Is it true you cannot wear tops that reveal your shoulders in the town?
Pls only answer if you KNOW the answer.
Thanks
2006-09-05 02:16:42 · 22 answers · asked by kim7wheaton 2 in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ Egypt
You can wear anything you want in the more touristy areas but you may get a lot of harrasment from guys if you do. I would suggest wearing loose clothing that has at least 3/4 sleeves and pants or at least knee length or longer skirt. Althoughmost egyptians will just roll their eyes and say "uh! another half naked tourist" to themselves the ones that do approach you are likely to traet you as a prostitute because your wearing a tank top. I would even suggest dressing up in egyptian clothes you may not believe it but a light colored abaya and head covering is actually quite cool and lets move around in the city or even smaller villages without being harassed. It's really quite common though to see western fashion in the streets of tourist area's but if you happento go to a smaller village you will want to cover up as they are quite different than the cities. I dress like a muslim whenever I'm there. I get better shopping deals and noone harrases my when I go anywhere. A nice cotton light colored abaya is perfect in the egypt even in summer.
2006-09-05 18:15:03 · answer #1 · answered by cassandra581 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Just got back from Egypt yesterday!!
What you wear is entirely up to you, regardless of where or when you go. If you visit any religious buildings etc they require you to cover up (tourist attraction wise) they have smocks for you to put on if required. If you are not going on any arranged tours, ie going it alone, then you will need to cover below the knee and your shoulders, no plunging neck lines, open backs, hot pants etc
The only thing you need to be aware of is showing flesh is not common in true Egypt areas so if you show a bit of leg or shoulder people will stop and look, well in fact stare!.
2006-09-05 09:30:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I am going to Egypt in October and I also pondered this. To solve my problem as well as in hopes of staying half way cool I ended up in the swimwear section at Walmart and bought some gauzy cover up types shirts that are drastically on sale right now. I figure by wearing a tank underneath (they are gauzy but not extremely see through) and wearing one of them over top I should be able to cover up and still stay halve way cool. I have read time and again that it isn't that big of a deal but I do try to respect the dress codes of the country I am visiting as much as possible.
2006-09-05 09:28:00 · answer #3 · answered by traveler 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are no restriction on what to wear in Egypt except in the mosque's. Keep in mind however, that Egypt is a very conservative Muslim country and to not draw too much attention to yourself and to not offend others you should wear very conservative, long clothing, Long sleeves in a lightweight material are good to keep you from getting sunburned also. There is another advantage to dressing modestly, it will keep you from getting a lot of unwanted attention from Egyptian men. They have a tendency to think that anyone who is dressed in revealing clothing is an easy target for their attentions. Since in their society this is the only kind of women who are dressed this way.
All is all thought, Egypt is a wonderful country to visit and I know that you will enjoy your stay there.
2006-09-05 17:47:03 · answer #4 · answered by brendagho 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It's not that you aren't allowed, it's more of a respect thing. When I went to Egypt I was advised to cover my shoulders and wear trousers rather than shorts. If you are looking around any religious/sacred places you may be refused entry if you are inappropriately dressed.
2006-09-05 09:32:40 · answer #5 · answered by baby 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no its not true.. u can wear them.. however, u have to be prepared for some glances..
but to tell u the truth, most starers will stare anyway! regardless of having ur shoulders revealed or not! (note that i said most STARERS not PPL)
what is really not advisable is having miniskirts on, or tops that reveal ur stomach.. even if u do, the worst that can happen is hearing some offensive words and having ppl staring at u.. u wont be kidnapped or something of the like
enjoy ur stay!
2006-09-06 08:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by Stratomanssy 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You can wear anything you want. However, if you wish to avoid lots and lots of comments and harassment from men don't do it.
I've lived in Egypt for years and know what to wear and when.
If you're going to some summer resort in Egypt it's ok to wear 'light' clothing and that along with going out to night clubs,... in either Cairo or Alexandria.
You're not in your own country so please just be polite.
Have a nice time
2006-09-05 09:30:00 · answer #7 · answered by EYMORK 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
u can wear whatever u like in the streets and u will be safe, no problem.
bbut when u r inside a mosqe or church u have to cover ur hair, shoulders, and arms.
welcome to egypt :)
2006-09-07 12:29:44 · answer #8 · answered by dr_merobedro 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On the tourists resorts along the red sea, they are used to our Western tourists. But for the rest, get used to staring eyes and comments if you wear (in our eyes) normal summer clothes. If you wear miniskirt or shorts and/or short tops with open shoulders or with a deep cut on front or back, you will get a lot of comments (even loudly) by the men (and also of women), and especially on rural areas, they will touch you, give indecent proposals, and if you walk alone even worse...
Pleas respect the culture of other countries!
2006-09-05 12:50:06 · answer #9 · answered by Taaner 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I went on a Nile cruise about three years ago from Luxor to Aswan and would strongly recommend that you keep yourself covered up, not only out of respect when you visit temples and mosques but also because Egyptian men get a little bit excited when they see a scantily clad western woman. On the first evening after dinner on the boat, me and my friend decided to take a stroll in Luxor to soak up the culture. We were ogled shamelessly by Egyptian men despite being covered up with trousers and the like. We're not wusses when it comes to travel, but it was a scary experience I can tell you. There were two "mature" English ladies on the cruise who wore skimpy tops with inappropriate slogans, barely covering ample bosoms. That's all well and good for a beach holiday on the Costa Blanca, but NOT in Egypt. They wandered quite happily round the Valley of the Kings with their varicose veins bulging merrily beneath their tiny shorts, totally oblivious of the stares they were receiving from the locals. One evening the tour guide took us to a very important mosque. Again, me and my friend were covered up. The mature English ladies again wore not very much indeed and were dismayed to find they were required to wear scarves before entering the mosque. Be respectful and sensible when you visit Egypt, and read up on it as much as you can before you go so you don't offend anyone. Oh, and as an aside, one of the locals offered my friend two camels and a goat for me!!!
2006-09-05 09:46:17 · answer #10 · answered by trog 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋