Hello -
Have been told that it is not in good taste to wear shorts while walking around in Oaxaca. Is this the case? If it is, does it apply to both men and women? What is the usual tourist causal dress? Thanks! We're leaving Saturday and need to know what to pack.

Shorts are not generally worn outside of the beach areas of Mexico, so if you mean Oaxaca City, yes, shorts would not be typical, except maybe on outings to the ruins (Monte Alban) or the craft villages. Summer skirts or capris and long pants for men are fine.

I think shorts are fine during the day in Oaxaca. I had no problems. Sure, Oaxacan men wear trousers all the time, and hats. But I didn't wear a hat every day, either.

Trousers at night and for churches, though.

Please refer to the Europe section for endlessly funny and unresolvable debates on clothing.

Oaxaca City has become so touristed anything is fine in Oaxaca City itself. I like to wear long pants in churches to be respectful, but many don't. Outside of town, I mostly wear jeans or some light pants.