What's the dress code for women in Egypt?

Question

Me & my girlfriend are going to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt on holiday in December 2007.

I was wondering what the dress code will be for my girlfriend as the guide book says the country is Islamic & no flesh should be shown in public.

My girlfriend will be wanting to wear skirts & low cut tops when we go out into Sharm at night but we don't want Egyptian men perving on her & we don't want to offend anybody.

Your comments would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Sharm el Sheikh is not really like the rest of Egypt. It is purely a holiday resort area and for that reason very western in its outlook. 25 years ago it did not even exist as the area was purely a home for about 100 subsistence fishermen.

I have been down there twice in the last year or so including Christmas 2005 and believe me its a good place to be at that time of year. The temperature is not too hot (in the winter it averages 26 degrees centigrade) and its bustling with life as all the other summer holiday places like Greece and Spain are too cold to visit at that time of year.

Your girlfriend can wear what she likes because all the other women will be. Going to Sharm is no different to say visiting Spain. Its very relaxed, the people there are unbelievably friendly, and you will enjoy yourself no end.

The Egypt you present in your question is not the Egypt I know at all. It sounds to me like you're getting confused with Afghanistan!!

Answer 2

Egypt Dress Code

Answer 3

Cairo may be the capital of Egypt and among the biggest towns in Africa and the Middle East and a great place to go to; discover more with hotelbye . On the Nile stream, Cairo is famous for its own history, maintained in the incredible ancient Islamic city and Coptic websites in Old Cairo. The Egyptian Museum in the heart of town is a must see, with its countless Old Egyptian artefacts since number visit to Cairo will be total with out a stop by at the Giza Pyramids, and to the regional Saqqara Pyramid Complex. In Cairo you can see: The Pyramid of Cheops (also called the Great Pyramid or Pyramid of Khufu), the largest pyramid of the Giza party, and its inside of slim articles could be explored, although there is not significantly to see, except an ordinary tomb chamber having an clear sarcophagus. Straight behind the Great Pyramid is the Solar Ship Museum, which shows one of the ceremonial solar barques unearthed in the region that has been carefully repaired to its original glory. More south on the plateau is the Pyramid of Chephren (also known as the Pyramid of Khefre), which has an inside tube area that can be entered.

Answer 4

You and your girlfriend can wear whatever you want in Sharm its very laid back and you wont have much trouble in terms of skimpy dress.

You will be pestered to go into shops etc like perfume shops and food places other than that everyone is real chilled its a watch the world go by kinda place with people laying topless on some parts of the beach....friendly fishes by the way the come explore around your legs....watch for spiky sea urchins....snorkel or go on a glass boat!

Night life, there was one club really that we noticed but entry price was higher than london so we spent nights sitting low to the ground sipping cocktails and smoking shisha pipes.

I have been all over Egypt full circle from Cairo to Luxor to Hurgada across the Red Sea to Sharm then Sinai (burning bush etc) and then back to Cairo only things i would say to watch out for is......clean water, dairy products (trust me an overnight train from Cairo heading south is no fun with the runs!) and DONT point cameras at any women covered up in the hijabs or the full gowns they get VERY upset, im serious i actually have a sony memory stick at the bottom of the Nile because of that learning curve!

So go have fun! Sharm El Sheikh is one place you will fall in love with and go back to time and again.

Answer 5

Please show respect for the customs of other countries.
Out of your hotel you both should cover up. Short skirts, low cut tops and men in shorts are all offensive in a Muslim country. I am sure your girlfriend has attractive trousers and pretty shirts which she can wear when out and about over her low cut tops. Once inside she can take off the shirt.
We were on a flight with an English couple who couldn't understand why the wife had been headbutted by an Egyptian woman in a public place. The way she was dressed would have been considered OK in the UK in summer but in Egypt she looked like a prostitute.
Egypt is a wonderful country with lovely friendly people. Respect them and they will respect you. Learn a few words of Arabic, which will be appreciated, and enjoy your holiday.

Answer 6

The dress code for Muslim women is that their body should be covered. However, unfortunately, and I say unfortunately cuz I'm against this, but don't mind me, In sharm and ghurdagha and all tourist places, foriegners get to dress the way they want. they wear short skirts, tank tops, bikinis, (and sometimes no bikini on the beach) so ur girlfriend should be of a normal sight there as sharm is full of tourists who dress in the same way. and yes, some men will be checking her out, Egyptians or others.... welcome to Egypt

Answer 7

Your girlfriend wearing low cup tops and mini-skirts will be unacceptable. Egypt is an islamic country and they will be offended if a women dressed like that and anyways all eyes would be on you so it would feel uncomfortable. Like you said you don't want Egyptian men perving on her..then no offence she's gonna have to reconsider what to wear. It won't be as hot at night so t-shirt and jeans will be fine.

God bless and have a nice time in Egypt..

Answer 8

I think that skirts tend to either look kind of cheap or trashy if they are tight and short, or they are just the ordinary jean skirts that are not necessarily sexy.

Answer 9

Try maxi dresses with the comparative aspect slits those can look great on you! It doesn't matter if you have long legs or not only strut that skirt

Answer 10

when i went there last year, i found that the mmore conservative you are, the better they treat you. i didnt have my mid-rift out or any form of a low cut top. the worn 3quarter skirts and shorts. the one person on the tour wore vary revealing shirts, and the locals wouldnt take her seriously.

in my opinion your girl friend could still look good for you covering up a little bit. in the end its for her about not feeling uncomfortable. the younger generations will not leave her alone..

good luck going to egypt. its a beautiful country and ill return one day