Proper clothing for females visiting Turkey?
May 11th, 2009, 04:56 AM
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We visited two years ago. In Istanbul, my daughter and I wore capris or skirts or light summer dresses ( yes, sleeveless- it was almost 100 degrees!). NO shorts, NO minis, no revealing clothing. We also brought long summer scarves with us, which we draped over our shoulders when visiting mosques. There are attendants outside the mosques who will give you scarves to wear inside if you don't have any with you.
In the resort towns and for a visit to Ephesus where it was well over 100 degrees (!), we did wear our usual hot weather clothes- shorts and tank tops.
In the resort towns and for a visit to Ephesus where it was well over 100 degrees (!), we did wear our usual hot weather clothes- shorts and tank tops.
May 11th, 2009, 05:19 AM
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Turkey is a fascinating mix of modern and traditional. Did you know that women in Turkey got the right over a decade before women got the right to vote in France?
It depends on where you are and what you're doing. Large sections of the European side of Istanbul will feel like any European Mediterranean city - you'll see trendy fashions (good shopping! - Go to the mall Kanyon and the one nearby - MetroCity I think), sleeveless tops, knee length and even mini skirts and skyscraper heels. Likewise, in the resort towns you'll see a wide range of dress, including what you'd expect to see in a European Mediterranean resort town.
In other areas of Turkey, somewhat more modest clothing is likely appropriate: capris instead of shorts, short or 3/4 sleeve shirts, etc. Low vneck tshirts and tank tops probably are inappropriate.
Also, as others have noted, when visiting mosques, be prepared to cover bare arms and shoulders with a shawl.
One other piece of clothing advice - wear sensible shoes? I don't know how Turkish women manage to move so surefootedly in skyscraper heels on uneven and even broken pavement in cities like Istanbul and Ankara, but I nearly wiped out several times in my loafers. Take care and have fun!
It depends on where you are and what you're doing. Large sections of the European side of Istanbul will feel like any European Mediterranean city - you'll see trendy fashions (good shopping! - Go to the mall Kanyon and the one nearby - MetroCity I think), sleeveless tops, knee length and even mini skirts and skyscraper heels. Likewise, in the resort towns you'll see a wide range of dress, including what you'd expect to see in a European Mediterranean resort town.
In other areas of Turkey, somewhat more modest clothing is likely appropriate: capris instead of shorts, short or 3/4 sleeve shirts, etc. Low vneck tshirts and tank tops probably are inappropriate.
Also, as others have noted, when visiting mosques, be prepared to cover bare arms and shoulders with a shawl.
One other piece of clothing advice - wear sensible shoes? I don't know how Turkish women manage to move so surefootedly in skyscraper heels on uneven and even broken pavement in cities like Istanbul and Ankara, but I nearly wiped out several times in my loafers. Take care and have fun!
