If you’re coming to Thailand, chances are the number one thing you’re wondering about is what clothes to pack. Sure, you want to stay comfortable in Thailand’s hot and humid climate, but it’s also a country whose people (aside from its infamous bar girls and ladyboys) dress quite modestly. Is it possible to stay cool and comfortable while following the “rules”? Absolutely. Ladies and gentlemen, we bring to you the dos and don’ts of what to wear in Thailand.
We’ve briefly addressed what to wear in Thailand in our Tips for Visiting Thailand for the First Time post, but since it’s such a hot topic and Thailand’s high season is in full swing now, we were inspired to dedicate an entire post to it.
Let’s be honest: Thailand usually turns a blind eye to foreigners’ clothing choices, so on the surface there seems to be no clear-cut rules on how to dress.
However, there are definitely clothing trends that are acceptable and others that just won’t do, and that is something we’ve deduced simply by observing what the locals wear. Plus, we can confidently say that your appearance has an effect on how you’re treated in Thailand, so choosing to dress tastefully and appropriately goes a long way.
What to Wear: Everyday Outfits
DO: Short skirts and shorts are ok to wear. Be sure to wear comfortable flat shoes and shirts that cover your shoulders.
Thailand is hot, sunny, and humid! You’ll sweat no matter what you wear.Butbefore you go tossing in any ol’ sleeveless or see-through shirt and those booty shorts in your suitcase,hereare some tasteful suggestions.
Do bring hot weather clothing
Guys, the best thing to wear in Thailand arepolo shirts, button-down collared shirts, and golf or Bermuda shorts. Even good quality t-shirts and cargo shorts will do. Packing a pair of semi-casual pants will come in handy for an eveningout.
Ladies, definitely pack skirts, shorts, summer dresses, and tasteful tops. These can be either flowing or fitted but should be of goodquality. Shirts should cover your shoulders (to the edges) and have a semi-high collar line. We don’t mean turtlenecks, but your cleavage shouldn’t be showing. Sheer or lacy fabric is a good way to stay cool, but be sure towear a camisole or slip underneath.
We recommend moisture-wicking polos and shortsfor guys. For ladies, this Bohemian dress is a favorite. It doubles as an evening outfit with leggings or a bathing suit cover on the beach.
Don’t wear revealing clothing
DON’T: Although short skirts and shorts are totally acceptable to wear, you shouldn’t be able to see your butt cheeks!
For men, don’twear sleeveless muscleshirts or singlets (especially ones that show your man nipples) or walk around with yourshirts unbuttoned.
Ladies, don’t wear tank tops andavoid spaghetti strap shirts completelyunless you are wearing a cardigan or shawl draped over your shoulders. Leave thedangerously short (high?) Daisy Duke shorts at home, too.
And pleeeaaase, pleeeeasedon’t showyour cleavage. We can’t stress this enough.
Footwear
You may find yourself walking a lot before you get comfortable using the local transportation. The more comfortable and easier to wear shoes you have, the better.
Do wear comfortable, preferably water-resistantshoes
Comfortable shoes are a must. Since it rains often in Thailand, anything made of rubber or a plastic composite is a great choice. Flip flops are totally acceptable but flat, slipper-like shoes are much more convenient. The latter protects your feet from street grime and there are no laces to wrestle with when taking off your shoes.
Always take your shoes offbefore entering someone’s house or a temple.If you will see piles of shoes outside of an entranceway, that’s a dead giveaway to remove yours, too.
We don’t like admitting it, but we love crocs. Super comfy, blister free, easy-to-clean, waterproofcrocs. Guys, check out their loafer style boat shoes. Gals, take a look at these ballet flats.
Don’twalk around barefootand pass on the high heels and boots
DON’T:Wearing a spaghetti strap shirtand/orgoing barefoot are not appropriate choices
Ladies, although you look cute in your highheels,you maysimultaneously break an ankle and knock out a few front teeth as you faceplant on Thailand’s generally sad excuse for sidewalks.If you absolutely mustwear heels, go with low wedges or espadrilles to give you a bit more surface area to balance on.
It’s best not to use hiking or combat boot and socks for everyday shoes. Your feet will cook to death and could possibly develop a mad case of athlete’s foot.
Lastly,do not walk around barefoot. Some free-spirited individuals like to connect with Mother Earth and in some countries it’s ok (maybe? which ones, we don’t know), but not in Thailand. Bringing city grime that’s been collecting on the soles of your feet into a Thai home or businessis offensive.
At the Beach
Thailand is famous for its gorgeous beaches, but make sure to cover upappropriately as soon as you’re off the beach!
Dowear bathing suitson the beach and cover-ups in town
Although Thais are often fully clothed at the beach, it’salright for foreignguys to wear only swim shorts and for ladies to wear two-piece bathing suits. Just makes sure this is at the beach and not while you’re walking down Main Street.
When you step off the sand and start to venture into town, grab a beach cover-up. Ladies, this means wearinga sarong or wrap that covers your chest and midriff and guys should grab a t-shirt (nothing sleeveless) to wear overyour swim trunks.
There are tons of shops in Thailand’s beach towns selling airy cover-ups and wraps. They’ll also have lots of sunglasses and big floppy sun hats to protect you from the sun when you need them.
Sarongs are perfect for covering up your bathing suit, drying off, protecting your skin from the sun, and stretching out on the sand. These elephant sarongs are a great fit for Thailand’s beaches.
Don’twalk around town in bathing suits or go topless
A quick glance around and you will never see a Thai person walking down the street or riding a motorbike in a bathing suit. Nor will they ride around barefoot. Wearing a bathing suit into town without a cover-up is a big no-no and makes Thais (and conscientious expats) uncomfortable. This especially holds true in non-beach townssuch asBangkok and Chiang Mai!
The only area in Thailand we would say to be more conscious aboutyour choice in bathing suitis in the deep south where Thailand neighbors Malaysia. This region is populated by conservatively dressed Muslim communities and its considereddisrespectful to walk around with your booty jiggling in a thong bikini or your package, eh hem, on display in a Speedo. There you will see Thais, both men and women, wearing what looks like a wetsuit.
Also, it is completely unacceptable tosunbathe topless in Thailand.
Temples
DO: Longer sleeved shirts and pants or skirts past the knees are perfect clothing for visiting Thai temples.
If there is one place where both men and women must dress appropriately, this is it. Otherwise, you risk offending the locals in their place of worship.
Docover up your shoulders and knees
Men are expected to wear conservative collared shirts and shorts that come to the knee, although pants are preferred. T-shirts are ok, but a dressier shirt, whether short-sleeved or long-sleeved, is preferred.
Women must cover their cleavage and shoulders and wear pants or skirts that are at least knee-length. One of the best pieces of clothing you can pack is a shawl becauseyou can wrap it around your waist or drape it across your shoulders and chest if you are visiting a temple.
Chances are you’ll see a monk at a temple. Monks are highly respected, so keep your head below a monk as you pass by them (duck a little if you’re tall) and do not touch them (especiallywomen).
Don’tdress immodestly
Men shouldn’t go to a temple in a sleeveless shirt or a shirt that’s been left unbuttoned and revealing their chest or belly. Don’t walk in with really short shorts, either.
Women will not be allowed to go into a temple if their shoulders, thighs, or cleavage is showing.
Most of the popular temples provided visitors with free wraps just in case you’ve not covered up enough.
