Suitable clothing for girls in Turkey
 

My 20 year old daughter and I will be in Istanbul in September and I'd like some suggestions on suitable clothing for my daughter to wear. She's used to wearing shorts and T-shirts but I'm sure these won't be appropriate in a Muslim country. Love some suggestions for day and night wear to pass on to her. More so what not to wear. Thank you, Marea and Elyse

Well, Turkey is a secular country with a majority Muslim population which is a little different.

Generally Istanbul has seen everything, to be sensible wearing shorts is not sensible and she needs at least her knees covered. T shirts baggy. Going into a Mosque (or indeed a church) I'd cover up arms to the elbow, trousers to cover ankle and, of course, a scarf or hat for the hair.

My daughter wore mostly light dresses- not too short!- and capris when we visited Istanbul. And she took along sweaters and shawls for visits to mosques.

Just wanted to add that at one mosque we were given material to wrap around our legs, since our knees weren't covered. And yes, definitely bring along a scarf or hat for your hair.

It's not just Turkey. Traveling in Italy in shorts can be an issue since many churches discourage shorts on adults - and the Vatican bans any clothing that doesn't hit the knee.

Your daughter is a woman, not a girl.

I never saw any women in shorts, even in the south where it was hot. If you are in Istanbul toward the end of September it may be too cool for shorts, regardless of proper dress code.

In addition to the above advice, I would wear socks so when you remove your shoes in mosques you are not barefoot on cold tile floors.

You can wear the same thing at night that you wear in the day but add a jacket or sweater.

I just asked our 21 year old daughter who went to school last year in Turkey. She said in Istanbul you will see a million tourists wearing absolutely everything. She avoided shorts and tank tops not due to local sensitivities but rather because they mark you as a tourist. T-shirts are fine.

Istanbul has a lot more covered women than the first time I went, but you can pretty much wear what you want on the streets. What you wear to a mosque is a different matter, just as with the churches in Italy.

We found that while it wasn't always necessary to cover up in the streets, we found that locals appreciated it and did not always like people in skimpy clothing.

"did not always like people in skimpy clothing"

I think that depends on which locals you're talking about. I think there is a difference in attitude between the more secular, urban Turks, and the more religious, rural people who have moved to Istanbul in great numbers over the last couple of decades.

You also have to realise that many covered women you see in Istanbul are Muslim tourists.

Turkish women do not wear the burka; it is not their custom.

I would not wear skimpy clothing in Istanbul for two reasons:

1. You will receive the unwanted attention of young men.

2. Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city and you will look like a bumpkin next to the chic women of Nisantasi who shop at Louis Vuitton and have cocktails with members of the Koc family at the Ciragan Palace.

Thin

Thank you for your detailed replies. They have all been helpful and support my thoughts. I will pass this information on.