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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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.
Don't show the soles of your feetYou'll notice that Egyptians often remove their shoes, not only when visiting the mosque, but also when entering a private house or Bedouin tent. However, when sitting barefoot, tuck your feet under or beside you. It's considered rude to point any part of your feet at someone.
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.
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!
If your feet are exposed to the sun do use sunblock as burnt feet are painful and difficult to deal with. Flip flops are fine for wearing in and around your hotel. For sightseeing, comfortable footwear is essential. The streets are dusty, the sites dusty, sandy, gritty, stony and uneven.
It's technically permissible to wear shorts in Egypt, though not regarded as appropriate outside of beach areas. It seems, however, that some girls do wear shorts. even short shorts, in Egypt outside of beach areas, so perhaps you could do so, as well.
“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.
Tops. When it comes to tops, packing for Egypt is pretty easy. There are two main things to keep in mind; no cleavage and cover your shoulders and midriff.
Packing a couple of tunics and long-sleeved shirts that you can slip over the top of your outfits is also a good idea for easy layering in more conservative areas. For mosque visits, female travellers should wear clothing that covers from ankle to elbow as well as decolletage and hair.
Like women, Egyptian men wear long sleeve shirts most of the time as well, although in the summer, short sleeve dress shirts, polos, or t-shirts are also common. Men may also be seen wearing a galabeya, a traditional garment that is like a loose, flowing, long-sleeved robe.
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.
But, as Egypt is an Islamic country it is to be expected. Remember, everyone is in the same boat. Wearing shorts, strappy tops, mini skirts, clothing that reveals too much flesh is a big NO. It will draw a lot of attention and, most importantly, it's seen as disrespectful to locals.
You'll be doing a lot of walking so you want to make sure you're comfortable! Otherwise, my go to travel shoe is usually a pair of birkenstocks! They are comfortable, durable and can be dressed up or down. They pair well with everything from locally bought outfits to denim shorts to sun dresses.
Do not kiss or embrace someone of the opposite sex in public. You will see Egyptian couples holding hands in the cities, but these will be married, engaged or courting.
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.
Midi and long dresses are where it's at! These are great to combat the heat, you can usually find ones in quite light fabrics, and they're a wonderful option when dressing for a conservative country.