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I’m writing this post to outline something that I think is very important when you are visiting other countries: dressing appropriately. If you come from the Western world, this isn’t usually a topic of conversation unless you are still in school or talking about what is appropriate to wear to work. In the Americas and Europe, we are used to wearing what we want to wear, and in this day and age, just about anything goes! Crop tops, booty shorts, and yoga pants, and flashy jewelry are acceptable streetwear.
This is not the case in many countries around the world, however. I cannot tell you how often while I lived in Kenya I saw men and women tourists walking around in shorts and tank tops – extremely inappropriate dress for the culture they are visiting. Many of my Kenyan friends asked me how these people could walk around “naked!”
Even though Kenya is a warm country on the equator, people dress very conservatively. You will rarely see men wearing shorts, and women will never show their knees or shoulders. This is true of MANY “hot culture” countries. Lots of travelers complain that they can’t stand the heat and so they have to wear their shorts and tank tops, but the truth is, there are ways to dress that respect the culture around you and still keep you cool.
Let me emphasize that I am no fashionista and am (sadly) not the trendiest dresser! I am a comfort dresser, and after many years of competitive sports, my go-to clothing is nearly always sports clothing. I do love my summer dresses and flowy tank tops, but I buy clothes very rarely. I’ve discovered I can save a lot of cash by not buying new clothes and spend it otherwise on traveling!
I’ve found over many years of traveling and living in conservative hot climate cultures that the best way to dress may not be the trendiest based on where you come from, but it is much better to respect the culture around you than to wear the latest style in your own country, which may not be appropriate for the country you are visiting.
Dressing for hot weather
When I was in Myanmar, it was a blistering 105F (40C) every day, but the culture there is very conservative and women do not show their knees or shoulders (nor do men!). if you cover up in this heat you will also avoid sunburn. I wore cool, loose, breathable cotton clothes and was not affected by the heat at all due to my clothing. Yes, it was hot, but I stuck to the shade, kept my skin covered as much as possible, and stayed hydrated!
My usual clothing choice for hot climate exploring: a light, cool, loose blouse and loose ankle-length cotton pants.
Another option is a long, cool, flowy skirt. Make sure it is not see-through! Flowy blouses that cover your shoulders can be cool and comfortable as well, but again, make sure that you can’t see your bra through the shirt. My go-to blouse and pants were cheap purchases from the local mall. You can find great deals in the off-season for summer clothing! For men, wearing quick-dry cargo pants and athletic wicking t-shirts can be cool alternatives for the heat. Andreas doesn’t go anywhere in a hot country without his cargo pants!
Andreas in his favorite cargo pants (Yangon, Myanmar)
An easy solution for if you aren’t sure of what is appropriate or not, and also if you are traveling in a religiously conservative country, is to always carry a sarong or very large scarf with you. You can easily cover your head to enter churches, temples, or mosques, wrap a makeshift skirt around your waist to cover your legs, and can cover your shoulders if you forgot to wear a t-shirt. Some places will offer you something to wear when you enter (I had to cover my shoulders recently in a church in Krakow and someone offered me a scarf at the entrance).
Appropriately fitted clothing
Another mistake to make might be the thought, “Well, if I have to cover my knees I’ll just wear my yoga pants.” Please don’t. In cultures that dress conservatively, yoga pants without an appropriate dress or long shirt covering your knees is definitely not appropriate. Wearing yoga pants in these cultures is basically being “naked” because they are skin-tight and don’t leave much to the imagination!
Do your research
Some of the research I do when visiting new countries is I look for photos of local people on Google. This is usually a very good indication of what is appropriate or not. I also research what people normally wear on a day to day basis in each country, and what is appropriate for the culture.
Example of everyday wear at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar
Photos taken by people who are paid to travel or “Instagram influencers” are not the best research. Even if your favorite Instagrammer is wearing a bikini or a tiny backless dress in the middle of India, please don’t follow their example! These people take photos to provide beautiful content. This is their job. If you are visiting a country and this is not your job, please respect the culture in what you choose to wear.
5 Tips to Takeaway
- Do your research on what is appropriate
- Wear cool, loose-fitting clothing in hot climates
- Quick-dry or athletic wicking clothes are great for hot climates
- When in doubt, dress appropriately anyway
- In conservative cultures a basic rule to follow is to cover your knees and your shoulders (men and women)
Myself and my lovely friend on the right – dressed appropriately for the hot climate in Egypt!