Respecting the local customs (which includes dressing the part!) is important on any trip to Egypt. As a rule of thumb, especially for women, chest, shoulders, and knees should be covered at all times when not at beach resorts.
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Respecting the local customs (which includes dressing the part!) is important on any trip to Egypt. As a rule of thumb, especially for women, chest, shoulders, and knees should be covered at all times when not at beach resorts.
Pants, t-shirts, and long-sleeve shirts are acceptable as clothes to wear in Egypt. Avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless shirts to fit in with local customs. Men do not need a head-covering scarf to enter mosques.
Egyptian men do not often wear shorts, but they are perfectly fine for a male tourist to wear. Aside from beachside resort cities, it is not recommended for female tourists to ever wear shorts in Egypt. Before traveling to Egypt for the first time, many travelers ask us what clothes to bring.
A shirt/t-shirt with a pair of loose pants would be ideal. Capri pants, maxi dresses, or even shorts would work too, as long as the shorts are cut long (knee length). Dresses or skirts are fine… unless you are planning on riding a horse or camel!
Cairo, on the other hand, was more conservative outside of the touristy attractions. A few people have also asked if sandals are okay or if you must cover your feet. The good news is that any comfortable shoe will work!
“General Rule of Thumb” Tips for What to Wear in Egypt as a Woman: Tops: Avoid tops that show cleavage or your stomach. Sorry, no crop tops! When wearing a tank top, bring a thin chambray shirt, linen shirt or long scarf with you in case you need to cover up to feel comfortable or get out of the sun.
Jeans, even white jeans, can be hot. (Update: Best to not take jeans unless you're wearing them in the evening, they are just too heavy/hot. Stick with light, cotton pants, dresses or shorts.)
Go with a flowing maxi dress to stay cool during daytime events. Knee-length or longer dresses are fine to wear during the day. The flowy material of a maxi dress can help keep you cool in the desert heat, too. You could also try a midi dress or skirt.
Egyptian men do not often wear shorts, but they are perfectly fine for a male tourist to wear. Aside from beachside resort cities, it is not recommended for female tourists to ever wear shorts in Egypt.
There are lots of stones, rocks and other objects which you can accidently kick when you visit the pyramids in Egypt. Sandals also don't offer any support for your feet or ankles. A good pair of leather walking shoes or a pair of good quality breathable trainers are far more suitable for visiting the pyramids.
The best clothing to wear for visiting the pyramids in Egypt would be airy clothes like loose dresses or pants, a loose fitting shirt or blouse with long sleeves and comfortable shoes.
Most important, dress conservatively. Bare arms and legs will indicate that you are the loose Westerner of their imagination, and you will find the level of harassment increasing commensurately. Tight jeans and tops are better than shorts and a tank top, but not by much.
In Egypt, it is technically illegal for unmarried couples to share a hotel room, and many hotels will require couples to provide proof of marriage upon check-in. However, some hotels in Cairo may be more lenient or discreet about enforcing these laws.