Saudi Arabia, officially known as Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is well known for its holy Muslim cities Makkah and Al Madinah. Also, it is the largest Arabian State in Western Asia with a coastline circumvented by Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean and Red sea. As one of the largest Muslim nations on earth, Saudi Arabia strictly follows centuries old traditions and believes derived from Wahhabi form of Islam of the eighteenth century. This frames a set of legal and social check on individual’s behavior, dressing and living standards without any exception. The dressing sense or the moral dress code is also the result of the Islamic principle of modesty, the hijab and the Arabia’s desert climate. Men and women have unique modest dress codes for appearing in the public.
Traditional dress code for men includes the thawb, an ankle length garment made either in wool or cotton, along with cotton made keffiyeh, agal or ghutra worn on the head, aimed to protect from direct sunlight and blowing dust and sand. Prestigous occasions brings an addition to the dress code, the Bisht, a camel cloak worn over the traditional dress for a graceful appearance.
In honor of Saudi Arabian tradition a woman is not allowed to expose the body parts (awrah) except hand and eyes in public. In compliance to that, women are expected to wear the traditional dress covering head to feet. This includes, hijab, to cover the head, niqab to cover the face and the abaya, a black cloak to cover the body in length.
Saudi Arabian dress code for men and women is endeavored to achieve and promote Islamic piety, modesty, public decency and family tradition. Also, it stands to eradicate vice and immorality in society.
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