From Canada to the Middle East and from The United States to Australia, Journeywoman (http://www.journeywoman.com) has received countless bits of advice on what is appropriate clothing for a woman traveling in Egypt. Here is a sampling for you to use when making your packing list...
You
may consider bringing a scarf to drape over your hair in addition to covering
your legs and shoulders. Also, if you have a female child with blonde hair, you
may consider buying her a hat to wear in the street as the Egyptians like to
(and find it acceptable) to touch blonde hair.
Phyllis, Palm Desert, USA
Having
spent the last three years living in Cairo, I'd like to remind women to respect
the local dress code. ie. no shorts. If you do wear shorts, you will be seen as
wearing your underwear on the street, and will get attention you probably don't
want. And even if you are French or German and that is what you do at home,
topless sunbathing at hotels in Luxor is an absolute no-no. The waiters and
other employees around the pool are generally Muslim and baring your breasts is
disrespectful. This leads these men to believe that all foreign women are
"Pretty Babies" and will pursue you relentlessly.
Heather, Ottawa, Canada
If
you must wear t-shirts make sure they are baggy and the sleeves come down at
least to your elbows. Don't wear tight fitting anything. Remember, long skirts
past the knee, please. The less flesh showing the more respect you will be
shown. If you have long hair try and keep it tied back. If you smoke try to
refrain from doing it in public (women smoking is still not accepted in some
parts of the Middle East).
Jennifer, Warriewood, Australia
For Egypt, I cannot
emphasize that conservative clothing is better. No Shorts, halters, tank-tops,
even short sleeves will get too much attention. You don't have to look like a
nun on vacation, but don't be stupid enough to think that you can dress like you
do in the U.S./Canada overseas. Also, being neat and clean (no raggedy jeans),
combed hair counts for a lot overseas. Many cultures, especially the Egyptian
and Bolivian (and many other Latin cultures) take much more pride in dressing up
than North American culture does.
Brooke, Cambridge, USA
I recently spent 10
days in Egypt, mostly Cairo and Luxor; best advice is for women to bring mid
calf cotton skirts and long sleeve linen/cotton blouses to wear when venturing
out in public- you'll feel more at ease in the culture and still remain cool.
You're going to attract attention as a foreigner anyways, but at least it won't
be because of "provocative" dress. It will also show a degree of respect for
their culture. If you have allergies, bring your meds - Cairo is extremely
polluted - worse than anything I've experienced from LA to New York - some days
are worse than others but all days were bad - my lungs and eyes burned! Luxor
was a welcome relief but the air was still bothersome.
Mara T. Harrington, Fox Point, WI, USA
Traveling in the
Middle East, I found my two most useful clothing choices were: a puffy, white,
long-sleeved cotton blouse, and a full, calf-length, black cotton skirt. Both
were cut generously enough that I was cool and comfortable, sober enough that no
one could confront me, and formal enough that I could wear them to Shabbat
dinner (Israel) and to mosques (Egypt) alike.
Miranda, Victoria, Canada
When I arrived in
Cairo and saw what women were wearing, I felt relieved. I was expecting more
veils and coverings on women. (It is true that acceptable attire ranges with who
is in political power). I was fine -- I wore light (not see through) long
skirts, a cotton long-sleeved button down shirt, and
my hair pulled back. Outside of Cairo, a light colored patterned scarf tied or
wrapped below the chin with no jewelry was more appropriate. If you are going to
be outside most of the time, a wide rimmed hat with a scarf around your neck
will keep you cooler. Carry a fan. It's ve-r-r-ry hot here.
Jody, Boulder, USA
Living in Cairo,
I've found that sarongs (cotton) are absolutely invaluable for roaming around,
touring, shopping, etc. You can adjust the length according to taste and
surroundings (i.e., to your ankles for mosques, mid-calf while shopping, above
the knee in Hurghada), they are cool in the hot weather, and can also serve as
towel, scarf, or blanket while traveling. I use safety pins to fasten them.
Also, wear sunglasses dark enough to hide your eyes. Making eye contact is
considered flirtatious, even if it's unintentional. When touring, a silk chiffon
scarf is also useful when going into mosques, etc. but also to protect your bare
head from the sun. The chiffon isn't bulky to stuff or tie somewhere when you
don't need it.
Susan, Cairo, Egypt
I traveled in Eqypt
and I wore a loose, midcalf length cotton skirt and long-sleeved white blouse
with a big, square white cotton scarf. I was as cool as I would have been in
shorts, I was ready to visit a mosque whenever we stumbled upon one, and I could
"hide" under the headscarf anytime I felt uncomfortable. I had no unpleasant
interactions with men - one shopkeeper even made a very favorable comment about
my mode of dress--i.e. that I looked like an Egyptian
woman. My whole experience of Egypt was very different from many women travelers
I met who had been there -- I attribute this to the message my clothes sent.
And, unlike one woman I met, I didn't have to go to the extreme of dying my
naturally blonde hair to avoid unwanted attention!
Jolie, Toronto, Canada
While traveling
with a group in Egypt, we came across one situation quite often and at first
unexpected. Women MUST cover up any bare skin when entering most mosques. The
first time (when we were unprepared) we ended up tying the men's sweaters and
coats around our legs so we could get into these sites. This was definitely
frowned upon by the locals and the employees. I suggest traveling prepared with
a skirt or pants that you can slip on before entry if you find them
uncomfortable to wear as you're traveling.
Jennifer, Toronto, Canada
Editor's note: A long skirt in a "cool" fabric is invaluable for day and
evening wear. They are far less constricting in hot temperatures and a blessing
when using toilets in some countries.
While walking
shorts are alright for touring in Egypt, I would not recommend mini skirts or
short-shorts. Not only is this culturally not acceptable, it can be dangerous
(due to religious extremism outside of the large cities of Cairo and
Alexandria). I wore long skirts or those casual, comfortable elastic waist,
drawstring pants. A woman,( and a man for that fact), should be very considerate
of religious "dress" while in mosques. While no one may prevent your entrance,
it is considerate not to enter mosques in shorts (men & women) or with bare
shoulders. You should also remove your shoes before entering. You will find that
if you respect this culture's "semi-conservative" dress code, you will be
harassed less and accorded more respect by men as well as women.
Lori, San Francisco, USA
I traveled in
Egypt. My advice is as follows: skirts are cooler than jeans in a desert
climate. For women, shorts are just not an option in a Muslim country, unless
you want tons of whistles, stares, and very high "tourist" prices for cab fares
and souvenirs. I like wearing "broom" skirts, as they are long (past your
knees), cool, inexpensive, and pack well in a backpack (or suitcase). T-shirts
are fine to wear in public. You'll almost never need to wear sleeves to your
wrists, unless going into a mosque.
Alison, USA
I have just read in
my local paper that according to Travel Holiday Magazine,
it is illegal for women to expose their arms in mosques in Cairo.
Evelyn, Toronto, Canada
Bikini bathers
beware in Egypt.. On public beaches there are few foreign tourists, and almost
all Egyptian women swim in their clothes. On private beaches, you'll feel far
less self-conscious as you'll be amongst other women (both Egyptian and
tourists) who will be wearing swimming gear.
Natania Jansz, Miranda Davies, More Women Travel, Rough Guide Special
Though Egyptian
cities are very modern and local women may appear in public with makeup, jewelry
and flowing black hair, they always dress conservatively. They do not show their
shoulders or wear tight shirts. Their skirts are always just past their knees,
or they wear slacks. It is rare to see an Egyptian woman or man in shorts. In
the smaller towns of Egypt, many females will wear the traditional galabiyya
(loose gowns) and most will cover their hair.
In Egypt, my philosophy is
to dress as the local women do. Bring shirts that cover your shoulders; T-shirts
are fine. I always cover my legs with long, cool, cotton Indian skirts. And, in
the evening, I wear long culottes that look like a skirt. If you follow this
formula, it indicates a respect for the culture and, you won't be approached or
stared at as often by the local men.
Johanna Sinclair, Toronto, Canada