What should women wear in ihram for Umrah?

What most scholars teach

• No special garment: women's ihram is ordinary modest clothing — loose, not see-through, covering the body except the face and hands.
• Any colour: white is common but not required.
• Face and hands: most scholars teach that a woman in ihram doesn't wear a niqab or gloves. Many women lower a loose cloth in front of the face when near unrelated men; schools differ on the details.
• Ihram is the intention, not the clothes: the restrictions begin when you make the intention at the miqat.

Practical packing

• Two or three comfortable abayas or long dresses.
• Underscarf that stays in place; safety pins.
• Comfortable shoes or sandals for long walks on marble floors.
• Light, breathable fabric for the heat.

This is a general overview. For rulings specific to your school, please ask your own scholar.

Next step: our packing checklist.