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Clothing Requirements

As you travel throughout Muslim countries, you should be prepared to adopt whatever clothing requirements apply.  You might be tempted to slim down to comfortable shorts and a tank top shirt, but doing so might expose you to unwanted attention or harassment.  In fact, in some Muslim countries, women who refuse to adhere to strict clothing requirements are often subject to legal punishment.   

Although the exact restrictions vary from country to country, the following 3 rules should help you out in most situations: 

  1. Your fabric should be thick enough to hide your skin and outline underneath.  Pantyhose and mesh clothing fail to satisfy this requirement.
  1. Your clothing should be loose and unrevealing.  Tapered waists, push-up bras, and any other enhancements that accentuate the female form should be avoided.
  1. Your clothing should be modest.  Avoid flashy jewelry, designer brands, and any other outward projections of affluence or vanity.  This includes makeup, nail polish, and highly stylized hairdos. 
Although your wardrobe might be modest enough to satisfy all of the above requirements, be prepared to add additional garments as you travel in various Muslim countries.  This online guide provides a useful snapshot of women’s attire.  However, the best way to blend in is to take your cues from the local women.  If they aren’t wearing cutoff T-shirts, jeans, or sandals, neither should you.
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