so what did you wear....

[Veiled Princess 1]

I am sure he will not feel hurt or mocked -- it's a perfectly reasonable question. He will understand that you want to be dressed properly for his culture, and most likely appreciate that you cared enough to ask.

Kuwait is very VERY used to foreigners. You do not have to dress as the Muslim women do or cover your hair or face. In general, you can wear Western-style clothes IF they are conservative -- pants or long dresses/skirts that fall WELL below the knee -- close to the ankle is better. Your sleeves should cover at least the elbow -- closer to the wrist is better. Forget the shorts and the short skirts and the tank tops -- NOT appropriate in this culture.

Do not wear tight, clingy or thin clothes that are in any way transparant. Do not wear extremely tight jeans -- and if you do wear jeans, combine them with longer shirts/sweaters that cover your rear end. Make sure your necklines do not show ANY cleavage -- above the collar bone is best. Short-sleeved T-shirts are probably not good for women to wear in this culture, as the cloth is very thin.

You can wear high heels if you like -- no problem with that. And a long coat or even raincoat is very handy, especially in fall/winter -- it will help cover you properly, but fashionably. Bring a couple of scarves -- you will need to cover your hair if you go into mosques, or in case you go into rural areas that are less used to foreigners. Or you can always buy some in the markets there.

But do ask your fiance. He will know best what is appropriate and expected of you in his country.

Try not to be afraid -- people in the Middle East are generally very nice. Just be open to new customs and new experiences. I hope it will be the trip of a lifetime for you !

-MK

Very well stated

[a1angied 0]

It was my first tiem travleing out of the United States and I went from New York straight to Amman Jordan. I had the stuff inmy bag to freshen up after 13 hours of flight, well I did get to wash my face and brush my teeth, that was it. I had stuff to change into but since the flight was full of kids didn't have much time in teh bathroom. I wore a nice pair of sweat liek pants a 3/4 sleave shirt tshirt like and slip on shoes with socks.I had 2 carryones and two big pices of luggage so after getting off the plane. It took an hour and 1/2 from landing, exchanging money, getting visa and through customs. Got my luggage and was trying to pull it when i seen him moving fast behind the very large crowd coming to me and talking very loudly with the sercuity man to allow him to come to help me with my luggae before I reached the place he could come to me, he was able to help me. So as soon as we got to the hotel I emptied my shower stuff set my clothes out and showered.

[morocco4ever 63]

All 3 times I went in sweats, but on my first trip I went into the bathroom to freshen up and change. I changed into a sundress, about mid calf, and about 4 inch heels. Not knowing for sure how tall my husband to be was, it was quite shocking as I towered over him.... No matter what, I still looked like death warmed over after 15 hours of flying. And my hair, that was nicely curled, turned into a mass of frizz upon stepping out of the plane.

I will never forget how I was looking over the mass of people wondering if he would look the same as he did on the webcam, and that maybe since it took a couple of hours to get my bags, that he would have given up and left. Up until that moment I was not in the least bit nervous, but then the doubts came to my head. Finally I heard my name faintly called, and there he was looking so handsome in a suit, but had the same nervous face that I am sure I was adorning...

Luckily when I took of the heels I could see that I am only a slight bit taller than he is, and of course that would have never made a difference anyway since I was already so much in love with him.

The next 2 visits it was like, "okay darlin, I have been flying for 15 hours and I look like He!!...deal with it".

[AngelK96 0]

Why dont' you ask Sami? I asked Usama what people wear and he said anything and everything though he'd prefer me to dress conservatively. I'm sure he'll know what the women can and cannot wear there.

I didn't want to hurt his feelings or him think i was making fun of him.

I am sure he will not feel hurt or mocked -- it's a perfectly reasonable question. He will understand that you want to be dressed properly for his culture, and most likely appreciate that you cared enough to ask.

Kuwait is very VERY used to foreigners. You do not have to dress as the Muslim women do or cover your hair or face. In general, you can wear Western-style clothes IF they are conservative -- pants or long dresses/skirts that fall WELL below the knee -- close to the ankle is better. Your sleeves should cover at least the elbow -- closer to the wrist is better. Forget the shorts and the short skirts and the tank tops -- NOT appropriate in this culture.

Do not wear tight, clingy or thin clothes that are in any way transparant. Do not wear extremely tight jeans -- and if you do wear jeans, combine them with longer shirts/sweaters that cover your rear end. Make sure your necklines do not show ANY cleavage -- above the collar bone is best. Short-sleeved T-shirts are probably not good for women to wear in this culture, as the cloth is very thin.

You can wear high heels if you like -- no problem with that. And a long coat or even raincoat is very handy, especially in fall/winter -- it will help cover you properly, but fashionably. Bring a couple of scarves -- you will need to cover your hair if you go into mosques, or in case you go into rural areas that are less used to foreigners. Or you can always buy some in the markets there.

But do ask your fiance. He will know best what is appropriate and expected of you in his country.

Try not to be afraid -- people in the Middle East are generally very nice. Just be open to new customs and new experiences. I hope it will be the trip of a lifetime for you !

-MK

Agreed with MK, wear conservative clothing and take a scarf along just in case. Also remember most of the buildings in the gulf countries are air conditioned, so if you been in air conditioned building for a long period of time you start getting cold. Have a nice trip.

[Ruthanne 0]

Make sure you make it good with whatever you choose you may be living in it for awhile. They lost my luggage so I got to wear the same clothes for several days straight. Thank goodness I carried on underclothing with me.

[MrsAmera 41]

I have a very good friend who is Kuwaiti and she dresses there (and here) just as any other American girl would. (she grew up in kuwait and her father is kuwaiti - mother american). I would say as long as you don't wear something overly revealing (i.e. cleavage, butt cleavage lol etc.) you should be just fine. When you get there and if you feel like you're "sticking out" go buy some stuff to mix and match with what you have. It's really the best way to go - esp. if you're unfamiliar with what to wear. But yea ask your fiance - I would say he won't be upset/offended --- and if he is....well there are going to be a lot bigger hurdles to cross as your relationship progresses!

[doodlebug 3]

Make sure you make it good with whatever you choose you may be living in it for awhile. They lost my luggage so I got to wear the same clothes for several days straight. Thank goodness I carried on underclothing with me.

My trip insurance covers me for I think $250 for the first 24 hours of lost luggage and I think goes up to a total of $1,000 so I'm actually kinda hoping I lose it since that's a big chunk of change in Egyptian pounds.

And my hair, that was nicely curled, turned into a mass of frizz upon stepping out of the plane.

Ok whoa...back up here....I was counting on that dry desert air so that I could have frizz free hair. What's up with the frizz action?

[mybackpages 0]

Ok whoa...back up here....I was counting on that dry desert air so that I could have frizz free hair. What's up with the frizz action?

Cairo has 70% humidity today. GEt a good haircut and don;t try to fight the hair. The hair always wins

[dollface41601 0]

I wore white yoga pants and a turqoise track jacket....i was sooo exhausted from flying, i couldnt care a less what i was wearing, or how i looked....lol....i lived in pajamas everyday on the webcam.....sofyan was use to it lol......but, as soon as we arrived to the apartment....i showered, and made sure i cleaned up real nice

[Mandi+Ryan 1]

I wore jeans, a t-shirt, and a light jacket. I had my hair in a pony-tail, no make-up on. I just freshened up right before getting off the plane. At the time I went, I was able to take ALL of my personal items in a carry-on bag. I had a 16 hour flight plus the 4 hour lay-over. So, by the time I got to India, I didn't care what I looked like, as long as I was clean and smelled good.

As for my man, when I got through security. I saw him at the VERY end of the terminal dressed up. He was going to surprise me with roses, but he was so excited to see me, he was jumping up and down with the roses in his hand. We barely talked, and held hands on the way home, and when we got there he asked to kiss me. I have NEVER seen him smile so much. Hehe.

Sorry for rambling on, but I wanted to share my experience...the best day of my life thus far.

[PalestineMyHeart 1,897]

Ok whoa...back up here....I was counting on that dry desert air so that I could have frizz free hair. What's up with the frizz action?

Cairo has 70% humidity today. GEt a good haircut and don;t try to fight the hair. The hair always wins

[doodlebug 3]

How does a desert have any humidity?

[UmmSqueakster 54]

How does a desert have any humidity?

I dunno, my lips always were cracked when I was in Cairo, and since i wear hijab, my hair is always a mess when I take off my scarf anyways, so I wouldn't know the different Thank God my husband is used to my messy hair and doesn't mind it.

One thing to worry about there though is pollution. It's nasty. If you sneeze, the stuff that comes out is black.

[mybackpages 0]

How does a desert have any humidity?

You are close enough to the sea to still feel the impact. To get to the arid desert you would have to go deeper into the Sahara. But then the desert winds could get your hair messed up

doodlebug, you are off to one great adventure next month

[Veiled Princess 1]

How does a desert have any humidity?

I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you... I'm laughing with you and only because I asked the same thing!

It still catches me off guard today when Yousuf tells me it's raining there or it's cold during the day or sends pics of green trees and grassy fields.... I'm like... But it's the dessert