If you're looking for a job in the Middle East, then you've probably started to think about how your wardrobe is inevitably going to change. The weather in the Middle East is significantly warmer than in the UK and you may have thought about how the cultural dress is very different to Europe.
There is no expectation that teachers should wear a traditional thobe. Indeed, in international schools in the Middle East, many prefer their members of staff to wear typical western dress, and some prefer their female teachers not to cover their heads.
For women, the general expectation will be that shoulders and the very tops of the arms should be covered, and necklines need to be round neck, rather than scoop. Skirt length should be no shorter than a few inches above the knee.
For men, the general expectation will be that a shirt will be worn, with a tie.
Schools are typically air conditioned so you won’t find that your clothing in school is impacted by the higher temperatures.
If you’re doing a Skype interview for a post, then it is a good idea to ensure that you're dressed in line with the above guidelines.
Four tips for dressing for work
1. Don't rely on the malls
Despite there being a mall on every corner, clothes shopping isn’t as easy as you would think. Not only are there fewer options in shops but the prices in the Middle East are much higher than in the UK. Sometimes expats will use a service where they order items to a UK address and then have them shipped over in a bundle. However, this makes returns and exchanges almost impossible.
2. Make the most of layers
For women, many dresses or tops rule themselves out because of their shoulder straps. You might look at your existing work wardrobe and think much of it won’t be useable if you move. However, it is really easy to add a lightweight shrug, or wrap around a pashmina to make it wearable for work.
3. Stick to natural fabrics
In the heat, man-made fabrics can cling and make you perspire more. Checking item descriptions and hunting down pure cotton dresses and shirts will pay off later.
4. Using search phrases
Searching for clothes and clothing bloggers using the phrase “modest fashion” will bring up lots of options. Some shops, such as H&M, have launched special “modest clothing” lines for the summer. Many bloggers and you tubers share their “modest clothing” hauls from high-street shops. Following the dress code doesn’t have to mean you need to compromise on your own individual style.
Ready to move on? Check out the latest UK and international teaching jobs.