Hello,
I'm getting different reports on what clothing is best for a woman travelling in Syria. I know I'm not wearing shorts, of course--don't do that much here at home, in fact.
What really puzzles me is the question of sleeves. Are people going to be offended by short sleeves, or will I be fine as long as I don't go sleeveless?
I'm just trying not to be a "sore thumb" tourist.
Correct dress : it is important to cover your knees (a calf length skirt or loose trousers) and the tops of your arms (a tee shirt or something with cap sleeves is fine). Obviously no bare midriffs, and no tank or halter tops or shorts. You don't need to cover your head - except from the sun. You can relax this rule a bit at the main tourist sites like Petra, but don't relax it too far. Just remember that wherever you are, the more you show, the more you are going to get looked over. It would be utterly stupid to resent any leers if you are scantily dressed BY LOCAL STANDARDS and remember always that these are not necessarily the same as your own! I think I don't need to say that the beach, especially a private beach, is quite different.
Blending in : you are going to stand out anyway. Watch the way the Arab women walk in public and you will see that it is quite different from you. Don't worry, behaviour is the most important. Don't hesitate to denounce (loudly!) any undue familiarities, they will almost certainly stop immediately. Don't worry about hurting anybody's feelings by a refusal, the guys know what is correct behaviour better than you do, and will not normally resent it, however disappointed they might be personally!
I felt most comfortable in a long sleeved top when walking around the cities although I did see a few women in short sleeves in Christian neighbourhoods. In some areas you would stand out quite a bit with short sleeves as most Syrian women do not show much skin (eg it's common to see young women/teenagers wearing some top that would be very revealing over the top of a long sleeved, high necked top). Hama seemed more conservative than Damascus and Aleppo and I barely saw any woman without a headscarf (although it is fine for you as a tourist not to wear one).
In tourist sites like Krak de Chevaliers, the Dead Cities and Palmyra I wore short sleeves and felt comfortable.
I wore short sleeved t-shirts, long skirts and below the knee cut-off jeans. Comfortable but not too open( I must admit I was dying to wear a strappy dress in that heat)
Op - when are getting '....different reports on what clothing is best for a woman travelling in Syria'? .What time of year are you going? I have only travelled in the ME - including Syria - in December and January and although it is warm at midday when standing in the sun I wouldn’t have worn short sleeves nor did I see short sleeves being worn by ANYBODY - locals or toruists. I have worn a T shirt with a long sleeve shirt (recycled Men’s shirt with tails) over the top and my baggy cargos. Because it was winter it was great weather for layering. I have a silk hijab which doubles as a neck warmer and is worn as a head covering when in a mosque or in a religious neighbourhood. I have never experienced verbal comments or insults for having my hijab with me and received lovely comments and great conversation with local women of all ages.
I would say generally speaking in the larger cities of Damascus, Homs, and Aleppo if you are dressed modestly you will feel comfortable. And by modest I mean in capri shorts, short sleeve shirts, even knee length skirts you will be more than fine. Even more skimpy if you like in the christian neighborhoods of these cities. Even the muslim girls in scarfs these days are wearing capris and knee length skirts. Dont forget this is a secular country and is really quite liberal next to some middle eastern countries and getting more so by the day. In the more touristy spots like Palymyra and Crak you can dress however you want within reason obviously. In Hama, the above is still fine, I see lots of tourists like that here, though if you want to avoid the drools of the local men I would say dress more covered here, ie long pants and loose tops. I would also say the same for other less visited and smaller cities. I really wouldnt worry to much about it, for the most part Syrians recognize the foreigner from the local, and are quite respectful of the differences in life around the world compared to here. On the whole to be honest with you the foriegners that I see come in are dressed far better than some of the local women in a scarf in the modest department! Dont worry and enjoy your trip, its truly a magical place to see and experience, and when you get to Hama holler :D
Take care
Aisha in Hama
American Expat