Abidjan - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
West Africa in general is pretty conservative. Professional attire at the embassy is standard. There are few formal events, mainly just the Marine Corps ball. Outside of work the climate is low 70s to high 80s year round, with a chance of rain at some point in the day. - Mar 2021
CDI as with all of West Africa have lovely material called Pagne that they use to make outfits and many people (expat and otherwise) wear a full dress of this to work. Others where western professional wear. As with most of Africa dress is more formal that casual. - May 2020
Ivorians tend to be quite formal at work (think suits for men, and the equivalent for women, or elaborate local outfits). - Feb 2020
Professional attire is expected at the embassy. Suits. Ties for men. Casual on the weekends. Formal dress only for balls. - Mar 2017
At work - business, business-casual. After work - women will want cute going-out outfits. Get natural fibers (you will be sweating). Hit cheaper places like H&M so if that adorable top gets ruined (very likely) you won't feel bad. - Jun 2009
The Embassy is not overly formal. Men do not generally wear suits at the office, though for representational events, they are required. Women wear anything from upscale casual to suits. In public, you can see all types of clothing. Women are generally not harassed on the street; however, Cote d'Ivoire is nearly 50% Muslim, so appropriate attire is appreciated. - Jan 2009
