Dress Code

Light summer clothing is ideal for most of the year. Light woollens may be needed for the cooler evenings. The dress code for visitors in Muscat is fairly liberal but extremely revealing and inappropriate clothing can be considered offensive.

National dress

Omani men: Omani men wear a simple, ankle-length, white collarless gown with long sleeves called the dishdasha. It is usually worn in white, although there are other colour variations to it too. It is also adorned with a tassel (furakha) that is sewn into the neckline and quite often infused with perfume. The shal, a long strip of finely woven woollen or cotton fabric, acts as a holder for the khanjar (a silver, hand-crafted knife or dagger). Khanjar plays an important role in Men’s clothing. A symbol of courage and manhood, Khanjar is a must have accessory in any festivals and public gathering.

Omani women: Omani women's dresses vary from region to region. These are elaborately embroidered and colourfully designed. It includes a dress worn over trousers (haaf) and a head-dress, called the lihaf or hijab. Some Omani women, complete their look with luxuriant jewelry worn on the head, neck, wrists, ankles, fingers and toes. Traditional Omani women prefer wearing a long tunic called Kandoorah with hand stitched embroidery along the sleeves. With women getting along with the fast paced world, Abhaya is their perfect dress code. It is a long cloak worn over their own choice of clothing. Women love to use perfumes and don’t mind shelling out a huge sum to buy one.