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Modest Dressing Advice

Dawn

(website)

Hi all! It's been a while since I logged in here, and there have been some changes in my life recently. As some of you probably remember, I was searching for a job ever since I graduated last September and I eventually was offered a year long contract as a history and social studies teacher starting in August. However the position is not in Ireland and I am moving to the Middle East.

The school where I'll be working has warned me about the conservative dress code in the Emirate. I shall have to keep my shoulder, chest and above my knees covered completely even when playing sports, and the dress code in the school is business formal. Outside of work, my smart casual clothes have to be modest.

I have a strong element of bombshell in my personal style, and have never lived in a hot country. I want to retain the preppy, retro aspect of my personal style and, of course, be professionally dressed for work, so I guess some inspiration for a more modest but visually interesting personal style would be great. Some advice on dressing in heat above 80F would also be very welcome.

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from Sarah

amyreh

(website)

Veteran

Oh wow, what an interesting opportunity. I would suggest lots of cotton dresses I think! How much of your chest needs to be covered? All the way up to your neck? I would think you could find some shift dresses that would do that, and then a light cotton cardigan could work for over them if you needed extra coverage. For sports maybe walking shorts and short sleeve crew neck tees? Perhaps you could also do some cotton blouses with cute jewelry and knee length skirts.

Queen Mum

Veteran

I don't have much advice, but just wanted to say congratulations! What an incredible adventure and opportunity. I think Amy is probably right on about cotton dresses. So, are you saying no sleeveless? cap sleeves?

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Wow- congrats on this incredible adventure Dawn!
Dressing for both heat and modesty will be a trick- look for natural fibers in lightweight fabrications. You would look adorable in fuller skirted dresses and skirts at just below the knee length.

Aida

Veteran

Sounds like a fun opportunity! I would say no sleeveless nor cap sleeves. Natural fibers will be best with the heat so they are breathable; flowy type styles will probably be most comfortable. For chest coverage I would say no deep v or scoop necklines, but crew neck or shallower v should be fine. Long walk shorts sound great, as well as longer skirts/dresses (good thing midis are trending). Inside areas are going to be cooler, so light cardigans/jackets will be handy.

Keep in mind that if you have a lot of form-fitted, bombshell clothing you will get comments/stares; could be fine, just be prepared for it. I was in Dubai/Abu Dhabi several years ago for a conference and wore a pantsuit that was fitted with heels and a bright fitted top underneath, and got a lot of looks. Even being of Middle Eastern descent

Dawn

(website)

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about my upper arms as well. I have to cover to my elbows as well. I have to cover up as far as my collarbones.

So far, I'm thinking a nice small capsule wardrobe with a couple of more expensive dresses from somewhere like ShabbyApple, walk shorts for casual wear, midi skirts, sandals and silk blouses. However, seeing as I will have to buy a completely new wardrobe, it's a good opportunity for my style to grow.

MsMaven

Veteran

This sounds like a wonderful adventure. If you Google "modest dressing for women" you will find a ton of websites geared for your needs. Many of them are religiously oriented.

Unfortunately it is hard to find even a dress that has some sleeves and reaches the knees. Maybe with the longer lengths there will be something later--but you won't want fall clothes. Do you sew or know anyone who could make dresses for you?

Queen Mum

Veteran

and I would imagine that once you get there, the stores should be stocked with lots of appropriately modest clothing... no?

rosee

Veteran

I definitely recommend Shabby Apple -- they have some nice stuff and it is considered "modest " in most circles.
I wear a lot of ballet-neck 3/4-sleeve t-shirts, so consider those (the collar dips a little lower than a boatneck but not as wide). Mexx, Land's End and I believe Gap had some recently.
Skirts may be more practical than dresses but have both handy. Lots of below-knee skirts around these days (I found designer labels thrifting).
What's the rule on wearing pants there? A slightly looser style may be appropriate, as opposed to skinnies.

Aida

Veteran

Pants should be fine, and are worn by many women there

krishnidoux

Veteran

You need before all covering clothes in breathable materials, i.e. materials you can sweat in. I would go to an athletic store and get some basic items for day-to-day life and travel, choosing the ones that preferably cover neckline, shoulders and arms to the forearms, body, legs.
Also invest in a sun hat with large brims and good sunscreen because even minimal sun exposition will be very powerful.

Buy most items before leaving, as you will find a lot of the clothing shops very expensive there. Be prepared for the shock.

Here are some cool blogs to inspire you in your modest style:

http://hijabrevival.blogspot.com/
http://www.breathehijab.com/
http://www.hijabshigh.com/
http://www.hijab-scarf.com/p/style-photos.html

Alecia

Veteran

Dawn! It's so good to see you post. This does sound like an exciting opportunity. I hope you'll post a few outfits here and there to update us on your style evolution. I don't really have much to add to the discussion, but think Amy's suggestion about sheath dresses is a good one. If I were in this position, I think I'd get a small capsule and then think long and hard about accessories to bring out the elements of my style that couldn't be expressed in the clothes.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

How exciting Dawn, congrats!!! I think there will be a lot of great shopping once you are there, but agree it is a good idea to get a good headstart on a few key items before you go. I was looking at the Boden catalogue this morning and noticed alot of their dresses had quite modest, high necklines and are knee length. Have you had a look through their website recently?

Please do keep us updated with your exciting adventures!!!

Maya

Veteran

Wow, congratulations Dawn. This is very exciting.

Aside from dresses, all things linen and lots of lightweight elbow and 3/4 sleeve cardis should do it.

I'm not sure that some discomfort can be avoided given the heat and the modesty restrictions. I always keep a frozen bottle of water for drinking, a spray bottle of lavender water, and a fan with me when it gets unbearably hot and that certainly helps.

Patty

Veteran

What an adventure!!!!!!!!!
I know H&M have a store there--maybe you can check some of your favorite chain stores on-line and see if they have a Dubai site--see what they're wearing and what's available.

Add:
I'm posting this write up on Photoshopping H&M models ONLY as an example of modified for modesty clothing---and not to make a stink about modifying for advertisement or anything else-----and it's where I read that there is an H&M in Dubai that can be checked out =+)
http://thedemoiselles.com/arch.....i#comments

Jyoti

(website)

Veteran

Another idea is to go for cotton/linen tunics/kurtas or maybe even salwar kameez if a lot of people wear them there? I'm not quite sure what people wear in UAE, but I do know there are a lot of Indians there. I know that Indian people are generally quite conservative as well (probably not to the same degree) and I would always wear super tight salwar kameez and it would be fine. xD

Maxi dresses and skirts would also probably not make you too hot and would be right on trend!

londonkiwi (now back in NZ)

Veteran

Fantastic opportunity! I have friends who are currently living in Qatar - they have 3 children and some hilarious culture clash stories.

Uniqlo do a range of clothing that offers UV protection, including some very lightweight cardigans.

PS - fantastic jewel shopping to be had!

Louise

Veteran

Wow what an adventure! How about a midi skirt? x

Melissa

Dawn, I have been thinking about this since you posted. My initial reaction was baffled sympathy--this is a significant fashion challenge, and I have no idea how I'd cope with it.

But as I've been thinking, it's occurred to me that your approach may depend on your own personal level of comfort with scrutiny and disapproval versus your commitment to your bombshell style. I also tend to wear form fitting clothes, but think I'd be really freaked out by wearing them in an environment where they attracted negative attention. Only you can say how this will affect you, and you may not know for sure until it happens.

To me, it's sort of a cultural norm thing. I mean, here in the states, we would react very differently to someone who walked around without pants than we would to someone who was dressed in a way that fits with our perceptions of normal. What I'm trying to say is that if you get there and find that form fitting clothes alter the baseline perception of you to the point where people are mostly reacting to your clothes instead of your fabulous self, it may be time for a change.

That said, however, it seems to me that there are some ways to wear fitted looks that fit with the requirements you posted. Something like this, for instance, is fitted and flattering, but has elbow sleeves and a higher neckline. It's a little short, but I seem to remember that you are petite, and there might be some hem available to let out. Anyway, just to give you an idea of what I'd have in mind if I wanted to wear a dress in those circumstances:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ca.....n=category

Congratulations on the job, and good luck with the new style!

eta: shirtdresses!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/t-.....n=category

Freckles

Veteran

My Uncle is a professor at a University in Oman and I would suggest staying away from style and absolutely no bombshell while at work. The dress code isn't loosely interpreted and anything deemed sexual will get you bad reviews and perhaps expulsion from your job. They take the dress code very seriously and it is not like loosening up a norm in other parts of the world. Even outside the school you are a representative of them. Perhaps the best bet is to talk to another female teacher at the school and get some advice...

Sarah

How exciting! Congrats! I was out of college for 2 years before I got a teaching job so I know how frustrating that can be! You'll love teaching so much you won't be so upset about the change in your style, mine changed a lot when I started teaching just based on what I was able to wear in the classroom.