Tips For Women Dressing Modestly In Conservative Countries

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When visiting conservative countries, it’s highly recommended that you make an effort to dress more modestly than you would at home.

This can be especially challenging if you’re in a very hot or humid climate, but it’s still necessary, especially for women.

What you don’t want is to draw unwanted attention to yourself, especially from men, or cause offence. In some countries, it’s even considered a crime.

So if you’re visiting a conservative country and not sure what to wear, here are some of our top tips!

Where Do You Need To Dress Conservatively When Traveling?

Generally speaking, you need to dress conservatively in countries where the religion is predominantly Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Orthodox Christian, or Orthodox Jewish.

In these countries, you’ll find the locals will dress modestly wherever they go, but for travelers, it may only be necessary when visiting religious sites.

Western countries, or countries with a major Western influence, are usually fine to wear whatever you please. It’s still important to bring at least something to drape around your shoulders and to cover your legs in case you’d like to visit a religious site.

To be on the safe side, it’s recommended you do as the locals do, and where modest clothing throughout your trip.

In some Muslim countries, such as Iran and the Aceh Province of Indonesia, women are expected to dress modestly by covering their shoulders and knees, and avoiding sleeveless shirts and short dresses, as well as wear a headscarf by law.

Some other Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia and Dubai, require head scarfs only when visiting religious sites.

It’s important to check the rules of the country you are visiting before you leave.

In some countries, such as Spain and Italy, modest clothing is often seen as a more cultural choice. However, when visiting churches, there are often signs saying that you need to cover shoulders, knees, and midriff.

Why Do You Need To Dress Conservatively When Traveling?

In many countries, dressing modestly is a religious requirement, and so it’s expected that tourists visiting these countries abide by the customs of that country.

Dressing modestly also helps avoid situations where you might get unwanted attention.

Passersby may stare at you if you are dressed inappropriately, and this might make you feel uneasy as the centre of attention, or even unsafe.

Showing off too much skin or wearing tight-fitting clothing is a pretty big no-no and can be seen as rude and disrespectful in some cultures.

It’s certainly not the first impression you want to give when you’re trying to connect with the locals!

Tips For Dressing Modestly In Conservative Countries

Whether you agree with these customs or not is irrelevant.

As travellers, we have an obligation to be respectful to the culture we’re travelling to, and to do our research before we arrive.

You’ll feel more confident by not being the only lady with limbs exposed, so you won’t have to worry about if you’re offending anyone and you’ll have less googely-eyed men staring at you. Win-win.

Cover your knees, shoulders, and midriff

As a general rule of thumb, cover your shoulders, cleavage, midriff (belly button), and knees at all times.

In more conservative countries, you may have to cover down to your elbows and chins/ankles and sometimes even feet.

Many countries requiring modest dress also have a number of religious sites, which you probably want to visit.

Bring a headscarf or shawl for religious sites

It’s important to cover up in these places of worship otherwise you could be denied entry.

The mosques in Istanbul actually give out cloaks and headscarves at the door to anyone who didn’t fit the dress-code.

This applies to men too – and they have security on the door inspecting and making sure everyone is dressed appropriately.

The staff at many other sites aren’t so kind and are free to just turn you away!

Based on what I’ve seen, many travellers going to Southeast Asia forget (or just don’t know) that it’s really disrespectful visiting a temple without having their knees and shoulders covered.

Always bring a swimsuit

In many countries, it’s also offensive to sunbathe topless. Save the brown boobies for when you’re at home.

In fact, in some countries, bikinis are even frowned upon.

In India, you will often see women wearing swimsuits, and a sari over the top.

In Middle Eastern countries, women often wear a sort of wetsuit type bodysuit.

Always pack a swimsuit and assess the situation when you get there. You may want to bring some swimming shorts and a light t-shirt to wear over the top.

Western dress is generally more accepted around popular, non-holy sites and near beaches. In Turkey for example, they don’t worry about tourists wearing bikinis at the beach, but expect you to cover up when you leave the beach.

Don’t assume though. It’s still easy enough as a traveller to throw a pashmina around your shoulders while you’re there, and then you’re certain you’re being courteous to their customs.

That small step may be enough to avoid causing offence and the locals will appreciate your effort.

Wear lightweight clothing

When choosing your outfits to take with you, your best solution is carrying light pieces of clothing that you can roll up and put away if you don’t require them and then pull them out easily as you need them.

Always go with the light, natural fabrics, which are still breathable and will let the heat escape from your body.

Get t-shirts that are baggy and don’t cling to your body.

You’ll be covered up, considerably cool and as a bonus you’ll have sun protection.

Be mindful of yoga pants/leggings

Leggings and yoga pants are OK for coverage, but you’ll still want a long tunic or long t-shirt to sit over your buttocks and crotch.

Tight-fitting clothing is often frowned upon and will likely attract unwanted attention, and you will most likely get turned away from religious sites if you wear yoga pants.

Just because it covers you, doesn’t mean it’s modest.

Packing Suggestions

• Scarves and pashminas are my #1 suggestion and barely take up space or weight in my luggage.
• A long maxi skirt down to your ankles/mid-calf, or long loose-fitting pants.
• Lightweight shirts or blouses, which can be layered over a tank top.
• A maxi dress to be worn with a pashmina or blouse then can double as a summer beach dress in non-conservative countries.
• T-shirts which don’t show too much chest and definitely no cleavage. Make sure they don’t cling to your body.
• If in doubt you can bring a couple of items then purchase the rest when you arrive. I’ve found that locals love helping when tourists are making an effort to adapt to the customs and culture.

Final Thoughts

It can seem like a daunting task at first with all these ‘rules’ and it can feel so overwhelming as a female visitor trying not to cause any offence to the locals, not to mention trying not to stand out.

But there are SO many amazing places which are far more conservative than what we may be used to and it’s not worth missing out on them because you’re worried about a dress code.

At the very least, make a little bit of effort then you’ll figure the rest out quickly once you arrive.

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