Saudi Arabia has strict dress codes for women that prohibit them from wearing revealing or tight clothing in public. However, the exact rules vary somewhat depending on the situation and have been gradually relaxed in recent years. Here is an overview of whether women can wear skirts in Saudi Arabia in different contexts.
In Public Places
In public places like streets, malls, and parks, women are required to wear an abaya – a long, loose black robe that covers their entire body except for their face, hands and feet. Underneath the abaya, women are not permitted to wear skirts, dresses or anything else that reveals the shape of their body or shows any skin aside from their hands and feet.
The dress code is enforced by the religious police known as the mutaween. If they see a woman wearing something too revealing or form-fitting like a skirt, she may be reprimanded, fined or even arrested. In 2016 for example, a group of women were arrested for removing their abayas in public.
So in general, wearing a skirt in public places in Saudi Arabia is prohibited by law for Saudi women as well as female expats and visitors.
In Hotels and Compounds
Many hotels, private residential compounds and other places frequented by foreigners tend to be more relaxed about women’s dress codes. Inside these private spaces, foreign women and the Saudi women who work there are sometimes allowed to take off the abaya and wear skirts below the knee, pants or Western-style dresses.
However, the dress code can vary at different hotels and compounds. Some require women to be fully covered in abayas at all times in public spaces. Others allow women to wear a headscarf instead of an abaya, along with a conservative skirt or dress. Many also require women to put on more modest clothing like an abaya when male staff enter a room to deliver something.
So women may be able to wear longer, looser skirts inside hotels or private residential compounds in Saudi Arabia, as long as they adhere to those specific location’s dress code policies.
In Women’s Sections of Restaurants
Some restaurants in Saudi Arabia have special sections or rooms set aside for women and families, where the rules on dress codes are more relaxed. In these sections, women are often allowed to take off their abayas and headscarves and wear skirts, dresses or pants instead.
However, the skirts cannot be tight or short – they still need to extend down to at least below the knees. Some restaurants might prohibit skirts altogether and only allow conservative dresses or pants.
So women can potentially wear longer, looser skirts in women’s sections of restaurants, but should check each restaurant’s policies and dress accordingly.
At Women-Only Events
Saudi Arabia has been loosening restrictions on gender segregation, leading to the emergence of women-only concerts, conferences, sports tournaments and other events. At these women-only gatherings, attendees are allowed to take off their abayas and wear other outfits like skirts instead.
For instance, a women-only Arab Fashion Week was held in Riyadh in 2018 where models wore stylish skirts on the catwalk. Attendees also dressed up in trendy skirts and dresses.
However, there are still limits – skirts cannot be too tight or short, off-the-shoulder tops are discouraged, and clothes should still look elegant and conservative. Ultra-revealing outfits would be prohibited.
So at women-only events in Saudi Arabia, women generally have more flexibility to wear skirts, provided they meet modesty standards.
In the Presence of Close Male Relatives
When in the private company of close male family members like husbands, fathers, brothers, or sons, Saudi women can uncover their hair and wear clothes like skirts and dresses.
However, this is only permitted in fully private spaces like their own homes, not if there are non-family members around. Even male relatives must be direct family – distant cousins or in-laws for example would still be off-limits unless an abaya is worn.
So Saudi women are able to wear skirts without an abaya in front of their own mahram (male guardian), but only at home.
While Driving
Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on women driving in 2018. Legally, female drivers are still expected to wear an abaya and headscarf when behind the wheel. In practice though, many women have been driving without an abaya or headscarf since the ban was lifted.
Some are simply uncovered, while others wear hats or caps instead of a headscarf. There have been no reports of women being arrested or fined just for not covering their hair while driving.
However, women would likely not be permitted to drive in revealing clothing like mini skirts or sleeveless dresses. That could result in harsh penalties if caught.
So driving without an abaya seems to be tolerated now, but wearing a skirt that is overly short or tight could still get a woman in trouble.
While Traveling Abroad
When Saudi women travel abroad, they have much more freedom over what they can wear. Saudi laws and norms do not apply in other countries, so women can wear skirts, dresses, shorts, swimsuits, sleeveless tops and any other outfits of their choosing.
For instance, there were viral videos in 2019 of Saudi women wearing jeans and skirts at a concert in Bahrain and enjoying pool parties in Dubai. One Saudi social media influencer was criticized when she posted photos of herself in short dresses and pants in the Maldives.
However, what they wear abroad should not be too revealing or inappropriate. Overly tight or skimpy clothing could still lead to criticism and harassment on social media from more conservative Saudis.
So Saudi women can wear any skirts or other clothing they want overseas, but may face backlash if their outfits are seen as too immodest by people back home.
As Part of Official Reforms
Saudi Arabia has been implementing broad social reforms allowing women more rights and freedoms, as part of the Vision 2030 program introduced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. As part of these reforms, dress codes have been gradually relaxed.
For instance, tourism visas were introduced in 2019 that allow men and women to wear “modest” clothing in public. Female military recruits were first permitted to wear skirts instead of abayas under their uniforms in 2021.
The goal seems to be moving towards simply requiring “decent” dress for men and women, without necessarily mandating abayas and headscarves for women specifically. Skirts may be permitted as long as they are not too revealing.
So official reforms have opened the door for Saudi women to wear skirts in an increasing number of contexts, with more flexibility likely coming in the future.
Conclusion
In summary, women in Saudi Arabia generally cannot wear skirts in public places and are required to wear full-length abayas instead. Exceptions exist in certain private spaces like hotels, compounds, and women’s sections of restaurants where longer, looser skirts may be permitted. Women also have more flexibility to wear skirts at women-only events, at home with close male relatives, while driving, and when traveling abroad. As part of broader reforms, restrictions have been easing to allow women to wear modest skirts in an increasing array of contexts. However, overly short, tight or revealing skirts that do not meet cultural standards of decency are still prohibited countrywide.
| Location / Situation | Can Women Wear Skirts? |
|---|---|
| In public places like streets, malls, parks | No, abayas required |
| Inside hotels and compounds | Sometimes, if skirts are below knee & location permits it |
| Women’s sections of restaurants | Yes, if skirts are loose & below knee |
| Women-only events | Yes, if skirts are modest/not revealing |
| At home with close male relatives | Yes |
| While driving | Yes, if skirts are not too short/tight |
| When traveling abroad | Yes, but may draw criticism if too revealing |
| As part of official reforms | Yes, if skirts are “decent” and “modest” |
Future Outlook
With Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pushing forward reforms to open up Saudi society, rules around women’s attire are likely to keep becoming more flexible. The strict abaya mandate could gradually fade away in many contexts. Instead, a standard of simply dressing “modestly” in public may emerge, which could allow women to wear loose skirts that cover the knees, or potentially even pants in some areas.
However, the pace of change remains uncertain. More conservative elements of society are likely to resist moves deemed too liberal. There could be limits on where reforms are implemented, at least initially, such as in larger cities like Riyadh and Jeddah rather than more remote areas. There may also be conditions like reforms applying only to foreign women or women over a certain age. It’s unlikely skimpy mini skirts, short shorts or revealing dresses would be permitted anywhere in the near future.
So while Saudi women will likely gain more options in what they can wear in coming years, the evolution towards more progressive dress codes for women is expected to be gradual and uneven across the country.