In essence, this publication designed for the foreign residents of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a guide for proper behaviour. The Society's publication stresses proper dress for females, although it also touches upon male attire as well. Women may not, for instance, wear shorts or short dresses in public, nor may the female figure be emphasized or delineated. Long loose fitting clothes for females are a compulsory requirement. This is best achieved with the Abbaya, a big black cloak which covers you from head to toe and conforms to the requirements of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Proper attire is important for men as well.
Tight trousers and shirts and any type of shorts are discouraged. Sadly, not all foreign residents in Saudi Arabia pay attention to the dress requirements. A visitor to the souks may see many non-Saudis dressed in complete disregard to the standards mentioned earlier. Some Western Nationalities ignore the standards of dress, which result in the Saudi authorities getting a bad impression of all Western expatriates. Private dress within the confines of the home of compound is more relaxed and the dress for social occasions may vary.