You will figure out where you can go wearing what in order to be comfortable. For example, you will probably not want to wear shorts to the souqs because you will be the "star of the show" while down there. I personally don't wear shorts except to the beaches. Around town I wear a lot of 3/4 length linen pants, long-ish linen skirts, short sleeve shirts and sleeveless is OK too, just not really during Ramadan. I have seen many expat arab women in less than me but the local women wear different variations of the abaya. Don't think Afganistan, think more elegant than that. There are some western women who will cover up when going out by themselves but that's just to avoid be stared at. You can go where ever you want but some places there are just too many dudes and you will probably feel awkward. But malls and grocery stores are fine.
You will figure out where you can go wearing what in order to be comfortable. For example, you will probably not want to wear shorts to the souqs because you will be the "star of the show" while down there. I personally don't wear shorts except to the beaches. Around town I wear a lot of 3/4 length linen pants, long-ish linen skirts, short sleeve shirts and sleeveless is OK too, just not really during Ramadan. I have seen many expat arab women in less than me but the local women wear different variations of the abaya. Don't think Afganistan, think more elegant than that. There are some western women who will cover up when going out by themselves but that's just to avoid be stared at. You can go where ever you want but some places there are just too many dudes and you will probably feel awkward. But malls and grocery stores are fine.