Home / Saudi Arabia Dress Code Explained: A Super Easy Guide for UK Travellers
Travelling to Saudi Arabia feels exciting. It also feels confusing for many first-time visitors. We get it. New place. New rules. And a new culture. So the Saudi Arabia dress code becomes the first big question. People wonder what to wear. How much to cover? What is allowed and what is not allowed? And how to stay comfy in a place that gets very hot. This guide explains everything, and the goal is to make readers feel prepared before they fly.
Saudi Arabia is a conservative country. It means people like modest clothing. Modest clothing means clothes that cover more skin. Nothing tight, see-through, with rude words or with big political messages. These small rules help visitors blend in. They allow visitors to feel comfortable in public. They also show respect for the culture.
But the rules are not as strict as they used to be. Things changed a lot after 2019, when Saudi Arabia began issuing tourist visas.
People will see all kinds of outfits. They will see local women in black abayas and tourists in maxi dresses. Moreover, they will see Saudi men in long white thobes and foreign men in shirts and trousers. It is a mix. A big mix. A friendly mix. No one shouts at tourists. No one gives warnings. But people do stare sometimes. Not in a rude way. Just curious. So dressing modestly helps tourists avoid too much attention.
When we talk about modest clothing in Saudi Arabia, we mean clothes that cover the shoulders and knees. Loose clothes. Breathable clothes. Clothes that let air move. Clothes that do not cling to the body. This matters because the heat can be extreme, like over 40 degrees in summer. Even winter feels warm. So all clothing choices need to match the climate. So choosing the right fabric matters just as much as choosing the right style.
The dress code also varies by area. Some cities feel modern. Some feel traditional. Jeddah is relaxed. AlUla is full of tourists. Riyadh feels mixed. But smaller towns can feel more conventional. So clothing choices may shift slightly based on where someone goes.
Women from the UK get more freedom than before. They do not need to wear an abaya by law. They do not need to cover their hair by law. But many still choose modest clothing because it feels respectful. It feels comfortable. It also feels easier in a hot climate. And it helps avoid extra attention. Following the Saudi Arabian dress code also helps them blend in without feeling overwhelmed.
Women feel most comfortable wearing long, loose dresses or long skirts with roomy tops. These clothes keep the body cool. They hide the body’s shape, which matches local expectations. They also make walking around malls, souks, heritage sites, and museums much easier. When clothes are loose, air flows. Sweat feels less sticky. The sun burns less. And people think calmly in public.
Shoulders must stay covered. Knees must remain covered. Arms can show a bit below the elbow but not above. Legs should not show above the ankle area unless the outfit is very flowy. Tight tops, short tops, mini skirts, strap dresses, or low necklines do not match the dress code. These pieces feel too revealing.
Women do not need to cover their hair. They can walk freely in public with their hair open. Some places require a scarf, such as mosques or religious sites. Sometimes a scarf feels useful if the woman feels stared at. Sometimes it helps with the sun. It is just a good extra thing to carry, like sunglasses or a water bottle.
Women should avoid anything tight. Tight leggings without a long top. Tight jeans without hip coverage. Transparent fabric. Low necklines. Strap tops. Rude words printed on clothing. Bold political messages. These things are not banned by law, but they feel wrong for the culture.
Men also follow modest rules. They are easy for UK travellers to follow. They also help men blend into local culture with respect.
Just as women must cover their shoulders and knees, men must as well. That means no tank tops. No sleeveless shirts. No typical UK-style summer shorts in public. Shorts feel normal in the UK. But not in Saudi Arabia. Men do not wear them in daily life. So tourists wearing shorts might feel out of place.
Loose trousers or casual slacks feel respectful. This makes walking around malls, restaurants, markets, and old towns feel comfortable. Jeans are okay too, but loose fits feel nicer in the heat.
A collared shirt or a plain T-shirt helps men look respectful. Nothing with rude jokes. Nothing with political messages. And nothing too tight. And nothing too loud. Just simple clothing that blends in quietly.
Men should avoid wearing tank tops, gym vests, beach shorts, and swimwear in public areas. Swimwear only belongs at hotel pools or private resort beaches. Wearing these items outside pool areas will feel strange. It will also attract awkward stares.
Saudi Arabia follows a Public Decency Law. It is just a simple rulebook that asks people to dress with respect. These rules are common sense. They help everyone feel comfortable in shared spaces.
Another thing to remember is that private spaces feel different. Hotels feel relaxed. Resorts feel relaxed. Private compounds feel relaxed. Many visitors swim in bikinis at high-end resorts. Many relax by the pool in comfortable clothing. But the moment someone steps into a public corridor, lobby, or street, the dress code reverts to modest attire.
Public affection is also not common in Saudi Arabia. Couples usually avoid hugging, kissing, or holding hands in public spaces. This is not a criticism. It is part of the culture. Visitors follow the same approach to stay respectful.
In business settings, wearing conservative clothing becomes important. Not traditional Saudi clothing. Just conservative. A long skirt with a long-sleeved top works for women. A shirt and trousers work for men. Nothing flashy. Nothing very casual. People appreciate effort.
These examples help travellers feel confident. They show how simple the clothing choices can be.
These outfits keep everything respectful. They also look stylish in travel photos. So travellers get the best of both worlds.
Different cities feel different. And tourists notice the shift.
Jeddah feels relaxed. It is coastal and artistic. People dress more creatively. Foreign women sometimes skip the abaya. They wear modest Western clothes. The vibe feels inclusive. The city is full of food spots, cafés, and art areas where visitors feel comfortable.
Riyadh feels mixed. Modern in some places. Traditional in others. Shopping malls feel fashionable. Museums feel calm. Old markets think conservatively. Women who wear a loose abaya feel comfortable everywhere. Women who skip the abaya should opt for more modest clothing.
AlUla feels like a tourist bubble. People ride around heritage sites. People go hiking and wear sporty, modest outfits. Many travellers skip abayas. Light long dresses and sporty long trousers feel perfect.
Smaller towns feel more traditional. More stares. More curiosity. Nothing dangerous. Just culturally different. Wearing an abaya in these areas helps women feel more comfortable. Even a lightweight colourful one works. Men simply stay in long trousers and shirts.
Packing for Saudi Arabia sounds tricky at first. We understand why. These packing tips help visitors feel confident. And they help travellers avoid buying random things at the last minute. Before your flight to Saudi Arabia, double-check what’s in your suitcase. Packing light but modestly makes airport transitions and arrivals smoother, especially when you’re tired from travel.
The best things to pack are linen, cotton, and rayon. These feel gentle on the skin. They allow air to move. They do not trap heat. This makes walking outdoors easier.
Packing loose trousers, long skirts, and wider tops makes sense. Loose clothing also works in malls where the air conditioning can be icy. It balances both temperatures.
Long tops do not need to be fancy. They can be simple shirts, tunics, or lightweight jackets. Long tops pair well with jeans, trousers, or long skirts. And they work with abayas if the traveller decides to wear one.
Travellers walk a lot in Saudi Arabia, especially in places like Jeddah’s historic district or Riyadh’s museums. Shoes need to feel soft. They need to support the feet. They need to handle heat on ground surfaces. Simple trainers, flat sandals, or soft walking shoes work well. Heels do not work for exploring. Flip-flops only work at hotel pools.
Saudi Arabia feels hot outside. But malls, restaurants, and hotel lobbies feel cold because of strong air conditioning. Packing one or two light layers helps. A small cardigan. A thin jacket. And a loose long-sleeved shirt. These pieces keep travellers warm indoors without causing heat outdoors.
Evenings in Saudi Arabia feel warm, but not as hot as during the day. So travellers enjoy dressing a bit nicer. Packing one or two long dresses for women or slightly dressier shirts for men works well. These help with dinners, events, or strolls along waterfront areas.
If travellers plan to visit luxury resorts or hotel pools, they need swimwear. Women can pack bikinis for resort pools because rules vary and some hotels allow them. But it helps to also pack a modest swim outfit such as a swim shirt or leggings in case the pool area has more visitors or mixed expectations. Men should pack swim shorts for pool areas only. Neither should wear swimwear outside pool areas.
Saudi Arabia welcomes visitors with open arms, and the dress code helps everyone feel comfortable in public spaces. It is not meant to scare anyone, and it is definitely not meant to restrict anyone. It is a cultural guideline that keeps spaces respectful and calm for residents and tourists who share them.
For many travellers, whether it is a family visit, a cultural trip or an Umrah journey, modest dressing becomes more than a rule. It is part of the experience. A simple way to blend in, to feel present and to show quiet respect.
This guide helps readers see that dressing modestly does not limit their style. They can still look good. Modest clothing can be stylish, colourful, flowy, airy, and beautiful. Once travellers understand this, the trip becomes smooth and enjoyable. Saudi Arabia is safe, friendly, and rich in culture, and following the dress code is simply one way to show appreciation for the place, the people, and the traditions.
Not at all. Locals wear thobes and abayas, but tourists can wear modest Western clothes. Just keep it loose, light, and respectful.
Yes, jeans are fine. Just make sure they’re not tight. Pair them with a long top or loose shirt to stay comfy and respectful.
Yes. Bright colours are fantastic. Local women often wear black abayas, but tourists can wear any colour as long as their outfits remain modest. Bright colours even look great in photos, as they contrast with the sandy buildings.
Yes. Women should wear an abaya and a headscarf. Men need long trousers and a proper shirt. Some places offer cover-ups at the door.
No. Inside hotels and resorts, things feel more relaxed. But once you step outside into public spaces, modest clothing still matters.
Not exactly. Children have more flexibility. Local people understand that kids dress differently. But packing modest clothes for children still helps them blend in and feel more comfortable.
