Thursday’s TPS Report: Silk blend streamers cardigan

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Our daily TPS reports suggest one piece of work-appropriate attire in a range of prices. Silk blend streamers cardiganWe like this silk-blend streamers cardigan, which is part of the 25% off online-only sale on regular-priced merchandise that Banana Republic is having today. We particularly like the way the beige cardigan looks with beige pants — it's a very polished, together look, but it has a casual, non-suit vibe. It's $79.50 at full price ($59.62 with code BRSUNNYDAY). Silk blend streamers cardigan Seen a great piece you'd like to recommend? Please e-mail editor@corporette.com with “TPS” in the subject line. (L-1)

Sales of note for 2/14/25 (Happy Valentine's Day!):

  • Nordstrom – Winter Sale, up to 60% off! 7850 new markdowns for women
  • M.M.LaFleur – Save up to 25% on select suiting, this weekend only
  • Ann Taylor – Up to 40% off your full-price purchase — and extra 60% off sale
  • Banana Republic Factory – 50% off everything + 15% off (readers love their suiting as well as their silky shirts like this one)
  • Boden – 15% off new season styles
  • Eloquii – 300+ styles $25 and up
  • J.Crew – 40% of your purchase – prices as marked
  • J.Crew Factory – 50% off entire site and storewide + extra 50% off clearance
  • Rothy's – Final Few: Up to 40% off last-chance styles
  • Spanx – Lots of workwear on sale, some up to 70% off
  • Talbots – Flash sale ending soon – markdowns starting from $15, extra 70% off all other markdowns (final sale)

And some of our latest threadjacks here at Corporette (reader questions and commentary) — see more here!

Some of our latest threadjacks include:

111 Comments

  1. Maybe it’s the way it looks with this dress, but it seems sloppy to me.
    I do like the white & beige color combination though — so fresh & summery.

    1. Agree — but too much beige gives off a nursing home vibe (think velcro-ed beige shoes worn by the 80-and-over set)

  2. FYI (repost from last night’s thread)- http://www.calvinklein.com/home/index.jsp is having a 40% off all apparel sale today. Use coupon welcome1021 and you get an extra 20% on top of that. For some reason the 40% off didn’t “take” in Firefox, but it worked in Internet Explorer FYI.

    1. Thanks for the heads up! The coupon didn’t work in Firefox for me either, but it worked in Safari :)

  3. Threadjack. I have extremely sensitive skin, and am prone to heat rashes and sunburn easily. The skin on my neck and chest is especially delicate, and when I get a heat rash, putting sunscreen on it irritates it. I am looking for high-necked tunics in a breathable, natural fabric that could be worn over another shirt on my walk to and from work and would not look too ridiculous worn on the street with a skirt. All the swim coverups I have found are low-cut. Any suggestions on where to look?

    1. Athleta had some rash guards; they are not “natural fabrics” but they do have an SPF of 50, and none of them were low necks (one was actually a hoodie, I think). I also found SPF 50 button-up shirts at REI that were cheaper and had collars and long sleeves.

      1. Yeah, I did look at Athleta. The thing is that rash guards are nylon blend and designed to be worn in the water, but I think it would get very, very hot wearing one not in the water. I might try one, though. And the REI suggestion is great – I didn’t even think of looking there, thanks!

        1. I avoid sun exposure like my life depends on it, and I wear big scarves around my head and neck. These are nice because you can just take them off when you get to work, and it doesn’t look ridiculous because in all honesty, I could be mistaken for a Muslim woman anyway.

          1. I usually wear a big hat to shield my face, so not sure that would work with a scarf too, but that’s another good idea. Thanks!

    2. Have you tried stores that cater to religious Jews or Muslims? I can’t speak for Muslims, but religious Jewish women often have to cover up their collarbones (depending on how religious they are) so there may be a market for what you’re describing. I just googled “jewish modest clothing” and tons of sites came up.

        1. Also, you might want to try powder sunscreens, like Bare Escentuals. I have very sensitive skin as well and have found them very helpful.

          1. Does it stay on ok even when you’re sweaty? That’s always my concern about powders. I also can’t use the natural sunblock (as opposed to chemical sunscreen) because the smell of zinc or titanium dioxide triggers headaches and nausea. I’m really just not cut out to live in a sunny place.

          2. Mineral makeup has zinc and titanium dioxide, so you might want to skip Bare Escentuals. The bismuth in it makes me feel like I fell head-first into a poison ivy bush.

      1. If you have Indian clothing stores in your area, look there. A cotton kurta is exactly what you need. You can also order them online, but sometimes it’s hard to predict quality that way. I wear lots of kurtas. I have also spent a lot of time looking at Muslim women’s websites and have not found them to have a reasonable selection for a professional woman who does not wear a headscarf.

        1. I second this. I’ve spent a fair amount of time on “modest” women’s clothing sites, and they won’t help you. The selections are dowdy enough that it will make you look unfortunate. (Please note that that doesn’t mean modest women are dowdy, just what those-in-power offer!)

          NYC used to have a bazaar in Chinatown that sold flowy, bohemian skirts for super super cheap. They were often long enough that you could wear them as strapless dresses if you belted them! I would go once a year when I was in town and pick up several, but the bazaar sadly closed with the economy’s crash.

          Indian clothing is perfect for hot weather — that is, of course, what it’s designed for! At street fairs there’s also usually at least one woman selling repurposed saris that have been made into wraparound skirts: they’re gorgeous and lightweight, what more could you ask for?

        1. In a pinch, you could always get a big cotton or silk wrap and wrap it all around yourself.

        2. You might also want to try googling “sunscreen clothing” – my mom has ordered some things with success (I think, via a quick googling, it might be http://www.solumbra.com though I am not sure). There are lots of tunics/overshirts/jackets out there made for the express purpose of being worn in the hot sun.

          1. Second on Solumbra. I have a zip-up hooded “jacket” from Solumbra, but it’s so incredibly lightweight I can wear it all summer. I’ve had it for years and it still looks great.

    3. I am also very fair skinned and prefer to keep covered up in the sun. Have you looked at traditional Indian kurtas? It basically is a tunic designed to protect you from the sun.

      Look aroun the Indian area of your town (if you have one) or do a search for “women’s kurtas.” They are generally silk or cotton, offer sun protection, could be worn over your clothes and some are really beautiful – just look around a bit for one your style.

      Quick search brought this up – if nothing beautiful is here, I am sure you can find some others that are your taste online. http://www.kurtabazaar.com/

    4. What about carrying a parasol? Everyone carries them in Asia. I remember using one as a kid in Florida at Disney.

      1. I’ve done this :). It’s just hard to juggle with my bag and stuff, and then sometimes you’re on a shady block and feel like an idiot, and I am always afraid I’m failing to shade a spot somewhere on my back or something.

      1. Threadjack in a threadjack. Shayna, I saw in one of your comments yesterday that you lost weight (you were saying being hit on for the first time post ‘fat’). Would you share your experience? I have been ‘normal’, thin and heavy (especially after firstborn then twins over 2 1/2 years – ugh), most recently tolerably thin for a few years, and now am careening back to heavy (10 lbs in last 2 years). I’d appreciate whatever suggestions/advice/support you (or anyone else) might have. Thanks.

        1. Sure — After 15 years of yo yo dieting, about a year ago I started eating food that was actually satisfying (think real cheese instead of fat free), I was fuller a lot sooner. I adopted a dog at about the same time, and stopped mindless snacking b/she would be right there under my feet when I was snacking – so it was impossible to not register that I was eating. I also got into the habit of taking her for a long walk every day.

          Generally I just ask myself constantly “Am I still hungry? Am I enjoying this or am I ready to eat something else?” If I don’t love it, I don’t eat it. I nosh a lot – almonds, Kashi go lean cereal – so I’m never ravenous, and meals aren’t huge. I don’t leave food in front of me when I’m full, … and – I know this is not for everyone – but I weigh myself daily. If I go up .5 pound it’s easy to correct quickly, but if I wait until my clothes don’t fit, then I have a lot more weight to contend w/ (I lost 80 lbs total, and I’m terrified of having to do it again) …and conversely, if the scale is the same, and the clothes are tight, I know that it’s b/c I shrunk them, not b/c I’m fat.

          Hope that helps – Mostly, just focus on whether you’re enjoying what you’re eating, and try to be aware of whether you’re eating because you’re hungry – or for another reason.

          1. Thanks :)! Good tips – being ‘terrified’ (of gaining any more and having to lose it) resonates with me. I will take some of your suggestions – start walking my dog instead of making everyone else in the house do it, and work on the “don’t love it, don’t eat it” piece. I think I’ve kind of slacked off the last year or so, eating leftover kid food, mindless consumption of office cookies and all that (ie, not because I am hungry but because it’s there or I am stressed)…thanks again!

          2. I’d like to second every word of this. I lost 30 lbs almost three years ago and this is basically exactly what I did. Except I didn’t have a dog so I just had to make a point of pausing to ask myself if I was eating because I was actually hungry or if I was eating because of stress or boredom. As Shayna recommended, really take the time to taste and enjoy the food you’re eating. There are so many foods that I used to snack on just because they were there (and frankly, also because I think that foods with lots of salt, sugar, or fat are somewhat addicting). Once I stopped to actually pay attention to the way certain foods taste I realized that I actually think that potato chips, soda, and most fast food is actually pretty gross. Also, recognize those healthy foods that you love (for me it’s pineapple…) and keep them around so that when you get hungry you have something to eat that you love eating and that’s good for your body.

          3. Absolutely second all of this. I would add that at the beginning of my weight loss (50 pounds total during my 1L year), I needed more guidance, so I joined Weight Watchers online. I thought I knew a lot about nutrition but what I learned there (mostly from the boards) really helped me. I also don’t have a dog so I started walking/jogging then running with the Couch to 5K program (www.c25k.com).

            Now I do what Shayna says to maintain my weight. I especially recommend mini meals. And though I actually incorporate nonfat items in my diet (my milk and yogurt are always fat free), I don’t limit myself to those and only eat the ones that I actually enjoy.

            I’ve managed to stay within the same 5-10 pounds for 3 years (though 10 is much wider latitude than I’d like) but can usually get back to my “base” within a month no matter how far I’ve strayed. Weighing myself daily at the same time each morning is a huge part of that (though I know not for everyone).

            I think being terrified of regaining your weight is a huge motivator, and I definitely feel it :)

          4. Agree w/ Claire’s suggestion to consciously identify healthy foods… Right now I’m snacking on apple slices. For me it’s worth the extra money to buy the pre-cut pre-bagged slices since then I’ll eat them instead of a candy bar. I also get my groceries delivered by Peapod.com (I have a discount code for your first order: FRGT76GTD for $10 off) – no more I’m-hungry-impulse buys in the cookie aisle – and like online shopping for clothes you can put what you want in your ‘cart’ and then go back later to order, or review it to delete any unwanted items.

        2. I lost about 50lbs and have kept it off. I monitor everything I eat on fitday.com. For some people, this would make them crazy. It works well for me, though, because I know how many calories I can eat per day, and so I can make deals with myself – for instance, I can let myself have 400 calories worth of ice cream because I know I’ve burned 500 more calories than I ate, or I know I have to go to the gym because I ate more than I burned, etc. I also walk everywhere and exercise whenever I feel stressed – an hour of yoga or half an hour of cardio is a far more effective stress reliever than a drink or a dessert.

    5. This doesn’t help in terms of necklines or specific garments, but you may also want to consider using Sunguard (the stuff you add into the wash to add SPF protection to your clothes) on whatever pieces you do wind up buying. My (extremely fair and sensitive-skinned) former roommate swears by it.

    6. I’d suggest for Indian/Muslim female garb (clothing, shawls, etc), do NOT purchase online. It is wayyyy overpriced (speaking from experience here). Go to a store, actually feel the fabrics and bargain the price down or get something for free.

      1. Can you recommend where to go in the DC area? I know there are big south Asian communities in the suburbs, but I’m not sure where they shop.

        1. I’m Indian and in the DC area. Check out these places. I think that I have been to the India Sari Palace and they have some kurtis that looked nice. Ask for a kurti, which is just the flowy top. A salwar kameez is both the top and the pants, which you probably don’t need.

          Avi Creations – Traditional and trendies designer collection, full range of ladies attire, jewelry and accesssories. Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington D.C. Area. Email: info@avicreations.com or Phone: 571-245-4481

          Aanchal Saris 8044 New Hampshire Ave, Hyattsville, MD 20783 (301) 434-3029

          Chaubara Fashion Studio: 8711 First Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Phone: 240-354-2437

          Kanya Boutique – Offers chic and gorgeous outfits and can customize any outfit to your taste and design. Specializing in bridesmaids and prom outfits . Check the website out! Contact : Radhika Rao Email – contact@kanyaboutique.com
          Phone – 703-378-1257.

          Meenal’s Indian Fashions boutique: VA, DC Metro Area. Contact Meenal Jain: (703) 318 7389, Ellicott City/Baltimore, MD (Saumya Nathan) Call: (410) 750 9226

          India Sari Palace1337 University Blvd E, Takoma Park, MD 20912 (301) 434-1350

          Perfect Collection – Unique and Elegant Indian Party wear ( salwar , sarees and kurtis) …. specialized in custom made Indian clothing. Home furnishings like Dining mats , cushion covers etc. Trousseau Packing like cash shagun Envelopes, Suit and Saree gift bags, multi purpose potalis, boxes and pouches , shagun thaal covers and many more. Email: perfectcollectionva@gmail.com or Phone: 571-246-6594

          Priya Fashion Saree 7177 Lee Highway Falls Church, VA 22046 (703)534 2558

          Sonia Saree & Fabrics 5155 Lee Highway Arlington, VA 22207 (703)538 5941

          1. My first comment is awaiting moderation, but another place to buy Indian kurtis in the DC area is Threads. They are a threading salon but sell clothes too. Their salon on K Street and in Bethesda both sell kurtis, and Preeti, the owner, is extremely nice and can help you out.

          2. I know exactly where that is, but didn’t realize they sold clothes. So thankful for all you Corporettes. Thanks!

          3. No problem. I have listed at least 7 places in the burbs in my original comment, but it’s awaiting moderation. I would definitely try Threads first and if they don’t have what you want, just ask Preeti for recommendations. She lives in N. Va and would likely know a ton of places for you to check out.

          4. Clerky, what an awesome list. Next time I’m in the DC area, I’m going to check these places out.

        2. I’m from NY (not helpful, I know) but I’d suggest looking in the “shady” areas of DC. Anywhere around a mosque or ethnic food shopping area will have a clothing store catering to this market. And of course, if you know any Muslim/South Asian person (male or female) just ask them! They’ll be happy to help. I’ll do some research and get back to you.

          1. Thanks. If you don’t think it’s a jacka$$ move to ask the south Asian people I know where I should shop for ethnic clothes, I’ll do that.

          2. Ask someone you’re friendly with, and it shouldn’t be a problem. I’d say, go with a woman who has a sense of style, and she probably won’t be offended.

            My mother’s college roommate married an Indian guy and she’s basically converted her special occasions wardrobe, especially in the summers. It’s breezier. better for packing, and always pretty!

          3. Could we please get past the point of describing ethnic neighborhoods as “shady”

          4. anon, I don’t think ethnic neighborhoods are shady but some people might, hence the quotation marks. Honestly, a lot of immigrant communities establish themselves in areas where the rents are cheaper, which sometimes winds up being areas that have high crime rates or are considered “unsavory”. It was just a suggestion of places where someone might go to find some non-mainstream items.

            This is probably TMI but I went to school in the Bronx, college in Harlem and work in Newark and blithely stride through places that my classmates and colleagues constantly warn against. The people are great and welcoming and I know many would describe these areas as shady.

    7. Indian kurtas in cotton usually are high necked/split neck. They’re very pretty and if you find the ones made in Lucknow, they’re almost sheer and come in a variety of pastels.

  4. I really like this BR cardigan and I have a gift card to use up. I had looked in the stores several times, but a lot of the things out right now seem weird (e.g. interior seams intentionally showing on the exterior and so on). This cardigan, on the other hand, looks very nice!

  5. I looked at BR yesterday and was kind of surprised at how “blah” colored everything was–very toned down and neutral. Not what looks good on me!

    That being said, I really like this cardigan. I may try to find the blue on at stores. Thanks Kat!

      1. Agreed! The colors are drab and agree w/ Heather above that the inside-out seems on everything is also off. I hope their new inventory is better!

  6. Love it except for the buttons – I hate snaps! I rarely if ever button my cardigans, and I really hate the look of open snaps.

  7. I need some advice. My grandmother (to whom I’m exceptionally close) is currently in ICU, following what the doctors believe to have been a heart attack. I am clerking at a small firm this summer that is 5 hours from the hospital. I desperately want to see her and be with my family right now. If nothing else, I plan to leave immediately after work tomorrow, but I really want to take tomorrow off so I can leave tonight. Should I grit my teeth and work tomorrow, or would it be acceptable to leave today?

    1. Go tell your supervisor what is going on and ask if you can leave today. Do it right now. I can almost guarantee they will understand. Generally you don’t do good work anyway, when you’re distracted, and they also have loved ones, so they will get it. Some things are more important than a job, and this is one of those things. I will say a prayer for you and your family. Good luck.

      1. Agree — GO!

        Having been there – and having had a boss w/ gave me a hard time, be ready to stand tough if you do have one w/out a heart. S/he may not be happy, but they will get over it (If they’re not happy a/b it, it’s likely due to their own workloads/personal issues)

    2. It’s absolutely acceptable to leave immediately. Tell your supervisor, wrap up anything that’s extremely (extremely) urgent, write a short memo to a colleague about your open projects OR leave a cell phone number (and answer it if it rings), and GO!

    3. Yes, go ask if you can leave niow. They will almost certainly understand and be accomodating. And in the unlikely event that they say you can’t go today, I think that will give you some valuable information about the firm.

    4. It is my personal belief that thing like your family’s health should come before work. Sadly, this is a sentiment clearly not shared by all workplaces. My suggestion would be to talk to your boss. Make sure you give a clear outline of “I will take tomorrow off, keep in touch over email through the weekend, be back on Monday baring any dramatic complications, etc”. There have been times when I’ve asked, not expecting a positive response, and gotten something along the lines of “Oh, that recently happened to me too – go ahead, be with [family member]”. As long as you come in with a clear plan of how it will not affect the rest of the office (getting work done while traveling, while she’s resting, etc – as long as it’s realistic), I think it’s worth asking. However, I’ve always worked in very supportive offices, so maybe I’ve just been lucky.

    5. Agreed with everything above – go ask now to leave now. If they don’t let you, ask to leave early tomorrow – around noon – and say you’ll come in a bit early. Don’t forget to tell them how far you have to drive and how many metro areas you’ll have to go through to get there.

      1. Agreed with all above – ask, GO, and in the unlikely event you are told not to, think long and hard about if this is the right place for you. Good luck, and hope your grandmom is better soon!

  8. Very useful basic cardigan. The fabric blend is a nice change from all that cotton.

  9. Does anyone know what to do with old bras? I’ve changed cup sizes recently, and need to get rid of some that definitely don’t fit.

    Some are in great shape and some should be, um, retired. Can these be recycled? Does anyone want to wear my old lingerie???

    1. Honestly, I always just pitch them. They’re kind of an “intimate” item and I know most clothing-donation places around here won’t take underwear or swimsuits unless the tags are still on.

      1. ditto on having talked to donation places about not taking underwear .. i’d toss them

    2. I’m not positive but I’m pretty sure that Salvation Army, Goodwill etc. WILL take previously-worn bras – they will NOT take previously-worn underwear however. Hope that helps.

    3. Try women’s shelters in your area, these places frequently need clothes for women to wear when they show up with nothing, and this includes bras. Many places will be happy to tell you whether or not they need them if you just call and ask. I donate all my old clothes to a battered womens shelter near my house.

    4. I volunteer at a homeless shelter and we always need bras. If yours are in very good condition, wash them and donate them. Women’s shelters, for homeless, domestic violence survivors, or recovering addicts, are always in need.

  10. Thread hijack: I am traveling to Saudi Arabia and the UAE on business. I will have to wear an abaya and headscarf. Suggestions on where to purchase (apparently I have to put them on in the airplane before landing) and safety suggestions much appreciated. I am Jewish, so I am particularly a bit uneasy about this.

    1. Sharon – My colleague (male) had to present his female colleague’s work in Saudi Arabia because his architecture firm thought it would work out better that way – they ended up winning the contract and he told me about his entire experience.

      Based on what he said, do not tell anyone you’re Jewish, do not visit any religious places unless you’re accompanied by a tourguide (women/ non-Muslims/ tourists are not welcome in mosques and other religious areas), and strictly follow all rules/ regulations. He said his hotel provided a lot of information but they will probably provide female travelers an entirely different set of recommendations. Before taking any pics, make sure you ask your tour guide/ hosts if it’s ok and if the pic is of someone in the street, make sure it’s ok with them, too. You may not be invited to some events because you’re a woman – don’t take it personally.

      I’m Jewish and would be pretty scared to visit any part of the Middle East outside of Israel. Luckily, people always think I’m Lebanese, Syrian, or Jordanian and I don’t have a disctinctly Jewish name.

      There are a lot of open-minded, well-educated, worldly Saudis, but I would re-emphasize not telling anyone you’re Jewish. And I would ask your colleagues to refrain from mentioning it in the interest of safety. That said, your Saudi clients/ colleagues may already know from your name that you’re Jewish and may ask you about your thoughts on Israel. Based on my experience, I avoid any and all conversations about my personal political beliefs about Israel and have passed it off by changing the subject (maybe talk about the World Cup or Wimbledon?) or by saying “I’d rather not discuss that topic right now.”

      Hope this helps – I would love to visit other countries in the Middle East but share the same uneasiness about traveling there as an American Jewish woman.

      As for the abaya and headscarf – check out Etsy (for the fabric) and youtube for tutorials on how to wear them.

      1. “You may not be invited to some events because you’re a woman – don’t take it personally.”

        This. This is why I have yet to travel to the middle east. I would take not being invited somewhere because of my anatomical make up very personally and would have trouble not expressing anger and disbelief at such a concept.

        Sharon-you are certainly going to extreme measures for your career by traveling to a country where your ethnicity and your gender make you a literal target. I hope your colleagues realize the burden you are carrying. Best of luck (not being sarcastic–seriously, good luck.) Go show them what women are capable of and please report back after your trip.

        1. Also, on a slightly more helpful note:

          A good friend of mine (female, mid-twenties) recently traveled to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt. In all three countries, she just wore a head scarf similar to what older ladies sometimes wear when it is windy–just covering her hair. She got some comments, but mostly because due to her ethnicity she was mistaken for a native many times and was called out for not being “appropriately” attired. Other than that, she was fine. But, she did make sure she was never out alone. Stay with a group or at least 1-2 other people at all times. Also, I second not mentioning that you are Jewish. My friend didn’t even mention she was American, although I don’t think that is an option for you.

    2. If you have a passport stamp from traveling to Israel, you should check with the State Dept about getting a second passport for travel to countries that don’t recognize Israel (see map: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Countries_that_reject_Iraeli_passports.png). Several Arab countries not only don’t accept Israeli passports but refuse entry to anyone with a stamp from Israel. I’ve heard the UAE has gotten better about allowing in people with Israeli stamps, but Saudi Arabia definitely won’t allow it (lots of people traveling in the Middle East get the Israeli authorities to stamp a piece of paper to insert into their passport instead of the passport itself for this very reason). Also, if you are an Israeli dual citizen, you can be prosecuted in Israel for traveling to an “enemy country” such as Saudi Arabia. It may be that none of these situations apply to you, but on the off chance one or both of them do, just be aware.

    3. I dont’ have much advice, I would just also like to give you props and wish you luck. If you can report back to us, I would love to hear how your trip went after it’s over.

      I have used the website via-her.com when traveling internationally before–they may have some tips for this region as well.

    4. I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer to your questions, but I’m curious — where in the UAE are you going? When I visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi last year, I saw many women without abaya/headscarf. Granted, I was in pretty touristy/expat-y places.

    5. I would agree with Em about checking out entry restrictions if you are travelling on an Israeli Passport or have stamps from Israel. I have a friend who has both and for that reason never flies through the UAE.

      I have been to the UAE (Abu Dhabi and Dubai) on a trip to visit my mother who worked there for a year. From what I saw (my mother was teaching) western women did not wear the Abaya and Shaila (they must be worn when visiting the Sheikh Zayed Mosque) most of the women wore very modest clothing ie long skirts, pants, long sleeve tops with high necks. If you are able to I’d see if there is someone else who has been that can give you advice on whether in the UAE the Abaya and Shaila is necessary. I only had to wear one briefly and it can take some talent to keep the abaya in place which may be distracting if you are trying to work.

      I spent quite alot of my time in Abu Dhabi wandering around by myself, its really very safe. I didn’t wear the abaya and shaila just modest dress and I have blonde hair and am tall so I stand out a mile away. I got stared at but none of the usual issues that I have encountered travelling around Morocco and Asia (no one calling after you, or trying to get you to buy things or wanting to touch you). I would agree on avoiding any conversation about being Jewish. But I’d be surprised if it were brought up, no one really spoke to me unless I was interacting with them – usually to buy something. Most of the Emirates and Guest Workers I spoke to were more interested in why I was in the UAE without my husband! (To be fair I also got that question quite alot in Australia!)

      Saudi Arabia on the other hand……….neither my mother or any of the female teachers that my mother worked with would go there. You could try posting on lonely planet for some answers.

      Not wanting to go into any kind of debate – I am surprised that your business would want to send a woman to Saudi Arabia for business, similar to the comment that SR made. I am not doubting your abilities just more of a knowing your client.

      1. She can get a second passport if she has an Israeli stamp in hers – not a replacement one, the State Dept will just give you a second one to use for countries that won’t let you in with an Israeli stamp. I have a second passport and it’s not much of a hassle to get at all.

    6. You actually won’t have to wear a headscarf, but you might prefer to in order to blend in. But you’re not legally required to if you aren’t Muslim. You’ll need a dark-colored abaya for Saudi. Make sure it covers your collarbone, your arms to your wrists and your legs to your ankles. You can easily buy one on ebay or Amazon, or call a local mosque and ask for recommendations.

      Don’t tell any you don’t know that you’re Jewish, as others have said – in fact, Saudi wouldn’t let you have a visa if they knew you were Jewish. I’m a Jewish woman too and travel a lot for work.

      Don’t try to shake hands with men, and don’t be surprised if events are gender segregated (although don’t be surprised if your business partners break out a box of smuggled liquor, either). Everyone will be very hospitable and welcoming to you, but some men may be a bit protective, and others might think you’re loose because you’re not Muslim/Arab. The Arab culture is very warm and hospitality is very important. Be prepared to eat lots of sweets!

      Have fun! I’m a bit jealous of your trip now.

      1. Sharon – me too am a bit jealous and can’t wait for the post-trip update! Good for you to be going. Have fun and don’t forget to update us.

    7. FWIW, my experience in the Middle East suggested that nobody will assume you’re Jewish based on, for instance, what we would think of as a “Jewish” name. If you don’t mention it, nobody is likely to try and play profiling games with you.

    8. Don’t worry. We always have female colleagues (of all religions) travelling there and they buy abayas at Dubai airport.

      Be warned, as a woman they have the right to turn you away at the airport if you’re not accompanied by father/brother/son/husband (this happend to a very senior woman at our office). You may need something in writing from them…yeah I know it sucks to a modern woman…but when in Rome….etc etc. Discuss this with colleagues who have been there.

      If you’re flying direct, not sure….we usually transit via Dubai.

      I think you have nothing to worry about with being Jewish.

  11. Do some research on the State Department’s travel website and talk to your hosts. Saudi Arabia has strict rules regarding women being in the company of men who aren’t their spouse or father and it’s best to err on the side of caution when out in public (this goes for dress as well – just a headscarf may not get you accosted by the police, but do you really want to risk it when you are there on business? I’d wear the abaya w/o question)

    1. Thank you all.
      A few things:
      1) I will be traveling with my (female) American business partner and my (male) American client (potentially with some of his coworkers from the US as well). Client is a multinational corp, based in the US but with offices all over the world. A name you would recognize. We will not be calling on or presenting to Saudi nationals for the most part; in other words, it’s my multinational client who is paying me to do this consulting work, it is not me / us trying to sell something to Saudi nationals.
      2) I am getting a new passport anyway just to be safe, as I have an Israel stamp on there from a trip a few years back.
      3) My last name is a name that could go either way in terms of being Jewish, and I don’t look stereotypically Jewish. (Please don’t berate me on this one, you all know what I mean.) However, I understand that the visa application requires stating parents’ full names. My maiden name is VERY Jewish and this concerns me, but I fear that lying is even wore.
      4) Female partner and I are very intent on wearing the abaya, headscarf and being as conservative as possible in terms of dress.
      5) I am aware of the extreme segregation and would love any more advice on things to do / not to do. Can I share a cab ride with my male client? Are there any restaurants we can eat in together? What pitfalls do I want to avoid?

      Since my client’s company is a big one, is there anything I should request / ask from them? They will provide / pay for anything I need when traveling on behalf of them.

      Do I wear / bring the abaya and headscarf on the plane? How do I know how to wear the headscarf properly? Is it true no earrings can show (in which case I won’t wear earrings anyway)? What footwear is allowed – I assume no sandals?

      1. I know absolutely nothing about traveling to the middle east but I am curious – as a foreigner, how the locals would know that your client was a client and not your father/spouse. I understand w/ 2 women, 1 man it won’t work for both of you but I’m a bit baffled at how they “know.”

        For general traveling advice I would find out where the embassy is and how to contact them/get there in an emergency. I’d also consider making the call to speak with them directly before going.

        I’d also recommend NOT lying on anything official as I bet that is a crime there and the worst thing that could probably happen is to get arrested while there.

      2. No one’s going to pick up on your name being Jewish. Seriously, my name is basically Jewy McJewerson and no one picks up on it in the Mideast. Most people have never met any Jews and they have no basis to know what names sound Jewish. And if the Saudis realize you’re Jewish you’re unlikely to get the visa anyway, so once you have the visa, you can be pretty sure you have nothing to worry about on that front.

        In the UAE you can basically dress on the modest side of how you’d dress in the US. Think tunics, linen pants, longish skirts, etc. There are lots of foreigners, even outside of Dubai, and Dubai (if that’s where you’re going) is basically a theme park for Europeans. Do not break the law and drink, use drugs, etc, though – there are major, major penalties. In fact, be certain that any OTC or prescription drugs you bring with you are legal in the UAE, because some people have been arrested for having drugs that are legal in the US but not in the UAE.

        In Saudi, women need to wear a body-concealing garment and the easiest way to do it is an abaya. You need to cover your arms, legs, and chest up to the collarbone and the outermost layer does need to be a skirt, not loose pants. You need to wear a dark color and nothing patterned, sequined, etc (Saudi women do it, but you should follow the rules as a guest in the country). Saudi law and practice allows for women to wear their national dress, but for the sake of not drawing attention to yourself, you’ll probably prefer to wear an abaya. Non-Muslim women do not have to wear a headscarf (hijab), and non-Saudi/wahhabi women do not cover their face (face covering is called niqab). My opinion is that you’ll be more comfortable with a headscarf of some sort, but it can be a dark kerchief tied loosely or something like that, you don’t have to learn how to put on a hijab. You’ll just attract less attention in public with a headscarf on. If you’re in a business meeting, you should feel fine taking off your headscarf, but not your abaya unless you’re dressed very modestly underneath.

        Sandals are fine. Just keep your ankles covered. Normally a heascarf will cover your ears but if you’re not wearing one, I’d just avoid flashy jewelry. You’re going to see some women wearing very form-fitting abayas and four-inch stilletos with sparkly eye makeup showing beneath their niqab. Honestly, behind closed doors, a lot of Saudis don’t follow the rules – some women who work in mixed environments like hospitals take off their hijabs in front of male colleagues, young couples go on dates, people drink illegally-smuggled alcohol, etc. Saudi is a changing society and there are a lot of people pushing against the religious police and the establishment (and other conservatives pushing back).

        The other thing about Saudi is that you’re really not going to be in public. There is no “public” so to speak. There are women’s-only spaces in malls, restaurants, etc, and there are family spaces. You won’t be going for business lunches outside of international hotels, you won’t be strolling outside, you won’t be taking cabs, etc. You’ll probably have a driver the whole time you’re there, he’ll take you from point A to point B with very few stops, and you won’t go anywhere without your colleagues. Also, Saudi is a highly developed country and the cities are very modern. Business travelers are not a rarity and lots of foreigners live in Saudi (and lots of Saudis have been abroad). You won’t be such an oddball and if you do break a minor rule or two you won’t draw that much attention.

        Finally, if you get invited to a Saudi home, jump at the chance. Women and men normally are entertained separately, and they’re so hospitable. Most Saudi women live in a fairly constrained, family-oriented environment and don’t work outside the home, so you won’t likely get to meet many women in the course of your business.

        Again, I’m super jealous. I love the middle east!

        1. Oh – yes, you’ll have to change into appropriate attire before entering Saudi IIRC. It won’t have to be an abaya, but you will need to cover up your body. If you’re going to the UAE first, you could buy the abaya there.

      3. The first time I traveled to a country where I had to wear a headscarf, I asked a woman seated near me if she could help me put it on/show me how to wear it. Say it with a smile and respect and I can’t imagine you’ll be turned down.

        1. Oh yeah. When I lived in a Muslim part of sub-Saharan Africa I decided to buy one because it would cut down on street harassment. The lady who sold it to me was so pleased to help me put it on and style it that she wanted to take pictures. Muslims like to share their faith and culture with others – other ladies will be happy to help you out.

      4. Just a tip – make sure you always have safety pins on you. They will ALWAYS save the day.

  12. A lot of you have given such great advice about traveling to Saudi Arabia. I’ve only been to the religiously significant cities (which non-Muslims are restricted from traveling to) so I have no idea what it’s like in the rest of the country.

    I definitely agree with all of the recommendations about a 2nd passport – my sister went to Egypt and visited Palestine from there. They stamped everything on a separate paper but when she was trying to leave Egypt to come home, they asked her why she had a 2nd entry stamp into Egypt with no exit stamp. They hassled her A LOT.

      1. She didn’t really answer the questions about entering Israel. She just took all the yelling and questioning and just glared back at them (not smart, I know). But she’s hardcore and a Muslim chick who wears a headscarf with an American passport was not someone who was going to be intimidated by Customs at the end of the day.

  13. I also love the Middle East, have been to Israel (lived there) and Egypt (visited) and would love to visit other countries in the Middle East.
    However…as a Jew I would not visit a country where it’s not safe to admit that one is Jewish. If it’s really unsafe for a Jew in Saudi Arabia, and if they don’t grant visas to Jews wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia, do you really need to travel there? (talk about racism…)
    Just my 2 cents…

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