Muscat - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business. You can wear dresses if you are a female and it is not an issue. - Jan 2022
At work men usually wear slacks, a dress shirt and tie, and women wear slacks or a skirt and a nice top. Women don't wear revealing or tight clothes to work, usually, and Omani men and women wear a dishdasha or abaya, respectively. - Dec 2018
It's business casual. It really depends on your job! The Omani women mostly wear abayas and are covered and the men wear the traditional dishdasha. Within the expat community you don't have to worry too much; but if you go outside of that bubble women should cover their legs, chest and shoulders. - Feb 2018
The dress code is very conservative out in town. The rule for women is shoulders and knees covered at all times almost everywhere in the city. In some more expat-oriented neighborhoods you can get away with wearing a tank top and shorts or yoga pants, but if you want to be on the safe side, just avoid it. The embassy is business casual and the rule about the shoulders doesn't apply but still one should avoid wearing anything too short. If you want to travel out of town, the rules become even stricter. Generally a woman should try to avoid showing any skin- long shirts and pants, and at most a t-shirt, better long sleeve. - Aug 2017
Within the Embassy, typical American workplace attire of pants with blouses/shirts, dresses, or suits are acceptable. For meetings with local contacts, suits are more appropriate. Dress in public is conservative. Capri pants, knee length skirts, or long pants with a shoulder covering top for women and long shorts or pants for men. Outside of Muscat ladies' tops should be a little more conservative with 3/4 length sleeves. - Oct 2014
A little less formal than Europe, but not much American-casual is seen at work. Legs and shoulders usually remain covered by all but the children, except during athletic activities. - Jun 2012
I do not dress any differently here than I would in the US. If you are fond of daisy duke shorts and spaghetti strap tops, you might want to tone it down. Knee-length skirts and short-sleeve tops are fine for work. - May 2012
At work it is smart casual. You can wear shorts and tank tops in public but you will get looks. We are in a Muslim country, so you should dress accordingly. If you can't do that, then you should not come here. When going to the clubs, though, anything goes. - Feb 2011
There are no restrictions except when visiting the mosque. There you must wear a head cover and your legs and arms must be covered. Other wise you can have a bear head and wear shirts and shorts...I would recommend covering up shoulders and most of your legs though because otherwise you are just drawing attention to yourself. - Apr 2010
Coat and tie for men at work. Don't strut around in your shorts but you can as many tourists will walk around but it is a Muslim country. If you on the beach and a female in a bikini be prepared for the stares and not only from the men. - Feb 2010
Business casual at the embassy, but always with a jacket and tie at the ready. Off-hours, very casual. It's fine for expat men and women to wear shorts and t-shirts, no problem, but men may not wear the ubiquitous Omani dish-dasha, as this is considered disrespectful and condescending. - Jan 2010
Modest. Men - long docker pants, light weight short sleeve shirts. Women - long pants, long skirts, capris...cover elbows and knees. Children, for comfort...better to err on caution for older children. This is the land of the abaya and dishadash. - Mar 2009
It's dressier than you might imagine - suit and tie for business, and smart casual in any upscale restaurant. Conservative Western dress everywhere - no shorts off the beach, and at least short sleeves for both men and women. Some expats do dress down but Omanis will likely treat them (and will certainly think of them) accordingly. - Feb 2008
