab (think piece of fabric covering the face) to feel comfortable. However, now that…
All that glitters
A common trend among women in Saudi Arabia is to have a solid gold necklace with your name written on it. As a huge Sex in the City fan, it immediately reminded me of Carrie Bradshaw’s signature necklace. I personally never bought into the trend, but I have a Saudi mother-in-law who bought me a personalized…
Culture sharing
One of my favorite things about being an expat worker is that you often work with other expats from all around the world. The diversity is quite incredible! It isn’t uncommon to see people from 10 or more nationalities working together. When we come together, we are able to share experiences and culture. On the…
Party in the KSA
“I don’t think I could survive in Saudi. It’s just so boring.” Yeah, I hear that ALL. THE. TIME. And they’re right, it is boring. Not dreadfully boring, but obviously not as great as back home is. What people forget to mention is that Saudi Arabia, like anywhere, can be an absolute blast if you know…
There are two main types of clothing here- There’s the mainstream western apparel (like HM, Zara, Steve Madden, and so on.) Then there is a more traditional eastern apparel, which mixes fun prints and colors with gorgeous embroidery. Most of the dresses are long and flowy, and they have a bohemian vibe to them. Even…
Clothing styles
When people think about women’s fashion in Saudi Arabia, the firs thing that comes to mind is all black everything. Yes, in most places women do wear a black abaya, hijab, and frequently a niqab. But under the abaya lies incredible style and fashion. It’s common to see everything from designer clothes to traditional Arabic…
Fashion sense
Saudi Arabia is considered as one of the most conservative countries in the world. There is a dress code, and women wear black abayas, hijabs, and niqabs. The only thing visible on most Saudi Women when they are in public is their eyes. When they are with other women, however, they are able to wear…
Kendra in KSA 