How to Dress in Egypt As a Woman

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: January 25, 2021 References

Whether you’re going for the ancient history, the modern cities, or the mesmerizing beaches, Egypt is a country you don’t want to miss out on. Since Egypt is a mostly Muslim society, there are a few basic things you need to keep in mind when packing your wardrobe. In general, try to keep your knees, shoulders, and cleavage covered for an enjoyable and safe visit.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Casual Outfits

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Cover your shoulders in a T-shirt or sweater. A good rule of thumb is to always keep your shoulders covered in Egypt, no matter how hot it is. Strappy tank tops and strapless shirts are a no-go, but cap sleeve shirts and T-shirts are fine.^{[1]
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- During the day, you’ll probably want a loose-fitting T-shirt to stay cool. At night, a sweater or jacket might be nice as it starts to cool down.
2
Stick with loose skirts or dresses that are longer than knee-length. Midi skirts, maxi skirts, midi dresses, and maxi dresses are all fine as long as they go past your knees. Mini skirts and dresses aren’t okay, so leave those at home.^{[2]
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- Flowy skirts and dresses are great for the Egyptian heat, so pack a few!
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3
Go for lightweight pants or capris that stop past the knee. Skinny jeans are fine as long as they stop well below your knees, but denim can be a little heavy during the day. Loose-fitting trousers, like linen, are great, like linen, especially in the warmer weather.^{[3]
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- Leggings and other form-fitting bottoms are okay long as they’re past your knees and paired with a long tunic top to cover your bum.
4
Avoid tight-fitting or revealing clothing so you won't stand out. Anything that conforms to your body or shows off skin (or cleavage) isn’t acceptable to wear in Egypt. When in doubt, go for something loose that covers your body.^{[4]
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- Although it isn’t enforceable by law, wearing revealing clothing will probably get you a lot of stares and comments from locals.
5
Wear a T-shirt over your bathing suit to respect their modest culture. If you’re going swimming, you can wear a modest one-piece bathing suit in the water with a T-shirt over it. If you feel uncomfortable in a bathing suit, you can just swim in a T-shirt and capris.^{[5]
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- If you’re in a hotel pool with other tourists, you don’t have to wear a shirt over your suit.
- Make sure you bring a cover-up and conservative clothing to wear on the way to and from the beach.
6
Opt for comfy, close-toed shoes so you can walk around with ease. If you’re going to be walking around the city a lot, go for sneakers that have some extra cushion. You can wear sandals if you’d like, but make sure they’re comfortable enough that you can take long treks in them.^{[6]
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- If you’re staying in a hostel, bring a pair of flip flops to protect your feet in the shared showers.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Formal Outfits

1
Wear long trousers and a long sleeve shirt for evening events. As the weather gets cooler, you may want to cover up a little more. If you’re going to a nice restaurant, try wearing a long sleeve shirt and wide-legged trousers.^{[7]
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- Cotton trousers are great for the desert since they help to wick away moisture.
2
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.^{[8]
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- You could also try a midi dress or skirt.
3
Pair a cocktail dress with a coverup or jacket for formal parties. Most formal or fancy parties have a very loose dress code, which means short cocktail dresses are okay. However, you should wear conservative clothing on the way to and from the party to avoid any stares or comments.^{[9]
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- If you’re going to wear jewelry, try to keep it minimal. Flashy rings and necklaces can draw attention to you as you walk around the city, especially at night.
4
Wear low-heeled sandals to dress up your outfit a bit. If you want to dress up a little bit, don’t go straight for high heels. Instead, wear comfortable sandals to make walking around on uneven city streets easier.^{[10]
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- If you would like to wear heels to a party, try taking them with you in your purse and changing once you get to the venue.
5
Put on long sleeves and pants if you're going into a mosque. Mosques and religious territories are much more conservative and strict. If you do go into one of these buildings, make sure your legs and arms are fully covered.^{[11]
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- If you’re traveling with any men, they’ll need to wear pants too.
- If you happen upon a mosque and you aren’t fully covered up, don’t worry! The people working there will give you a robe-like garment to wear while you’re inside.
6
Cover your hair with a scarf if you enter a mosque. While you don’t have to wear a hijab all the time, if you enter any religious areas, you’ll be asked to cover your hair. Carry a large, thin scarf or shawl to throw on if you head into a mosque.^{[12]
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- If you want to wear a hijab the whole time you’re in Egypt, you can! This might help you blend in with the locals and draw less attention to yourself as you walk around the city.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Weather Considerations

1
Stick to lightweight, comfortable clothing so you won't get hot. The weather in Egypt is warm and humid most of the year, so tight clothes and heavy fabrics can be pretty uncomfortable. Opt for loose-fitting, moisture-wicking garments to keep you cool and comfortable on your travels.^{[13]
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- Cotton, linen, and denim are great lightweight fabrics for Egypt.
2
Pack jackets and sweaters for chilly nights especially in the winter. While it might be hot during the day, temperatures tend to dip down at night in Egypt. It also gets a bit chilly during the winter, so bring a light jacket or a cardigan with you when you’re out and about.^{[14]
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- Some homes in Egypt don’t have heating in them, so pack a few extra sweatshirts and jackets if you're visiting during the wintertime.
- You can also use your head scarf to keep your arms warm at night.
3
Bring along a light rain jacket if you're visiting the coast. If you’re visiting Alexandria or anywhere along the Mediterranean coast, the weather tends to be rainy in the winter and spring. Cairo doesn't get a lot of rain, but you still may want to pack a rain jacket so you'll be prepared.^{[15]
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4
Wear sunglasses to combat the harsh sun. While this seems like a no-brainer, forgetting your sunglasses can seriously ruin your day. Try to bring along a few pairs just in case you lose or break one to protect your eyes during the day.^{[16]
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- This is especially important if you’re going to travel outside of the city where the sun reflects off the sand.^{[17]
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