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Before my solo trip to Turkey, this issue had been troubling me. I had the impression that Islamic women wear headscarves and long-sleeved clothing covering their entire bodies. Checking the weather, August is the hottest month in Turkey, with temperatures in southeastern cities reaching up to 40°C. I had never been to such a hot place before—wouldn’t I die of heat if I covered myself up entirely? Among the 7 kg of luggage I was allowed, what clothes to bring became my biggest pre-trip concern.
After browsing some online resources about Turkish fashion, some sources indicated that women must wear a headscarf and cover their shoulders when entering a mosque, as well as wear long pants or long skirts, with skirt length preferably below the knees. For daily life, it depends on the city—customs vary from place to place, and so does clothing.
In western cities likeIstanbul and Izmir, which are more modernized, women tend to dress more fashionably and casually.However,in the eastern and southeastern regions where customs are more conservative, women generally wear long pants and rarely wear shorts or short skirts.
I asked a friend living in Istanbul for his opinion, and he actually told me to just bring my shortest shorts and skirts. I was a bit incredulous. Since this trip would take me across various cities in Turkey, and given the limited luggage weight, I ultimately decided to bring two pairs of long pants, two pairs of shorts, and the rest were short-sleeved tops plus a pair of UV-protection sleeves. That way, if I wasn’t allowed to show my arms, I could wear the sleeves—they’d cover my skin and protect against sunburn, killing two birds with one stone.
Once in Turkey, I found that women’s clothing wasn’t very strict, and dressing was relatively free.In Istanbul, some local women wore colorful headscarves with jeans or casual outfits; some young people dressed more revealingly, with short skirts and shorts being quite common. Overall, Turkish fashion didn’t differ much from European styles.
When I arrived in Izmir, Turkey, I noticed the highest number of women I’d seen throughout my entire trip. Maybe it was because it’s a coastal city—women’s clothing was even more casual, with tank tops, shorts, and sandals everywhere. You’d almost think you were at a beach resort.
As for Cappadocia, it was full of tourists, and clothing styles were incredibly diverse. Antalya, located by the Mediterranean, also saw women dressing with less fabric. In these places, basically wearing summer clothes like you would in Asian cities wasn’t a problem.
Summer clothes bought at the DeFacto clothing store in Istanbul.
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However, when I went to Van in the east, and Mardin and Şanlıurfa in the southeast, I noticed the local Turkish dress style was much more conservative. Most women covered their entire bodies, only exposing their faces. Some young women wore short-sleeved tops, but I never saw anyone in shorts or short skirts. Some women even wore full black veils, with only their eyes visible. So, in these cities, I was especially mindful of my clothing to avoid drawing unwanted attention.
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I remember after taking a shower at my host’s home in Van, I changed into my shorts and sat on the living room couch chatting. I thought wearing shorts just for sleeping shouldn’t be an issue, but as soon as the host saw me in shorts, she immediately said, “Quick, change into long pants before the men come in!” I replied, “Sorry, both my long pants are in the wash—I don’t have any.” Her sister-in-law quickly grabbed a pair of long pants from her room, and I put them on right away.
At that moment, I could feel their strong reaction to exposed thighs, and I didn’t dare take it lightly.To them, showing legs was seen as a temptation to men, hence somewhat taboo.
Throughout my entire solo trip in Turkey, I wore long pants whenever I was out. Even in the scorching heat, with my thighs sweating profusely, I stuck with it—it was a personal first.In unfamiliar places, whether the area is conservative or open, perhaps wearing long pants is the safest choice.
I met a girl from Guangzhou in Cappadocia who suddenly said to me as if she’d discovered something new: “Now I know why your feet are still so white after all these days—you’ve been wearing long pants!” I realized her observation made sense; my hands and face were tanned, but my feet were still fair. So maybe the reason Turkish women cover up isn’t just for religious reasons—it could also be for sun protection.
What exactly is the “Turkish dress code” for women when traveling solo in Turkey? It seems there’s no set rule. But travel is about adapting to local customs. No harm done if you don’t know—and as long as you observe how others dress and judge for yourself what’s appropriate, that’s good enough.
The host in Van once said: “Clothing is a personal choice. I dress this way because I choose to. Others can dress differently—just wear whatever makes you comfortable.” Indeed, the country doesn’t impose dress regulations, but if certain ceremonies or cultural events have specific attire requirements, it’s best to pay attention.
When traveling solo in Turkey, what you wear isn’t the main point—the meanings behind different Turkish styles might be more worth exploring. If you have any opinions, feel free to leave a comment and share.
This article is authorized content provided by Tripbaa’s resident blogger “Yi Yuan Qu Na Er.” Original title: “Discussion Topic: What Should Women Wear When Visiting Turkey?” Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.
[Tripbaa Fun Bar!] Authorized Repost | Original Title: [Turkey Solo Travel Q&A: What Should Women Wear When Visiting Turkey?]
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