What to Wear in Egypt as a Solo Female Traveler

Before embarking on my trip in November 2021, I had so many questions about what to wear in Egypt.

What is considered too revealing? What is appropriate? Do I need to cover my legs? My shoulders? My hair? Is there a different dress code at certain tourist locations? Will I attract unwanted attention?

Traveling as a female can be extremely nerve-wracking, especially if you’re alone. Worry not- I’m here to share my experience of traveling alone in Egypt with you so that you can best prepare for your own trip. In the end, I want you to dress in a way that is safe and comfortable for you, while still looking cute as hell.

What to Wear in Egypt as a Solo Female Traveler

I’ve read many blogs with varying opinions on how conservative you should dress. Some tell you to cover your hair, while others say you can wear whatever you want. As I walked around Egypt and saw differing levels of conservative from female tourists, I could definitely tell what blogs these women were reading for their information. While some go for the long pants and long sleeve look, others wear tiny shorts and tank tops.

I had no issues with anything people chose to wear, but I definitely felt a vibe from Egyptians towards more scantily dressed women. They were looked at disapprovingly or even leeringly (cringe).

I had decided before I left to bring more conservative outfits (long skirts, long sleeve shirts, etc), and I felt pretty good about my choices.

solo female travel egypt

Even dressed conservatively, however, I still got cat-called by Egyptian men walking down the streets on my own. Though nobody was outright rude, it still made me extremely uncomfortable.

However, I saw many Egyptian women, especially in Cairo, wearing skinny jeans and long sleeve shirts. I’m not sure how much they get called at on the street by men (perhaps my blonde hair made me stand out extra).

I think when deciding what to wear in Egypt, you need to know how comfortable you are with getting attention from local Egyptian people (men and females alike). If you don’t care that much, you have more flexibility. If you really want as little attention as possible, then you should dress as conservatively as possible.

It also depends on how ‘foreign’ you look. If you have blonde hair and blue eyes, you’ll stand out no matter what. If you have brown hair, you’ll blend in a bit more.

I personally really hate unwanted attention. I made the decision in Egypt to wear a fake wedding ring as well as cover my hair while I was walking around. This significantly brought the number of looks I received down, especially when I also wore sunglasses.

While you don’t have to wear a fake wedding ring or cover your hair, I still would recommend a conservative look. I think this is the most respectful to the local people and is the safest for all solo female travelers (& all female travelers in general).

What to Wear in Egypt – Packing Tips

Dress for the heat (you want clothes that cover but also ones that don’t unbearably suffocate you)
Go for those vibrant colors & patterns! (Egypt is very tan. There’s lots of desert and the pyramids and temples all kind of blend in with the landscape. You will really want that pop of color to stand out in your photos and add a little extra spice)
Also go for lighter colors, especially in the hottest months- deflect those sun rays!
Bring a few warm layers. Even in the heat of the desert, it can cool down a lot at night.

What to Wear in Egypt – Long and Loose Pants

I practically lived in long, flowy pants while traveling around Egypt. They’re super comfortable and practical (especially if you want to ride a camel) and look super cute paired with a flowy top.

What to Wear in Egypt – Maxi Dresses

Maxi dresses are your best friend. They are lightweight and flowy (which allows good airflow) and they cover you from head to toe. Bonus points are they are really freaking cute.

What to Wear in Egypt – Flowy Long-Sleeved Tops

These flowy tops are great to pair with some long pants. They give your body some breathing room in the heat but also have that cute boho vibe.

What to Wear in Egypt – Throw-Over Tops and Sweaters

These tops are great for throwing over your outfit if you have a short sleeve shirt you want to wear or if the nights are a bit cooler.

What to Wear in Egypt – Close-toed Shoes vs. Sandals

I really thought I’d be rocking the sandals the entirety of my Egypt stay, but I actually went back and forth with my boots. The ground can be quite sandy and it’s easy for things to get into your shoes. Still, sandals are a lot more comfortable on those super hot days.

Here are some awesome sandals I recommend:

And here are some boots that would be ideal in Egypt:

What to Wear in Egypt – Hair Cover or No?

Wearing a hair cover is not necessary, but it’s totally up to you what makes you the most comfortable. You can use a little light shawl and wrap it around your hair when you feel like you need a bit more coverage- this is what I did.

What to Wear in Egypt – Fun Accessories

There are so many ways you can add a little something extra to any of your outfits. Add a hat, some jewelry, or a cute headpiece for that Egyptian effect.

What to Wear in Egypt – Bags and Purses

You will definitely need a bag to carry your stuff around. I usually switch between a cute purse and a tote bag, depending on how much stuff I need to carry around that day.

What to Wear in Egypt – Other Helpful Items

Here are some more items that may be helpful to you.

Fake wedding ring – I really appreciated my fake wedding ring, especially when men would look at it and ask me if I’m taken. I would say yes and they would back off.
Coral safe sunscreen – Egypt has some really amazing scuba-diving out in the Red Sea. If you plan to take advantage of this opportunity, I highly recommend using sunscreen that’s safe for the reefs.
A nice camera – so that you can get top-of-the-line photos to share with all your friends and family.
The Alchemist – the perfect book to read while you’re spending time in Egypt (trust me, it’s a classic).
Sunglasses – to protect your eyes from the bright, hot Egyptian sun.
Fanny pack– to keep all your important belongings safely strapped to your body so you don’t need to stress.