What to Wear in Turkey

Top style tips for Turkey

Smart casual wear works really well for daytime and evenings.
The 4 and 5 star hotels can be extremely sophisticated and glamorous and you may want to pack a smarter outfit to fit in.
If you are looking for a highly versatile travel jacket to bring along we recommend the SCOTTeVEST range. Their range of jackets have been specifically designed with traveling in mind and include RFID security (to protect your passport information), 23 secure pockets and personal connectivity integration.

Make sure you have comfy footwear for daytime exploring (we love Hotter shoes, for comfort and style).

In the evenings, Turkish women really dress up, but bare arms and plunging necklines are seldom seen as they're covered in public (even in the dining rooms of the grandest 5-star hotels) with a lightweight pretty scarf or pashmina.
In rural Turkey, women tend to dress much more modestly, with dark colored head scarves. A long skirt or loose-fitting pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt will help you to blend in a little more, and will protect you from the sun.
The dress code is much more relaxed in the coastal resorts, because they exist predominantly for the tourist trade. However, you'll be far more welcome if you still bear in mind the Muslim customs. For instance, don't go topless; however comfortable you are with it, the Turkish are not.
Shorts, a sarong, camisoles and swimwear are all perfectly fine for use in your resort. If you know you're going to stay put, then this is the only type of clothing you'll need.
But our advice would be to save your shorts and sarong for the beach, as wearing them elsewhere will label you as a tourist and skimpy tight-fitting clothes may get you unwanted attention.
If you are going to visit any mosques or other religious sites then be sure to cover your shoulders and bare legs – a wrap or sarong can come in handy for this too.
A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will transform any outfit.
And a pashmina is a versatile piece that will always add a bit of ‘glam' when you need it.

If you're looking for versatile and stylish beachwear, try the Madda Fella range of shirts, shorts, polos and swimwear.

In the winter months of November, December, January and February it gets really cold and wet (and it snows) so wrap up – take a coat, warm hat, scarf and gloves.
In the summer – June, July, August and September – wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.
We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip :)Download for iPad/iPhone or Android

Away from the large cities and seaside tourist resorts, the locals in rural communities dress very conservatively with women wearing traditional dress and headscarves. Modesty is very much the best policy here, so the more flesh you can keep covered the better.
For hiking in Cappadocia take sturdy walking shoes and a light day sack for your essentials. High summer (July and August) can be roasting so you'll need a high factor sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection) or keep covered under lightweight layers.
Istanbul is very cosmopolitan and stylish, but if you don't want to stand out on the street wear modest clothing; short shorts or short skirts are not a great idea.
The best way to see the Old City of Istanbul is on foot so the advice is comfy walking attire that can be removed easily when visiting any of the many mosques (try Hotter shoes, for total comfort and a range of styles).

Don’t drink or even brush your teeth in tap water. Consider taking a safe drinking water bottle.
A lightweight day sack or beach bag will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials.
Look after your mobile phone with a phone bunjee. It protects against loss, theft and damage – particularly useful in crowds or when hiking outdoors.
To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for European voltage (230V).
If you're aiming to travel with just carry-on baggage, try the CabinMax soft-sided rucksack – it's light, roomy and has plenty of pockets to keep your stuff organized.
Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Leather, gold and onyx are good buys in Turkey but be on the lookout for fakes; avoid the tourist areas and head for the local shops. Remember haggling is expected in the bazaars, but a smile and a polite “no thank you” to any over-eager shopkeepers is key to not feeling pressured and being respected.