Leggings are not pants - this campaign makes it clear

Campaigners say they want to preserve the Islamic country's culture and values. Photo / Instagram

The Arab emirate of Qatar has bought into a topic that has already caused division among western women by declaring that leggings are not pants.

The Gulf state has launched a modesty drive to make sure tourists understand what is and isn't appropriate dress. And leggings fail to make the cut.

The Reflect Your Respect campaign, managed by Qatar's state-run Islamic Culture Centre, uses Twitter, Instagram and leaflets distributed in public places to inform visitors of basic modesty laws in preparation for the 2022 Football World Cup.

"If you are in Qatar, you are one of us. Help us preserve Qatar's culture and values. Please dress modestly in public places", the leaflets explain.

The word "modestly" has been starred on the leaflet and a footnote reads: "Leggings are not pants".

According to Qatar leggings are not appropriate dress because they are too tight and they can be translucent.

"It is expected that you wear decent clothes and women should avoid wearing any garments that are too tight; too short or translucent such as mini-skirts or sleeveless dresses," the Culture centre says.

The edict comes after online publisher Mia Freedman sparked a furore by declaring on her mamamia website that "leggings are not pants" and saying she had banned her five-year-old daughter from wearing them.

The Qatar campaign has brought a mixed reaction on Twitter.

"How very strange, A religious stte telling people what they can and can't wear...... I'm so shocked," Michael Deutrom writes.

"Do Spandex pants count as leggings or pants? Or neither? I'm going to Qatar in spandex pants to find out," Monroe, Monroe writes.

- AAP