Skirts & Wats: How long is long enough
Oct 10th, 2007, 04:24 PM
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Skirts & Wats: How long is long enough
First trip to Asia, trying to plan on one checked suitcase (plus an empty to fill while I'm there) and am HORRIBLE at packing light - this is the girl who took 9 pairs of shoes to summer camp in fifth grade. I've read a million and one postings about what can and cannot be worn in Wats and in the Grand Palace, which is helpful, but I'm STILL confused (or perhaps in denial).
Skirts: If my knees are covered and I have a strap on my shoe (I'm thinking ballet flats are safe and easy to pack) will I be OK? Do skirts need to be long, long - like ankle length - or is an inch or two below the knee satisfactory and appropriate?
Pants: In terms of capri's, are we talking a couple of inches below the knee, mid calf, or ankle length? I have several pairs of what I call ankle pants (long but still above the ankle - maybe I should just call them high waters) and I'm trying to figure out where the proverbial line is drawn... Of course, I also want to be respectful and appropriate, so not trying to shimmy around a cultural situation using symantics, just don't want to pack way more than I need and don't want to be completely frumpy.
Guidance much appreciated and regardless of the responses, know that I'm thrilled to have a couple of weeks in a place where my black suit is not the answer!!
Thanks!
Skirts: If my knees are covered and I have a strap on my shoe (I'm thinking ballet flats are safe and easy to pack) will I be OK? Do skirts need to be long, long - like ankle length - or is an inch or two below the knee satisfactory and appropriate?
Pants: In terms of capri's, are we talking a couple of inches below the knee, mid calf, or ankle length? I have several pairs of what I call ankle pants (long but still above the ankle - maybe I should just call them high waters) and I'm trying to figure out where the proverbial line is drawn... Of course, I also want to be respectful and appropriate, so not trying to shimmy around a cultural situation using symantics, just don't want to pack way more than I need and don't want to be completely frumpy.
Guidance much appreciated and regardless of the responses, know that I'm thrilled to have a couple of weeks in a place where my black suit is not the answer!!
Thanks!
Oct 10th, 2007, 05:27 PM
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A skirt below the knee is fine.
The sign at the GP/EB shows mid-calf capris as a no-no. I know some people have reported being allowed in wearing capris (though what length isn't entirely clear). I would take the more conservative route and wear the longer pants there so I could assure I wouldn't get turned away.
The sign at the GP/EB shows mid-calf capris as a no-no. I know some people have reported being allowed in wearing capris (though what length isn't entirely clear). I would take the more conservative route and wear the longer pants there so I could assure I wouldn't get turned away.
Oct 10th, 2007, 06:40 PM
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Skirt:
Your skirt will be fine.
Capris:
I was "busted" at the Grand Palace in very respectable-looking mid-calf length capris (possibly because my sons were wearing basketball shorts). Had to rent a full-length wraparound sarong adorned with golden elephants. Boys were given cotton drawstring pants. We all ended up looking very exotic/ respectful in photos and even considered purchasing the more appropriate outfits.
No issues at the other temples with capris.
Sandals:
Temple fashion police did not cite me for woven open-toed sandals at Grand Palace or other wats.
Jeans:
Too warm.
Packing light:
3 capris, 5 tees/tanks, 2 skirts, your ballet flats, 1 pashmina or cotton sweater, bathing suit, cover up, keens, flip flops or casual sandals. Leave room for purchases.
Your skirt will be fine.
Capris:
I was "busted" at the Grand Palace in very respectable-looking mid-calf length capris (possibly because my sons were wearing basketball shorts). Had to rent a full-length wraparound sarong adorned with golden elephants. Boys were given cotton drawstring pants. We all ended up looking very exotic/ respectful in photos and even considered purchasing the more appropriate outfits.
No issues at the other temples with capris.
Sandals:
Temple fashion police did not cite me for woven open-toed sandals at Grand Palace or other wats.
Jeans:
Too warm.
Packing light:
3 capris, 5 tees/tanks, 2 skirts, your ballet flats, 1 pashmina or cotton sweater, bathing suit, cover up, keens, flip flops or casual sandals. Leave room for purchases.
Oct 10th, 2007, 08:16 PM
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Watergirl-be advised, the Imperial Palace fashion police are gonna give you the thrice over, because you are not Thai. If you are Thai, you can go in with the shortest skirts and backless slides that are 5 inches high. I know, I've seen it, and it has made me angry.
But to avoid a citation by the IP Fashion Police (I like that crosscheck!) which necessitates you walking a looooong way back to the entrance, and then going to the appointed building where you may rent socks, sarongs, proper footwear-for a price, of course- trust me, it's a big racket they've got going there.
As far as jeans, I wear jeans all over Bangkok, day and night, and I wore jeans to the Imperial Palace, so that will work out fine if that's what you want to do-just remember-have long pants, enclosed shoes, and at least a 3/4 sleeve shirt and you SHOULD be okay. (although no promises there-they might something they don't like!)
And as far as packing for Thailand and SE Asia-well, I use a 30 incher, then I ALWAYS have to buy another smaller suitcase on the way back for purchases I've made. That's just life.
But to avoid a citation by the IP Fashion Police (I like that crosscheck!) which necessitates you walking a looooong way back to the entrance, and then going to the appointed building where you may rent socks, sarongs, proper footwear-for a price, of course- trust me, it's a big racket they've got going there.
As far as jeans, I wear jeans all over Bangkok, day and night, and I wore jeans to the Imperial Palace, so that will work out fine if that's what you want to do-just remember-have long pants, enclosed shoes, and at least a 3/4 sleeve shirt and you SHOULD be okay. (although no promises there-they might something they don't like!)
And as far as packing for Thailand and SE Asia-well, I use a 30 incher, then I ALWAYS have to buy another smaller suitcase on the way back for purchases I've made. That's just life.
Oct 11th, 2007, 06:42 AM
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I don't know what she's going on about - the Imperial Palace? wrong country.
The rules are basically that your shoulders and knees must be covered(short sleeves are fine) and you must have a heel strap on your shoes (they do not need to be fully enclosed).
And while people talk about this being the dress code for the Grand Palace, it's really for the Wat of the Emerald Buddha which is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace, as it is considered the holiest site in Thailand.
I expect crosscheck is right, that her capris were more scrutinized beacuse her sons were not appropriately attired. The people letting you through the gate do have some leeway Thais are not held to the same dress standards as westerners, nor do they pay the same admission price. Personally, I'm fine with that.
The rules are basically that your shoulders and knees must be covered(short sleeves are fine) and you must have a heel strap on your shoes (they do not need to be fully enclosed).
And while people talk about this being the dress code for the Grand Palace, it's really for the Wat of the Emerald Buddha which is located on the grounds of the Grand Palace, as it is considered the holiest site in Thailand.
I expect crosscheck is right, that her capris were more scrutinized beacuse her sons were not appropriately attired. The people letting you through the gate do have some leeway Thais are not held to the same dress standards as westerners, nor do they pay the same admission price. Personally, I'm fine with that.
Oct 11th, 2007, 08:00 AM
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I don't know what she's going on about - the Imperial Palace? wrong country.
No, right country, Kathie-and "what I'm going on about" is the same thing I've gone on about before regarding the Thais and the arbitrary way they enforce their clothing regulations to get into the Imperial Palace or if YOU prefer, Kathie, the Grand Palace.
And it is in fact, a very important thing to "go on about," as you put it, because you see, Kathie dear, if you get to the entrance, and they DON'T like the way you are dressed, you have a very long walk back to the entrance, where you do in fact have to rent the appropriate clothing-with the racket they have going to divest the farangs of their money.
However if you are Thai, you can go in dressed like a hooker, and they won't care. THAT'S the point I'm making, it's NOT based on respect for the Temple, Kathie, dear, it is based SOLELY on farang v. Thai-and the Thais are not bound to those same clothing regulations. Okay? Now, if you don't want to believe that the Thais are exempt from the clothing regulations, that's okay, you can believe whatever you want-the moon is made of green cheese. But I asked the guard about it there at the gate and he brusquely told me "they are Thai" THAT'S why the Thais go in a separate entrance-and this one young woman was wearing 5 inch backless slides and a short dress as she went in with her two friends, and she wasn't even looked at by the guard.
So no one should believe that the clothing regulations are based on anything other than discrimination against foreigners, and that it can be a bit arbitrary there at the entrance, depending on the guard-so you'd best cover up as much as possible to avoid having to go back in order to spend more money to please them.
No, right country, Kathie-and "what I'm going on about" is the same thing I've gone on about before regarding the Thais and the arbitrary way they enforce their clothing regulations to get into the Imperial Palace or if YOU prefer, Kathie, the Grand Palace.
And it is in fact, a very important thing to "go on about," as you put it, because you see, Kathie dear, if you get to the entrance, and they DON'T like the way you are dressed, you have a very long walk back to the entrance, where you do in fact have to rent the appropriate clothing-with the racket they have going to divest the farangs of their money.
However if you are Thai, you can go in dressed like a hooker, and they won't care. THAT'S the point I'm making, it's NOT based on respect for the Temple, Kathie, dear, it is based SOLELY on farang v. Thai-and the Thais are not bound to those same clothing regulations. Okay? Now, if you don't want to believe that the Thais are exempt from the clothing regulations, that's okay, you can believe whatever you want-the moon is made of green cheese. But I asked the guard about it there at the gate and he brusquely told me "they are Thai" THAT'S why the Thais go in a separate entrance-and this one young woman was wearing 5 inch backless slides and a short dress as she went in with her two friends, and she wasn't even looked at by the guard.
So no one should believe that the clothing regulations are based on anything other than discrimination against foreigners, and that it can be a bit arbitrary there at the entrance, depending on the guard-so you'd best cover up as much as possible to avoid having to go back in order to spend more money to please them.
Oct 11th, 2007, 08:09 AM
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P.S. I didn't pass muster, notwithstanding my long pants and long shirt, because I had on slides-so I had to make the long trek back to rent socks and sandles with a strap across the back of the heel, while I watched the aforementioned Thai woman with very high heeled slides waltz on through.
Oct 11th, 2007, 11:22 AM
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As far as I know they do not rent you anything...socks?? If you are not properly dressed they give you what you need but you have to leave your passport or 200 baht as deposit and when you return the articles they give it back to you,so it is free
Oct 11th, 2007, 12:40 PM
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Well, while I do not begrudge the guards for being more strict about the attire or appearance of foreign visitors (it is their Palace after all) I certainly don't look the first bit Thai (maybe a Thai-Nordic combo with a little bit of an Irish kick, but even that would be a stretch) so all of this advice has been particularly helpful. Thanks!
I'll follow the long pants or long skirts guidance and try to have sleeves to my elbows. Perhaps the fact that Tong will be with us will help if we are a little into the Gray area. Regardless, all this talk about shoes off and on in public places reminds me to pack hand sanitizer - but for my FEET!!
Once again, great advice from the Fodorites. You make trip planning so much easier!! Thanks...
I'll follow the long pants or long skirts guidance and try to have sleeves to my elbows. Perhaps the fact that Tong will be with us will help if we are a little into the Gray area. Regardless, all this talk about shoes off and on in public places reminds me to pack hand sanitizer - but for my FEET!!
Once again, great advice from the Fodorites. You make trip planning so much easier!! Thanks...
Oct 16th, 2007, 05:42 AM
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Note than in all active wats (or pagodas, in VN) you should have your shoulders and knees covered. The more restictive dress code described in above posts applies only to the Grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok.
In Siem Reap, since the temples you are visiting are no longer active, the dress code does not apply in the same way. Still, the temples contain Buddha images still tended by Buddhist monks and nuns. So dress and behave respectfully.
Note that being a socialist country has no impact on the respect that people show in pagodas (as they are known in VN).
In Siem Reap, since the temples you are visiting are no longer active, the dress code does not apply in the same way. Still, the temples contain Buddha images still tended by Buddhist monks and nuns. So dress and behave respectfully.
Note that being a socialist country has no impact on the respect that people show in pagodas (as they are known in VN).
Oct 16th, 2007, 11:42 PM
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A woman travelling in my small group had the right idea. She wore a halter neck top and shorts...and simply carried in her day pack a very lightweight shawl and sarong type thingy that she put on whenever she entered temples etc.
Seemed the perfect answer while still being comfortable when wandering the normal sights and markets.
Seemed the perfect answer while still being comfortable when wandering the normal sights and markets.
Oct 17th, 2007, 06:51 AM
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Mitch, obviously, I wasn't there, but I find the idea of a woman wandering around (other than at a resort) in a halter top and shorts in Indochina to be a really bad idea. Not only is it not respectful of the local culture, but baring more skin does not make one more comfortable in a tropical climate. While she had things to cover her for entering temples, I am still struck by her cluelessness.
Oct 17th, 2007, 04:18 PM
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I don't disagree with you Kathie..but compared to what she sometimes wore on the cruise vessel, her on-shore outfit was far more tasteful *grins*. I point out she was the exception as opposed to the rule.
Oct 18th, 2007, 08:36 PM
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I wore a skirt to my knees and a short sleeved shirt and they smiled at me, waved me in, and said "You're fine". I am Asian but not Thai by any means and I think I looked obviously like a farang since my husband is blond hair blue eyed.
Hubby wore those convertible pants.
Hubby wore those convertible pants.
