What should I wear as a women traveling to Istanbul, Turkey?

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NAMIK KEMAL

dress like Neil Armstrong landing on the Moon
Geeez...

Ipek K

I have no idea what " lovely" is talking about but the crowd doesn't go around like that.

There are some covered ladies but the majority is jeans , sandals (or sport shoes) and basic short sleeve t-shirts. Normal - knee length- skirts and shirts are daily wear too. You definitely don't have to cover up your hair.

If I were you, I wouldn't stuff my suitcase with a lot of clothing. Istanbul is the place for shopping for all kinds of clothes- from funky, latest fashion European to Oriental :)

I would suggest you not to wear short shorts or revealing tank tops just to be more comfortable and to fit in. Bermuda length shorts are OK.

Salva

Hi! I visited Istanbul on February 2007 with two female friends. We're from Spain and there they wore the same clothes as in Spain and they had no problems. It seems that in Istanbul no one pay attention to your clothes unless you wear like a gogo dancer lol.
Even in most Mosques they hadn't to cover their hair!!! (altough I think it's a disrespect not to cover the hair in a mosque, since it's a tradition).
Only more conservative muslim women wear headscarves, and I think it's not expected that a non-muslim woman wears it. Some turkish girls wear following the Western styles, and some mix both cultures (modern and traditional) (ie, wearing tight jeans, but headscarf too), I think (this last thing) it's called "islam chic", at least it's what I've heard on a TV program in Canal 6 Spain (you can watch it in youtube). It's very curious!!

This is a picture of young turkish girls in Istanbul, they're so beautiful!! http://www.samizdata.net/blog/~pdeh/istanbul_08_babes.jpg

In short, if you're not muslim you don't have to wear headscarf. You can wear as you usually do, without arousing. In Istanbul the morals about "how to wear" is almost the same that in everywhere in Europe or America, I think.

AND please don't pay attention to Zarzoorner.. I've been in Istanbul, I know what I'm saying.

hawaiian_shorts91

Darling, you can wear whatever you want in Turkey. It's not Saudi Arabia or anything. I always see at least some Turkish girls wearing skimpy clothing whenever I go to Istanbul. Istanbul is really as European as you can get in Turkey. Truly an amazing place! You only really have to dress up when you enter a mosque or a church (which I'm sure you will, otherwise you will not have truly been to Istanbul).

Here are some really good and highly useful videos about Istanbul which I would highly recommend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoA5996YBt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBJ0RwPnoYM

preemie mom

maybe this would help:
wear anything from Britney Spears type to covering it all up!
now THAT's freedom my friend!
and even better:
NOONE's gonna look at you because of what you wear

ipek

Wear whatever you want and dont forget your bikini.Mine is ready, I am going in june.Have a nice vacation.

Qu'est ce que tu pense?

Wear whatever you prefer, but just make sure to dress appropriately for the family. Especially if the family is very strict. I know in my Turkish family, my very old grandfather hates me wearing mini-skirts.

gugu

Try these links:

http://istanbulstreetstyle.blogspot.com
http://www.elle.com/streetchic/9955/street-chic-istanbul.html

You can wear anything you like. There are all sorts of people wearing all sorts of things.

Totally Blunt

Istanbul is such a cosmopolitan city. Shorts maybe acceptable in one neighborhood, they may be frowned upon in another. I suggest you use my guidelines. No mini shorts (bermuda length is OK) and super mini skirts (knee high is OK). No tank tops (short sleeves are OK).

In this way, you will be fine everywhere.

And a little note. Mosques AND churches ask you to wear sleeve shirts upon entering. They don't want to see minis and tanks tops inside their temples.

anlarm

You need to be very careful. Turkish ladies, especially young ones in Istanbul dress very fashionably. You will witness it when you go there, both in the streets and in shop windows. Istanbul is fast becoming a major fashion center.

Matt

If you are staying in Istanbul feel free to wear whatever you want.... if you are also planning to go to Izmir, Ankara, Bursa, the southern coast or another large city, you can also wear whatever you want. Dress the same as if you were planning a trip to Europe, and pack based on the weather during the season. Remember that Turkey is a fashionable place... so if you dress too casually you might feel awkward walking around a crowd full of hipsters. (Assuming you are in the cafe, shopping, and/or nightlife districts)

If you are going to be in a small village in a remote part of Turkey you may want suggetions from a relative... as every village has its own criteria and norms.

Another friendly suggestions is that if you are blonde and beautiful, you will definitely catch attention from men. For the most part, they will only look and leave you alone. But, if you are uncomfortable with people starring all the time you might want to dress a little more conservatively.

However, in any case, traditional "Muslim" attire (long skirts, head coverings, etc.) are not necessary at all in Turkey.

If you like nighlife be sure to bring lots of clothes for the clubs. Istanbul has a great nightlife scene. Also, it's in the culture to spend a lot of time lounging at trendy cafes. Be sure to bring fashionable "cafe" attire... something you would wear to Starbucks to meet with a group of fashionable friends, for example.

berk

gugu's links show it all...

However you need to take into account that you can not get into historical religious places with too 'open' stuff :)

Ladybug Queen of Lazistan

loveley!!! is there an other Turkey other than TURKEY?
I live in istanbul and I am wearing jeans and Tee...

hon..don worry..shorts (no hot pants of course)jeans,skirts ,tee's and tank tops will do it.no body will bother you as lond as you are not dressed like an alien or "overdo"it
by wearing too too mini's and a bikini top...dont worry...Turkey is a modern country were everyone can run around as they like.
have fun

AYYYY. My hometown! Dont wear anything too short unless youre going to a beach. Most of the women are Muslim. If you want to just follow the crowd a skirt upto the ankle , scarf , and a waist length shirt and a shawl would be perfect. Other than that just wear jeans, and shirt. Everyone will know you're a tourist.

Zarzoorner

Don't forget to buy a Chastity belt, you can not trust turkish men they do it even to there sisters.

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