Young woman visiting Egypt wanting advice on how to dress similar to egyptian cultural dress.?

Question

myself and my boyfriend are visiting egypt this year and I want to wear clothes that don't draw too much attention to me and are acceptable for the culture. We won't be in the touristy resorts.There are many answers addressing this subject on yahoo answers but none actually saying what egyptian women themselves wear. Can someone maybe who lives there or has been there tell me what an egyptian woman would wear and what parts are best covered up. Also could I buy something before I go?

I am very pale with long bright red hair so i will stand out in a crowd!

Answer 1

wear whatever u want here in egypt its open to all culturals , dont worry about that

Answer 2

Wear whatever you normally would. Don't obsess too much about your clothing. Just dress to be comfortable and decent. The most important thing is wear comfortable shoes. Don't try to buy clothes there - you will have a hard time finding things that fit right and clothes there are not that cheap. No you won't stand out in a crowd with your pale skin and light hair. And if you do - so what! Just go and have a good time. Cairo is a very cosmopolitan city and many foreigners live there. Almost everyone speaks English or attemps to. Alexandria, Ismailia and Port Said may have a slightly different feel and take a little getting used to. Of course if you go to Sharm you won't even feel like you are in Egypt. Tourism is Egypt's major economy. So of course you won't stand out - you will fit right in.

Answer 3

I agree that the first respondant is incredibly silly.

You need loose fitting tops that cover your shoulders and elbows and either below knee-length loose skirts or trousers that cover your knees. In the cities and in tourist areas, younger women are dressing much as we would, in jeans etc., but in more traditional areas you'll feel more comfortable in baggy trousers. Long lightweight skirts have their uses and may be cooler than trousers but make sure they're not see-through.

Unlike us Westerners, Egyptian women, like most Muslim women, dress such that they do not accentuate their figure. I suggest that you do the same. Also, loose fitting, light-coloured clothing will be cooler.

Take a selection of tops, trousers and skirts and then perhaps have a fun afternoon shopping in a market for something more 'local' once you're there. But don't go over the top...you will attract more attention as a Westerner trying to look like an Egyptian than as a Westerner dressed conservatively and seen to be respecting local culture & custom.

Muslim ladies cover their hair at all times when outside of their home, but that is a religious belief. However, you should take a head scarf in case you visit any religious sites (and they're handy for keeping the dust out of your mouth & nose if you go in to the desert).

Dress conservatively....and enjoy yourself.

Answer 4

Hi I am Australian, and spend a lot of time in urban also rural areas of Egypt.
Either due to work or study,but also for social purposes.
My colouring is much the same as yours.So I find I have to be careful which colour, hageb ,or veil as we call it ,that I wear.
As it should totally frame your face the colour is as important as your foundation makeups tone.
Get lots of little safety pins. A lot of Egyptian girls use normal pins.
As I am not proficient in using them,I have found, they either fall out or jab me!
The dress code of the female Egyptian population, varies quite a lot.
While girls and women choose to wear the veil, some also wear quite tight fitting western style dresses and tops,but worn over the top of a long sleeved tee shirt.
But this is usually just worn by the young girls around 13-18yrs.
The normal tops are usually long sleeved and loose and are worn together with either a long skirt,denim skirts are popular,or you can choose to wear jeans or pants.
I think the key is, nothing clingy,see through or tight fitting or with a low cut neckline.
When you are in the provinces and rural villages it is best to keep to this dress code all the time,where ever you are going day and night.
Long sleeved, loose fitting tops that come over the line of your hips. In the west many refer to them as "kaftan's tops".
But avoid the very light, see through type, or you will raise a few eyebrows.
You can find a great selection either in stores or at the markets.
Maybe make sure you have at least one or two suitable tops to bring.Then buy what you require here.
But in Cairo and the other cities a normal tee shirt is fine with pants or jeans.I would buy my jeans before I left, as the cut of a lot of the brands here, is a bit "different".
Either long A line skirts, jeans or pants. It is okay to wear the style that come to just below the knee, but not tight.
Keep your necklines modest. That is important.
If you are a bit unsure about a particular neckline,use your veil to cover it.
Remember, its a must to take your shoes of in a mosque and etiquette to do so in someones house.
Shoe style is, as you wish. But I am not sure if stiletto's would be practical or acceptable with jeans .LOL.
You can buy some beautiful scarfs or veils, also the band that goes underneath when you get there.
Any colour or fabric and its print or design is acceptable. As is the colour and print of your appropriate l/s top or long skirt.
White is not very practical and you'll end up with a thousand flies riding on your back,especially in the rural areas.
Long dresses, with a three quarter sleeve and a blouson top that is not at all figure hugging are popular in the rural areas.
Many married women wear them around the home,but to me,they are a bit"ordinary "and not suited at all for long walks, riding a bike or a donkey,scrambling over sand dunes or going down stairs and over obstacles at temples and tombs. but its your choice!
These come in plains or prints, usually of darker tones for practical reasons rather than dress code.You can buy them at the local peoples market, not at the tourist ones.
So as far as female dress code, that is the extent of my personal experience and observations.
Hoping this is of help to you.

Answer 5

Hi:

I went to Egypt last June. It is best to wear shirts that cover your shoulders and do not show any/much cleavage. You should not wear shorts unless they are capri type (the ones that go down t your knees). If you wear a skirt it should go down to your knees.
Do not wear tight/form fitting clothes either.

I know that many people go to Egypt and do not dress this conservatively. However, I feel you should respect their culture (predominantly Muslim). I also traveled with a few other females who did not dress as conservatively and they were constantly harassed. It does not take much effort to show respect to the culture and I also feel that I was treated better than the other females in my group because I was respectful.

Answer 6

Welcome to Egypt! if you do not want to draw attention please to yourself do not show a lot of skin or wear something revealing.. The most suitable clothing for u to wear would be a top with long sleeves. Half sleeves would still also be fine,however long sleeves is still preferred. jeans, pants, long skirts. Most Muslim women wear a head scarf but also many do not. so u do not need to wear one. so simply, just dress in a conservative manner. If you wear things like a tank top or shorts it is up to u but expect a lot of people to be starring at u and checking you out like crazy and some might try to harass and bother you if you're alone

Answer 7

The first answer you got to this is stupid and irresponsible. I know a girl who did not respect the cultural taboos with her dress and had an awful experience on a public bus in Cairo.
However, it is true that attitudes are slowly changing and it is hard to give a definitive answer.
As female friends of mine have done of trips to Egypt, Pakistan and the like I would recommend you pack long sleeve light blouses and skirts well below the knee (trousers are OK too) and a couple of headscarves but then, on arrival, go and buy some cheap and inexpensive local clothing that best suits you. That will delight local women and ensure you a warm welcome and acceptance wherever you go but also mean you do not blow a fortune on trying to get suitible gear in your own country.
Good luck

Answer 8

Modest dress is most advisable. You can buy some long skirts, or dress pants. Most women in the middle east either were a jilbab, abiya or long skirts, long shirts dress pants, women dont wear sporty clothing out too much. I definately wouldnt recommend wearing tank tops, cut offs, e.t.c. its not that someone is going to chase you down about it, its the "stare" factor you might receive by some fresh men.

Answer 9

Egyptian women and girls wear jeans, skirts, shirts and anything else you probably have in your own closet. Just try not to show too much skin when you're out and about (e.g. bare shoulders, legs, cleavage). By the way, there's some really good shopping around Cairo (try Citystars Mall if you're a label fan: Mango, Charles and Keith, Benetton...) Have a nice vacation.

Answer 10

we are always having this problem at the hotel, the men here in Egypt think that you are fair game if you are not wearing a yashmack or at least your hair covered, my best advice and this is what I have done with some young ladies in the past that have refused to go out of the hotel because of the touching and starring, we went out to the shops in Luxor and bought long dresses and long sleeved tops hippy style clothes something they where comfortable in, then they had no problems and enjoyed the rest of their holiday,
The women here are changing their custom and wearing euro styles, depends where you are but they still dress modestly. no knickers showing and that when they sit down,Cairo is almost the same as europe in styles, but in the upper part of Egypt Luxor, Aswan, the women still wear the black clothes trapesing in the dirt and all the muslim girls keep themselves covered, not the face but the hair, if I go down to my adopted family they always rush out to cover their hair, I am welsh living here in egypt.

so buy yourself long free flowing dresses and do not forget its always sunny here (see through dresses)
There is a good photo of a young German lady that had real problems with her attire and the photo is a good one to show you the type of clothes to wear,on the customer page, not allowed to advertise but put co.uk on the end,

Answer 11

As for cultural dresses I can't think of any as we don't have any,but about what we wear I can't generalize as there are very conservative women together with very liberal ones,so if you wanna be modest so you may wear anything with Long sleeves and jeans that would be perfect
Have a nice vacation :)