Chic but conservative clothing for the Middle East

February 16, 2019 8:29 AM

Hi, all-- I'm going on a 3-week trip to the Middle East--Jordan, the West Bank, and Saudi Arabia--and I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR.

I'm in my thirties, Arab-American, grew up in the states. While Jordan and the West Bank are actually NOT that conservative, my extended family is moderately religious and most women are wearing hijab +/- abaya. (I am NOT religious at all, and neither is my nuclear family.)

So: I want to dress conservatively mainly just to be respectful to family. And also because I just don't need the staring at my very tight American jeans when I'm at the market. But I'm also vain and want to look good, and also want any additions that I'll buy for the trip to also be something I would wear back here in the States, whether for work (physician, in outpatient setting) or play.

So: chic + conservative. I'm looking for recs on certain types of clothing; certain styles; stores/brands I should look at; and if you've got links to specific pieces I would love that too.

Oh--and temp will be around the 50s-60s for the time I'm there.

(Also, in Saudi Arabia I'll just do whatever the law/culture tells me to do. Not concerned about being chic there.)

Thank you!!

posted by namemeansgazelle to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (15 answers total)

Are you near a Uniqlo? The Hana Tajima collection is aimed at this market.
posted by crush at 8:32 AM on February 16, 2019 [7 favorites]

There was a post on r/femalefashionadvice a year or so ago that addressed this exact problem, and did it SO WELL that I still reference the post for inspiration. Perhaps you could also benefit from looking it over? the links to many of the exact items in the comments have probably expired at this point but finding similar pieces is pretty easy, as it's all a well-done remix of good basics.
posted by DSime at 8:48 AM on February 16, 2019 [3 favorites]

Seconding the Hana Tajima suggestion. Also, Eileen Fisher might have some basics?
posted by stillmoving at 9:01 AM on February 16, 2019

Response by poster: The Hana Tajima line looks so perfect, but says it will be available at end of March (a week after I leave, sadly).
posted by namemeansgazelle at 9:23 AM on February 16, 2019

Not sure where you are, but you might want to search for “contemporary modest fashion.” I get a bunch of similar styles that way.
posted by stillmoving at 10:13 AM on February 16, 2019

Shukr Islamic Clothing might have some pieces that work for you. I have a couple of their light-weight tunics for sun protection and easily adding coverage to my regular clothes when traveling in conservative areas. I do find some of their clothes to be cut too loose for my taste, others have a more tailored fit.
posted by 4rtemis at 11:13 AM on February 16, 2019

Have you checked Chico's? They cater to adult women (maybe even older women) and have lots of styles that tread the line of having a more conservative cut that isn't too stuffy.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:17 AM on February 16, 2019

When I visited the UAE last year around this time, I got a lot of wear out of the relaxed and square silk shirts from Everlane. They cover a lot of skin and flow nicely; I paired them tucked in over wide-legged slacks and or loose over cigarette pants. Colorful scarves and good jewelry made me feel great. Basically I tried to imagine myself as Katherine Hepburn or mid-70s Lauren Hutton.
posted by minervous at 11:42 AM on February 16, 2019 [3 favorites]

50-60F is actually the perfect weather because you can get away with a lot of the same winter clothes you would wear at home. I have a bunch of nice looking maxi skirts from my trips to the region that look professional with a blazer, cardigan/sweater, or long-sleeve, high-collar top. These tie-up high-waist pants are also trendy and could work if you get a wider leg. You could also do something like this, this, or this. Maxi skirts are hard to find in certain seasons, and I don't know if this is the right season for them.

This is really a good excuse to splurge in the professional clothing sections of the stores where you normally shop. I got a bunch of surprisingly good stuff at H&M, but I think it might be out of season now that it's almost spring. Where do you normally shop? Maybe we can recommend similar looks.
posted by Penguin48 at 11:44 AM on February 16, 2019

Sorry about the problem with the links. I just corrected them.
posted by Penguin48 at 11:50 AM on February 16, 2019

Since I don't have family in the Middle East, my situation is a bit different, but I'll still offer my advice from extensive travels there, and also friends' advice and experience: don't overdo it. In my experience, no-one expects you to be all dressed up in local stuff, and may even find it weird if you do. Think modest and comfortable, rather than traditional. Even at home, I like a tunic and some wide, comfortable pants for comfort. In some places you will need scarves. Find some beautiful ones, actually I enjoy collecting them and wear them more French-style at home.
COS has tons of stuff that fits this mold and is also useful in a Western context.
posted by mumimor at 11:59 AM on February 16, 2019

Response by poster: Oh yeah—I was never gonna do traditional. That would be bizarre, even if I have family there and am Arab. I’m not planning to cover my hair. But my Southern California everyday look is too much skin and/or too form-fitting and/or too sexy around family. I am sure of that. But Cos is a great idea—thanks!

Also, re shopping: I like Everlane, somtimes Madewell. Otherwise it’s random designer stuff from the Real Real or Nordstrom Rack :)

Also all suggestions have been wonderful. Thank you!
posted by namemeansgazelle at 12:30 PM on February 16, 2019

Eileen Fisher.
posted by oceano at 12:15 AM on February 18, 2019

I'd def grab a scarf tho! like if you wanna see a mosque inside, they asked me to cover my hair to go in. Ditto with bare shoulders and dresses/skirts/shorts that cut off above the knee. Sandals are also easy to take off.

Rock some maxi skirts?
posted by speakeasy at 9:46 AM on February 18, 2019

forgot to add, Dina Torkia does a blog about modest fashion. Check her out!
posted by speakeasy at 9:54 AM on February 18, 2019