In April we visited the Blue Mosque. They had plastic bags at the entrance as someone else already mentioned. You had to remove your shoes and then carry them with you and dispose of the plastic bag upon leaving. I did have a scarf with me but our quide said it was not necessary to put it on, most of the women had uncovered heads. I have no problem with showing respect for the customs of others. IMO capris and a cotton top that covers your shoulders is just as comfortable as shorts and a tank top.

We had one loud obnoxious English speaking person on our tour that embarrassed us all. He did not want to remove his shoes because he was diabetic and did not want to be without shoes. He actually yelled that he should not have to because he was not Muslim. He was a very nasty man. Our tour quide told him he could wait outside for the rest of us but if he wanted to go inside he had to remove his shoes.

To the above poster, I loved our 3 days in Istanbul. Don't cheat yourself out of meeting history because of dress codes.

My point is that, for the most part, you can dress in Istanbul as you would in any major European city. And as in any other city, you need to dress modestly when entering a house of worship. There is no proscription against sneakers, or any other type of footwear; you need to be barefoot or with your feet clothed in socks to enter the mosques.

Choosing to forego one of the world's greatest cities because of this, or because you might be disturbed my morning prayer calls, or because your husband cannot wear long pants, or because of an isolated "incident" at the embassy of the US, strikes me as a shame.

Totally agree with eks - Istanbul is a wonderful destination, and if you don't want to conform to the dress code for the mosques there are plenty of other worthwhile sights. Outside of the mosques I wouldn't worry too much about what you're wearing - my female Turkish guide in '99 certainly didn't, and she was not only Turkish but also a Muslim. Although it's true that there are more women in burkhas or headscarves in Istanbul now than when I was there first in '74, the secular groups are still strong.

Wow thanks for all the responses! Keep 'em coming!

I didn't mean to cause any controversy - of course I will dress appropriately if I need to for the mosques, I would never miss that opportunity! I mostly just wanted to know if I could wear shorts (not too short) instead of pants and a tank - as I do throughout the rest of Europe (even for churches). It will be August and extremely hot! And for those of you who are thinking/say "Would you ever wear short shorts and a tank top in New York?" -- I LIVE in New York City. What do you think people wear in the summer? Obviously very short (or booty) shorts are always inappropriate anywhere in public, if you ask me, but if you visit here in the summer everyone wears shorts, tank tops, and sneakers. And it's 100% acceptable everywhere (except the nice restaurants, of course).

It looks like from what you all are saying, as well as what I've read on other boards and websites, some still feel that you should dress more modestly in Turkey but that times are changing and as the city is becoming more Westernized other "more revealing" clothing for women (ie, shorts vs pants) is more accepted in Istanbul than it was in the past.

I think my plan is to wear decent-length (mid-thigh) shorts, a short-sleeved or sleeveless shirt/tank (not too tight), and bring a light sweater and scarf with my in my backpack for entering the mosques. Maybe I'll bring a sarong, too, to cover my legs. I'll have socks on with my sneakers for the mosques. (to Poss - I don't think you should feel embarassed by wearing sneakers at all! As long as theyre not dirty and falling apart they'll look fine! I don't know what else you would wear for 10 hours of walking around! And from what I've read I definitely don't think you should cut your stay in Istanbul!)

I will report back when I return!

Thanks everyone!

Don't worry about your shoes--there will be plastic bags to put them into or a place to put them at a smaller mosque. (And since you have limited time, may I suggest you seek out a smaller mosque rather than the Blue Mosque where there will be large crowds).
Every one else is barefoot and there are carpets (and it is clean because of the whole no shoes thing of course), so no need to worry about socks.
Carrying a wrap for your legs would be a pain imo, I am generally just as cool in pants or a long skirt as shorts. The "look" for teens when I was there in May was long skirts and converse high tops, so there ya go!

I carried a large scarf for my head, but I also wore a light hoodie and at times just put that up--it's totally fine (for example during an unexpected stop at a remote mosque).
I saw people not covering their head, and I don't think it is polite. It's understandable to ask about being proper--it shows you want to be respectful. But don't sweat it--the Turkish are very friendly, even if correcting you :)
You'll have an amazing 10 hours, enjoy!

<<I don't enjoy constantly worrying about what I'm wearing (or not wearing). E.g. on the "sneaker" question. I have plantar fasciitis-- terrible heel pain-- and I can wear only stiff "sneakers" with orthotic inserts.>>

Don't worry about your shoes, wear what you have to to be comfortable for a lot of walking. I doubt very much that anyone will care about your shoes and you'll see plenty of other sneaker type walking shoes. they are worn everywhere!

Maybe you can get some of the hospital disposable style covers to go over your shoes in the mosques. I've seen some in airports to cover your feet after putting your shoes on the security table.

Go and enjoy your three day visit.

"times are changing and as the city is becoming more Westernized other "more revealing" clothing for women (ie, shorts vs pants) is more accepted in Istanbul than it was in the past."

Actually, the change is going the other way. Ataturk established a secular republic, but Islamic parties have been making inroads recently. Have you followed the controversy over headscarves for women college students? Also, there has been a big move of people from the countryside to the city, and the countryside was always less secular - hence the burkhas in Istanbul.

Turkish women do NOT wear burkas. It is not a part of their traditional dress.

There is a HUGE difference between a headscarf and a burka.

Those women you see in burkas in Istanbul are Arab tourists.

Thin

Wear as you like. Top tanks can be a bit to much as it is a big city not a resort.
Respecting dress code is same as you would at Church or Synagogs.

If you need there will be scarfs provided to cover head not to hide under..... Normal shorts, capris, t-shirts, blouses, shirts are all fine. Do not make yourselves crazy with dress code. You will be welcomed if you dress like you do at home. Having said that hope you do not wear and walk around with bikinis as some does in Antalya :-)

Have fun and enjoy.

Murat

Thanks, Murat! Turkey is Cok Guzel!

Just one more thought about head scarfs. In April, our Turkish conference hosts told us that the scarfs provided at some mosques are washed only overnight, and not if reused during the day. The suggested that my wife bring her own scarf rather than take the chance of reusing one.

I do not understand why anyone would wear shorts while traveling in Europe or Asia, especially in a Muslim country, even if it has a secular government. I can't believe that shorts are any cooler than light cotton pants, and they're probably not as cool as a skirt.

It's a matter of propriety.

Ooops,
This dress code thing seems making everyone busy.....

Thanks Ekscrunchy; great and appropriate way of using the language:-)

Jeff, let your wife to have the joy of buying the scarf in Turkey and contribute to the local economy, less weight on luggage on your way to Turkey.......

Pegontheroad: There is nothing wrong with wearing shorts in a muslim country. Well I can speak about Turkey; I wear shorts in my daily life even in Cappadocia. I do wear pair of pants in the evening and try not to go to the restaurants with it out of respect.

If you live in Antalya for example; you need to wear the short. 42 c.c and humidity does not allow any other. So shorts for me has nothing to do with religion and should not be! In our custom, we are not feeling comfortable wearing shorts in cities like Istanbul and Ankara in day to day life (well people still wears it and thats fine), eastern parts where tourism is not way of life and some areas might be more conservative etc.

Turkey is a secular democratic country. It is not an Islamic country. Our religion is Islam. Big difference.......

When I talk about shorts, I exclude hot pants though....

Happy travelling,

Murat

I can't believe that shorts are any cooler than light cotton pants, and they're probably not as cool as a skirt.

Yes, and they stick to seats.
They also suit very few people apart from the very young and slim.
To misquote slightly:

Sure clothe your lower limbs in shorts
Yours are the limbs my sweeting
You look divine as you advance
But have you seen yourself retreating?

I took a Med cruise last August and saw lots of female tourists in shorts and capris in the port cities but the ones that looked the best -- and coolest -- were wearing knee length, or longer, loose (tiered) cotton skirts in bright colors or prints. And walking sandals.

I wore cotton capris and wished I'd brought a skirt. I bought one when I got home and it's going to Turkey with me. It's a longish, broomstick skirt that's twisted and tied so wrinkles are not problem.

In Istanbul, I was popping in and out of mosques all day--they are gorgeous. (Don't miss the New Mosque down by the Bosphorus, and the mosque by the entrance to the Grand Bazzar.) So it was wise to wear a comfortable skirt that hit below my knees, a shirt with sleeves (mine were short sleeves), and carry a scarf with you to put on your head. Heck, this is my basic travel wardrobe for most any foreign city. Shorts and a tank top? Maybe for coastal towns, but not for city sightseeing. You'll be treated much better if you are respectful in your appearance. I wear walking sandals, but sneakers with a skirt is not at all unusual.

I had a plastic bag to put our shoes in so we wouldn't have to retrieve them from the pile at the door. We just carried the shoes in the bag and put them back on when we got outside.

I hope people are wearing socks after they take off their shoes...yuck!

"I hope people are wearing socks after they take off their shoes...yuck!" Not at all. I thought the carpets in Turkish mosques were fine. Yuck is the Kali temple in Kolkata while they're sacrificing goats.... and bare feet are better than socks for that - you can wash them off under a stand pipe when you leave.

primobacio14204; only if the socks are clean or the feet is washed well. So both can be extremely overwhelming or both can be fine....