LOTUS EATERS TRAVEL

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WHAT TO WEAR IN TURKEY AS A WOMAN AND WHAT TO WEAR IN DIFFERENT SEASONS.

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Before my recent trip to Turkey, I spent a lot of time wondering what to wear — and what to pack. After travelling around the country in 2023, I’ve pulled together everything I learned about what women can comfortably wear in different regions of Turkey, as well as how your wardrobe might need to change with the seasons.

Read on for practical tips, outfit inspiration, and what I wish I’d known before I went.

Don’t have time to read the full article?

What to wear in Turkey as a woman

Before diving into outfit ideas, it helps to understand a little about Turkey itself. Straddling both Southeast Europe and West Asia, Turkey is often described as the place where East meets West — and that’s true in almost every sense. It’s a vast, diverse country, both geographically and culturally, with around 99% of citizens identifying as Muslim.

When it comes to deciding what to wear in Turkey as a woman, there are a few things worth considering:

• The season and climate – Summers can be scorching, while winters are cool, especially inland. (More on this below.)
• Where you’re visiting – Istanbul and the Aegean Coast are relatively liberal, though Istanbul tends to lean a little more conservative than the beach resorts. The East and South East, on the other hand, are far more traditional.
• Your comfort and confidence levels – You don’t have to dress conservatively, but showing more skin can sometimes attract unwanted attention, especially in cities.
• Practicality – I always travel with a capsule wardrobe: pieces that mix and match easily, don’t crease, and make me feel good.

Below, I’ve shared what I learned from travelling around Turkey — including what to wear in different seasons and regions, plus what I actually packed for my trip.

Do you have to wear a headscarf in Istanbul?

This is one of the most common questions for women visiting Turkey — and the answer is no, you don’t need to wear a headscarf while walking around Istanbul.

The exception is when visiting mosques, such as the Hagia Sophia or the Blue Mosque. You’ll need to cover your head inside, and you can’t always borrow scarves at the entrance, so it’s worth packing a lightweight shawl that can double up as a head covering when needed.

Can you show cleavage in Turkey?

Honestly, this was something I wondered myself before my trip. I’m used to wearing whatever I like in most countries, but in Turkey, showing cleavage can feel uncomfortable — and it’s likely to draw attention.

The exception is in beach resorts during summer, where dress codes are much more relaxed. On the beach, pretty much anything goes.

Can you wear shorts in Turkey?

Personally, I avoided wearing shorts in cities like Istanbul, but I happily wore them while hiking and at the beach. In my experience, unwanted attention was more common in urban areas, while coastal towns felt much more relaxed about women’s clothing.

Can you wear spaghetti straps in Turkey?

Again, it’s a personal choice. I’d avoid spaghetti straps in cities or more conservative areas, where it can make you stand out. On the other hand, in Antalya and along the coast, no one will bat an eye.

What to wear in Turkey on the South West coast

The coastal towns and cities in south-west Turkey tend to be much more liberal than the inland or eastern regions. When we visited Antalya, I noticed plenty of women heading out on a Saturday night in the old town wearing little black dresses — so yes, you can definitely dress up here if you want to.

During the day, though, the vibe is a little more relaxed. Personally, I felt most comfortable in knee-length dresses or loose, sleeveless jumpsuits, while avoiding anything too low-cut or strappy. It just felt easier to blend in and stay cool in the heat.

Here are a few outfit ideas similar to what I wore on the coast in Turkey:

By Day:

By Night:

👗Quick tip – if you plan to visit East or South East Turkey, note that it is far more conservative than the South West coast. Opt for long dresses, sleeves and loose fitting trousers.

What to wear in Turkey on the beach

The beach scene in Turkey feels like a world apart from everywhere else in the country. Once you hit the sand, pretty much anything goes when it comes to swimwear — we saw plenty of bikinis, and even the occasional thong.

Personally, I preferred wearing a one-piece swimsuit (the green one below). It just felt a bit more comfortable and appropriate, especially when visiting quieter or more remote beaches.

If you’re staying in a resort town like Bodrum, Antalya, or Fethiye, you’ll find that a two-piece bikini is completely fine — the vibe is relaxed, and tourists tend to wear whatever they’d wear at home.

👙Quick tip – whilst the beaches in Turkey are liberal, sunbathing topless is not acceptable here.

Just remember, what happens on the beach stays on the beach. Be sure to cover up a bit once you leave. Chilling in a bikini in a beach bar is fine, but I’d suggest throwing on a cover up elsewhere.

Here are a few ideas for cover ups you can wear to and from the beach:

What to wear in Istanbul

Istanbul is a cosmopolitan city. You can find all the main high street stores like Zara and H&M that you would find anywhere in Europe. Some women do cover up, and others choose not to as much. It really depends on your choice.

I found that I got more unwanted attention in Istanbul than when I traveled on the coast in Turkey and subsequently I do think it’s wise for women to dress a bit modestly. Personally, on a recent visit to Istanbul I chose to keep my wardrobe reasonably modest.

Istanbul, as a large and buzzing city, also has a fairly smart dress code. Especially in the evening most people opt for fairly chic outfits in roof top bars and restaurants. I chose pieces that felt smart but comfortable and were easy to stash in my backpack.

Here are few ideas for what to wear in Istanbul.

By day:

🕌If you’re planning to visit Mosques in Istanbul, do take note of the advice about Mosques below. You will need to observe a stricter dress code than in the rest of the city.

By night:

🩰 When it comes to footwear in Istanbul, flats are best. There are a few steep roads and slippery surfaces. Unless you’re heading “out out” in a cab, I would avoid heels.

What to wear in Turkey to visit a Mosque

If you are planning to visit a Mosque in Turkey, whether in Istanbul or on the coast in a city like Antalya, you must observe the dress code.

To visit a Mosque in Turkey a woman must have her hair, shoulders, upper arms and thighs covered up.

If you know you’re planning to visit a Mosque, it’s a good idea to opt for a long flowy dress with sleeves, a loose fitting jumpsuit or trousers.

Here are some ideas:

I also love packing a white shirt when travelling, it can go over any outfit easily to create an instantly modest look. Linen is a great fabric choice, or chiffon also works well for a smarter look.

Here are two options:

Remember to pack a shawl to use as a head scarf too. In some Mosques, a scarf will be provided. But, in Hagia Sophia in Istanbul they are not. Although there is a kiosk selling scarves and shawls, it is quite expensive and the quality is not good. Personally, I’d prefer to take my own.

Something like this works well:

What to wear in Turkey in June, July and August

Most of Turkey gets hot during the summer. Sometimes it can be up to 40 degrees centigrade on the South Coast.

Most beach resorts along the coast, such as the Antalya and Bodrum regions are very liberal. Short dresses around town are acceptable day and night. As are swimsuits on the beach. But we suggest leaving very short shorts and strappy/ low cut tops at home.

What to wear in Turkey in September, October and November

September to November is autumn in Turkey, but it is not yet cool in most parts. Along the South Coast and even in Istanbul to the North September and October are mid to high twenties (centigrade). November starts to cool and you will want layers for the evening – a shirt in September, perhaps a warmer layer in October and a light jacket in the evening.

What to wear in Turkey in December, January and February

December, January and February are winter in Turkey. A jacket will be needed, even on the south coast. We suggest jeans, light jumpers and jackets as your “go to” outfit. A raincoat and waterproof can be useful too as it rains a lot in winter.

What to wear in Turkey in March, April and May

March, April and May are spring in Turkey. Days are getting warmer but evenings remain cool. There can be a little rain too. Think colourful dresses and lightweight jackets, perhaps paired with trainers. It’s wise to pack a rain coat too. Remember, Istanbul tends to be cooler than the South Coast, so you may need a few warm layers in early spring in Istanbul.

Where to next in Turkey

Find our guides to travelling in Turkey below.

• 48 hours in Istanbul
• Best things to do in Antalya
• 13 best things to do in Kas
• Hiking the Lycian Way in Turkey

Written by Emma

Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.

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