Saudi Arabia · 12 outfits
What to wear to The Saudi Cup
Outfits built to the dress code as the racecourse states it, one enclosure at a time, with the reason each one passes.
where you are standing
Royal Area (Grandstand and Parade Ring)
Women
The dress code
JCSA: women may wear an abaya or thobe inspired by traditional Saudi fashion; a modest dress of appropriate length and fabric; the formal national dress of their country; military dress uniform; or a smart suit with a jacket. Not permitted: casual attire such as jeans, T-shirts or shorts; promotional branding or commercial logos; sheer, strapless, off-shoulder, halter-neck or spaghetti-strap styles. The same lists apply to Saudi nationals and to visitors; guests are encouraged to wear Saudi heritage-inspired dress.
Outfit 1
Heritage-inspired abaya
- Outerwear
- Formal abaya in silk or crepe with regional embroidery, worn closed
- Headwear
- Shayla or embroidered headscarf; visitors may go bare-headed
- Shoes
- Closed-toe heels
- Jewellery
- Gold or silver heritage jewellery
- Bags
- Small clutch without visible logos
Why it passes. First item on the permitted list; opaque, covered shoulders, no branding.
On the day. February in Riyadh: warm afternoon (to about 23°C), cool evening (about 10°C); racing runs to 22:30.
Outfit 2
Najdi-style thobe
- Dresses
- Wide-sleeved women's thobe with gold-thread embroidery, in a spring colour such as lavender
- Headwear
- Light veil or embroidered headpiece
- Shoes
- Closed-toe flats or low heels
Why it passes. 'Abaya or thobe inspired by traditional Saudi fashion' is what the Jockey Club and Ministry of Culture ask guests to celebrate.
On the day. Voluminous silk is comfortable at any hour.
What regulars wear. Arab News reported a guest in lavender Najdi dress carrying lavender flowers in 2026.
Outfit 3
Visitor's modest gown
- Dresses
- Long-sleeved, high-necked maxi or midi dress in opaque satin or crepe, hem at mid-calf or longer
- Headwear
- Race-day hat or headpiece (optional)
- Shoes
- Closed-toe pumps
- Accessories
- Wrap for the evening
Why it passes. 'Modest dresses with appropriate length and fabric': sleeves and a high neck clear the strapless, off-shoulder, halter and spaghetti-strap bans; opaque cloth clears 'sheer'.
On the day. A wrap or light coat for the evening chill.
Outfit 4
Smart suit with jacket
- Suiting
- Tailored trouser suit, jacket worn closed over a silk blouse
- Shoes
- Closed-toe heels
- Jewellery
- Fine jewellery
Why it passes. The last permitted option for women: 'a smart suit with a jacket'.
On the day. Practical for the walk to the parade ring.
What regulars wear. Chosen by many international owners and officials.
Common mistakes
- Strapless, off-shoulder, halter or spaghetti-strap gowns
- Sheer panels or lace without lining
- Visible logos
- Open-toe shoes (listed as not permitted in the 2026 dress guide according to search snippets)
- Jeans or anything casual
Men
The dress code
JCSA: men may wear a daglah or sayah with agal and ghutra or shemagh; a thobe with bisht, agal and ghutra or shemagh; the formal national dress of their country; military dress uniform; or a suit including a jacket, with a tie required in the Royal Area (Grandstand and Parade Ring). Not permitted: jeans, T-shirts, shorts; promotional branding or logos; sheer or inappropriate clothing.
Outfit 1
Thobe and bisht
- Suiting
- White or winter-weight coloured thobe
- Outerwear
- Bisht with gold trim
- Headwear
- Ghutra or shemagh with agal
- Shoes
- Formal sandals or leather shoes
Why it passes. Second option on the permitted list, complete with headwear.
On the day. A bisht adds warmth for the evening.
Outfit 2
Daglah
- Outerwear
- Embroidered daglah (long, collared coat) or sayah over a thobe
- Headwear
- Ghutra or shemagh with agal
- Shoes
- Leather shoes
Why it passes. First option on the permitted list; the heritage look the code promotes.
On the day. As above.
What regulars wear. Intricately embroidered daglahs are the signature of Saudi Cup night.
Outfit 3
Suit and tie
- Suiting
- Dark or mid-toned suit with jacket
- Accessories
- Shirt and tie – required here
- Shoes
- Oxfords
Why it passes. A suit must include a jacket, and a tie is required in the Royal Area.
On the day. Add an overcoat for late evening if needed.
What regulars wear. The international visitor's default; own-country national dress is also accepted.
Common mistakes
- Suit without a tie in the Royal Area
- No jacket
- Jeans, T-shirts, shorts
- Branded or logo clothing
where you are standing
General enclosure
Women
The dress code
JCSA: women may wear an abaya or thobe inspired by traditional Saudi fashion; a modest dress of appropriate length and fabric; the formal national dress of their country; military dress uniform; or a smart suit with a jacket. Not permitted: casual attire such as jeans, T-shirts or shorts; promotional branding or commercial logos; sheer, strapless, off-shoulder, halter-neck or spaghetti-strap styles. The same lists apply to Saudi nationals and to visitors; guests are encouraged to wear Saudi heritage-inspired dress.
Outfit 1
Everyday-elegant abaya
- Outerwear
- Coloured or neutral abaya in crepe
- Headwear
- Optional scarf
- Shoes
- Closed flats or block heels
- Bags
- Plain bag
Why it passes. On the permitted list; modest and logo-free.
On the day. Lots of walking between entertainment zones.
What regulars wear. The majority look.
Outfit 2
Modest midi
- Dresses
- Long-sleeved shirt dress or wrap dress to mid-calf in opaque fabric
- Outerwear
- Light coat
- Shoes
- Closed-toe shoes
Why it passes. 'Modest dresses with appropriate length and fabric'.
On the day. Cool after dark.
What regulars wear. Easy for visitors.
Outfit 3
Heritage touch
- Dresses
- Long dress with a regional embroidered jacket or shawl
- Headwear
- Asiri-style straw hat or embroidered headpiece
- Shoes
- Closed shoes
Why it passes. Heritage-inspired dress is encouraged for every guest.
On the day. As above.
What regulars wear. Past dress guides illustrated regional pieces such as the straw hat of Asir.
Common mistakes
- Jeans and T-shirt
- Bare shoulders
- Sheer fabrics
- Logos
Men
The dress code
JCSA: men may wear a daglah or sayah with agal and ghutra or shemagh; a thobe with bisht, agal and ghutra or shemagh; the formal national dress of their country; military dress uniform; or a suit including a jacket, with a tie required in the Royal Area (Grandstand and Parade Ring). Not permitted: jeans, T-shirts, shorts; promotional branding or logos; sheer or inappropriate clothing.
Outfit 1
Thobe with shemagh
Why it passes. Permitted list.
On the day. Evening chill.
What regulars wear. The majority look.
Outfit 2
Suit, tie optional
- Suiting
- Suit with jacket
- Accessories
- Collared shirt; tie recommended
- Shoes
- Leather shoes
Why it passes. A suit including a jacket is required; the tie is only stated as required in the Royal Area.
On the day. As above.
What regulars wear. Carry a tie in case you are invited into the Royal Area.
Common mistakes
- Shirt and trousers without a jacket (allowed on ordinary Riyadh race nights, not on Saudi Cup weekend)
- Jeans, T-shirts, shorts
- Logos
Race days this covers
- The Saudi Cup – Race Night (Saturday) · Sat 6 Feb 2027
Dress codes change. Check the racecourse's own page before you go: jcsa.sa