What to Wear When Visiting Egypt
One of the most frequently asked questions people asked me about Egypt was, “is it hot?” And my answer is “yes!” Egypt has a hot desert climate and is hot year-round. Even though I visited in September, temps were still in the 80’s to 90’s. My goal for packing for Egypt was to make sure I had clothes that could beat the heat, while also dressing modestly to be respectful towards Egypt’s culture. Egypt is an Islamic country, so I chose outfits that were both comfortable and that didn’t reveal a lot. Here are some of my best tips for what to wear in Egypt:
Jumpsuits and wide legged pants are your friend here!
Ditch the jeans and leggings and opt for loose-fitting clothing that will allow air to circulate. Another bonus about packing jumpsuits is they take up less space in your suitcase and they make you look put together. Wide legged pants are another great option as they are super comfortable and can be dressed up or down.
Bring a scarf
One of the most versatile accessories I brought with me to Egypt was a lightweight cotton scarf. A lightweight cotton scarf can help cover your shoulders when you enter more conservative areas like mosques or other religious sites where it’s helpful to have your shoulders and arms covered. You can also use a scarf to wrap around your head as a hijab, especially if you are in a more conservative area and don’t want to draw a lot of attention to yourself.
Bring a hat
A hat is another great accessory to help shield yourself from the desert heat, just be forewarned that the desert winds can blow your hat straight from your head.
Dress modestly
While I noticed a lot of other tourists wearing shorts and tank tops, I didn’t want to draw a lot of attention to myself and chose to dress modestly. While it seemed fine to wear shorts and tank tops at the tourist sites, wearing revealing outfits can draw unwanted attention, especially outside of tourist areas.
Don’t forget sunglasses!
Seriously. The desert sun is often blinding, not to mention sandstorms are a real thing. Protect your eyes and bring your sunglasses.
Happy travels!
