What to Wear in Turkey Visit
Turkey is a secular country with the ninety-nine percent population of Muslims. There are lots of ethnic and religious groups in Turkey, so almost everyone is get used to respect each other's way of living. Of course there is a minority who may be counted as very conservative. But as it is said, it is a minority.
Because of the image of most Muslim countries, potential visitors to Turkey sometimes come with questions about what to wear in Turkey and the acceptable dress code before packing their bags. There is no certain dress code or prohibition. Everyone is free to wear what they want to.
Visitors just should know to wear according to cultural vibe of Turkey. Culture in Turkey differs from region to region and some areas are known to be very conservative.
What to Wear in Big Cities Like Istanbul
Big cities are more liberal than the rest of Turkey and there's nothing you need to watch out for. Turks usually prefer casual and comfortable clothes on the street unless there's a special occasion. If you visit on winter, pick tight jackets or trousers since the weather is cold. During spring and fall, the weather is mostly warm (especially if there is sun) but the nights are colder. So it is better to at least have a jacket with you.
Summer days are usually hot and get hotter every year. So it is not recommended for both men and women to wear jeans during the daytime. It is better to wear light or fabric pants that you can feel way more comfortable in. Also having a hat would be a good choice.
Men can wear sandals and shorts, women can wear shirts and shorts, there is no problem with it.
However, in religious monuments, there's one important thing:
Wearing shorts above from their knees isn't encouraged for men, also they should wear a t-shirt or something to cover their shoulders while visiting a religious monument and women's hair should be completely covered with a scarf. Women should wear long sleeves and long leg skirt or trousers. So it's always better to have clothes to cover up if you're going to visit mosques or tombs.
Southern Coast
In the coastal regions such as the Mediterranean and the Aegean, there's almost nothing to observe, as these are the places where people spend their summer vacations, as in all other European countries. On the beach, swimwear is common and it's normal for women to wear bikinis. The only thing you should avoid is going to stores or restaurants with beachwear. It isn't always welcomed.
What to Wear in Turkey: Anatolian and Eastern Part
As you get further away from the coast and travel east, Turkey becomes more conservative and the influence of Islam becomes stronger. We may also consider the Black Sea region as way more conservative, the same as Eastern Turkey when it's compared to big cities or Aegean and Western parts of the country.
The difference in street wear between the west becomes obvious and in these areas respecting society's traditions is the main key.
It is better not to wear too short outfits for both men and women.
The dress code regarding the cultural diversities may vary but also you should watch the differences between the climates of the destinations to be visited. Turkey is immense and the weather is not always predictable. So, does not matter which season, always have different kind and layer of clothing to cope with changing weather conditions.
Other Topics You May Be Interested In
What is The Turkish Hat?
How to Visit Mosques in Istanbul and Turkey?
What is Henna? Henna in Istanbul
Istanbul Layover Activities and Tours