When traveling, it’s crucial to ensure you’re respecting the local culture and in many Middle Eastern countries, that means making sure you’re appropriately covered. There are a few things you’ll need to know about what to wear in Oman as a woman.

What to Wear in Oman as a Woman

Oman is a conservative country and Islam is the state religion, requiring men and woman to dress conservatively. As with many countries, what people do just on the street is vastly different from what’s expected in religious settings like mosques.

However, I found in Oman everyone dressed conservatively most of the time so I would advise you do as well.

Most women coming from the west seem to be generally pretty worried about what to wear in Oman, especially because what most of us know of Middle Eastern countries, the abaya seems to be the predominant piece of clothing for women.

With that being said, no one is going to say anything or make you feel out of place for wearing pants and a t-shirt. I found the Omani people incredibly kind, understanding and respectful and have never felt as safe in a country as I did in Oman.

What a Woman Should Wear Daily in Oman

So when you’re not visiting a religious site, what’s the norm when it comes to dressing yourself? My go-to was maxi dresses that covered my chest and shoulders – primarily out of respect but also because this kind of clothing will protect you from the harsh sun.


There are so many cute maxi dress options out there. I got the one above for about $15 on Amazon. Or you could pair long skirts with similarly appropriate tops – you don’t even need to go the full maxi length, but I would say covering your knees would be a safe choice. I didn’t feel the need to cover my elbows and I saw plenty of women around who also didn’t so wearing t-shirts is perfectly acceptable.

Another alternative to dresses and skirts are pants, either flowy or regular loose-fitting ones paired with a t-shirt or long sleeved shirt. I particularly favored a silk button up blouse with the sleeves rolled up. Silk is a great option because it’s so breathable and helps you stay cool.

One item you should bring with you almost everywhere you go is a lightweight scarf. These can be used to cover your head or shoulders if needed and it also offers a bit of extra warmth in any buildings with high air conditioning (although rare).

What a Woman Should Wear at the Beach in Oman

You should absolutely go swimming in Oman because it is a country filled with beautiful beaches and stunning wadis. However, this is the time to be more cautious. What we would consider appropriate swimming wear here in the west would be considered quite disrespectful in Oman.

With that being said, if you are on a beach that backs up to your hotel (or any hotel) or is in quite a touristy area, you’ll see plenty of women in bikinis and no one minds. It’s just become accepted as Oman brings in more tourists.

It is acceptable to wear shorts at the beach, but as soon as you leave the beach or swimming area, you should change back into your more modest daily attire.

What a Woman Should Wear at a Mosque in Oman

This is the one area of Oman where what a woman wears is strict and enforceable. You should absolutely follow all the rules that it states before you enter. Whether you agree with it or not, you are a guest in this culture and you should respect it as such.

When I visited the Grand Mosque in Muscat, I learned that I needed to have my elbows covered and therefore my maxi dress wasn’t going to cut it. I had to rent an abaya (also an adequate option) and I brought my own scarf to tie around my head.

The woman was immensely helpful and helped me tie the scarf around my head appropriately. To avoid needing to rent an abaya as I did, bring something to cover your head, cover your chest, shoulders, elbows and knees.

Unfortunately, my headscarf came a bit loose and I didn’t notice until after it had slid a little far back on my head. This is something to be wary of as it’s very easy for it to travel back and show a bit of your hair, something that’s not permitted – so learn from my mistake.

Final Items to Pack as a Woman in Oman

There are a few other things you should be prepared to pack to bring to Oman, even if it’s not directly related to what to wear in Oman as a woman.

You will definitely want a hat to protect your head and face from the sun, as well as sunscreen.

Don’t forget the sunglasses! The sun is extremely bright and it’s almost always out so you don’t want to leave these at home.

If possible, make sure everything you pack is breathable because it gets very hot in Oman and if you’re wearing cotton you’re going to feel hotter than with other more breathable fabrics such as linen, silk and rayon.

If you’re menstruating and prefer tampons, you may want to make sure to bring some with you. While you are likely to find these in some supermarkets and pharmacies in cities like Muscat, they won’t be as readily available in more regional areas of the country and won’t be as common as pads.

Flats or loafers are great options for footwear, especially when visiting mosques. Many will require your toes to be covered or go entirely barefoot, in both cases have an easy slip on, slip off shoe that’s comfy is the perfect solution.

Oman is one of the most welcoming countries I’ve ever been to so regardless of how you choose to dress, you’ll be sure to have a positive experience.