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What do I wear?

Aberdonian abro...

2

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 11:19

Hello ladies, I'm packing for a pre-move visit before coming out in December and am not sure what to take with me. I know Qatar is quite conservative I don't want to offend anyone. Are sleeveless tops acceptable and what about shorts? I have read that knees have to be covered and the same with shoulders - it's all such a minefield.

Helpful advice please.
x

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453

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 06:05

When we moved here we were given guidelines for how to dress by my husband's employer that applied not only to him as an employee, but also to me as a spouse. We were told that women should have their knees and shoulders covered at all times when outside of the compound/living accomodations and that our cleavage should not be revealed. Yes -- you see people dressed in other manners when out and about, but they are truly the minority and you can see westerners and locals looking at them with disapproval. Yes it is a hot climate, but a few extra inches of fabric really will not make you feel any hotter. You just get good at knowing which fabrics "breathe" in this climate and which ones would simply be a waste of money because you'll never want to wear them here. :)

1326

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 22:52

I think the answers here have pretty much covered it (no pun intended). But I just want to add that IMHO Doha is definitely NOT Dubai. I was in Dubai over the weekend with a few girlfriends all from Doha, and we were shocked to see what some of the women were wearing when having dinner (buffet, nothing too fancy) at one of the hotels. Dresses so short that they were more like t-shirts -- barely reached the bottom of the underwear. They looked great -- but I would never expect to see anything quite that short in Doha.

362

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 18:22

You will see people wearing strapless tops and shorts in City Centre mall. That doesn't make it acceptable. Well Put :) Save those outfits for in your own home, together with strappy dresses. It's perfect excuse to invite girly friends round.

5

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 17:42

Cover shoulders, knees and chest (you can keep shawls or jackets in your car) Clothes should not be tight or transparent You'll earn locals respect and appreciation

Little Spoon61684

39

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 17:06

The last thing I want to do is to offend anyone, but one of the things that impacts most on the way I dress is how comfortable I feel. Even jeans and baggy t-shirt draws attention so a lot of the reasoning behind dressing more modestly, for me at least, is to try to minimise unwanted attention. That said, try not to worry too much. There a plenty of European clothes shops here so you can supplement your wardrobe if you feel the need. I discovered that leggings come in handy here, especially during Ramadan, when I first arrived, so ended up raiding H&M for every colour. You'll be able to do the same very easily if you need to.

331

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 16:39

There is a difference between what you can `get away with' and what is acceptable to wear, so you don't offend anyone. There are plenty of people who dress inappropriately in my opinion, but I expect they think they look fine! If you cover your knees and shoulders you won't offend anyone, so that is a safe guideline.

514

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 16:15

There isn't actually a "dress code law" in Qatar - the campaign that was held recently was an initiative of the Islamic Centre (Fanar) who were quoted in the paper as saying “We do not want to have a dress code law. We just want to educate people and then give them the freedom of choice." That being said you are in a culturally different place to home and the expectations here are different - while you might not be breaking the law showing lots of flesh you will possibly get lots of bad looks and maybe even be some verbal abuse (if you really get carried away). I am with Little Spoon however - I don't wear shoestring straps out in public without a wrap but I will wear sleeveless tops/dresses provided I'm pretty conservative on the lower half (I don't really have to worry about short shorts or anything like that as even the westerners would be disgusted if I did! :) And also there are more traditional places like the souk where I wouldn't even wear sleeveless.). Other than 6 years ago when I was a newby and got caught out having to rush into a shop in shoestring straps and no wrap I've never had a local or otherwise give me any grief on my clothes.

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 14:18

That'll be fine Aberdonian. It might help to remember that you won't be out in the heat that much. When it's hot outside, you'll spend a lot of your time insite and often the AC can mean the actual problem is keeping warm!

Aberdonian abro...

2

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 13:56

Thank you for your comments. It's obviously difficult to know what to take from UK where (almost) anything goes, but I'm not really one for showing too much anyway. I have cropped trousers, maxi and shorter dresses and cardigans to cover up. Hopefully that will be acceptable. I'm sure after a while of being out there I will get used to it. :)

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 13:32

Agreed Joyce. The dress code in Qatar is pretty clear - cover shoulders and knees. There's even been a campaign on this recently. You will see people wearing strapless tops and shorts in City Centre mall. That doesn't make it acceptable.

1236

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 12:47

You always get the folk who think that the dress code doesn't apply to them. I can remember a very attractive middle aged woman who always wore short dresses and high heels with everything on show and lots of other women wearing strappy tee shirts and short skirts in the malls and down at the Pearl.

Little Spoon61684

39

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 12:28

In my opinion, whilst it's not as relaxed as Dubai you don't have to be completely conservative. If I wear a shorter skirt however (knee length or just above the knee) I don't bare my arms at the same time. I tend not to wear vests, but have worn sleeveless shirts and dresses and felt perfectly comfortable. I think you just need to make sure you don't show too much at the same time, so make sure you're arms are covered if your legs are out or vice versa. I always carry a shawl or cardigan with me (partly because of aircon), but also to ensure I don't offend.

616

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 11:32

Please don't just wear the same things you would wear in Dubai. As you've already said you need to cover shoulders and knees so no to shorts or sleeveless tops. That said, there are plenty of places where it's perfectly acceptable to wear whatever you want - you'll be fine on any Western (or Lebanese!) school or nusery pickup for example. However, I'd always bring a way of covering up (eg a shawl) with you in case you breakdown or end up having to get out on the road in the middle of nowhere for some reason.

10

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 October 2012 - 11:20

Qatar is not that conservative, so you can wear same things that u did in Dubai, its not like Saudi Arabia, so dont worry about it :)

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