What to Wear in Brazil

General Style Tips

• When packing, keep in mind that cities like Rio and São Paulo are big, fashionable, cosmopolitan cities and you will feel more at home if you avoid baggy jeans in favor of a smarter casual look.
• Don't be afraid to wear bright colors – they'll fit right in.
• Our advice would be to pack a jacket or wrap, as the buildings and restaurants can be a little over-enthusiastic with the air conditioning.
• Brazilians love the beach – it's almost a religion and appearance really matters to them. It's considered ultra-cool to wear the tiniest bikinis and trunks.
• If you want to look cool and really fit in on the beach, take a sarong to lie on rather than a beach towel; only tourists swim, and Brazilians head to the beach to socialise not lie down with a good book.
• Wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), and remember sunglasses and a sunhat.

What Shoes To Pack

• Make sure you take comfy footwear for daytime. We love Hotter shoes, for total comfort along with style.
• Ladies, save your high heels for the evenings. Or try the Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops range – using interchangeable shoe and flip-flop bases with snap-on decorations, you can change your look from day to evening in an instant whilst still packing light.

Clothing Tips for Women

• Although skimpy swimwear is the trend, be warned – going naked or topless is a definite no-no.
• If you visit any religious sites, make sure you cover your shoulders and avoid anything too revealing.
• A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will transform any outfit.
• And a pashmina is a versatile piece that will dress up any outfit, as well as keep off a chill or cover you for modesty.
• The humidity can play havoc with your hair – so think about accessories or a scarf to keep it looking neat and tidy.
• If you are here on business most women wear dresses or skirts.

Clothing Tips for Men

• For versatile and stylish beachwear, try the Madda Fella range of shirts, shorts, polos and swimwear.
• If you are here on business a collar and tie still dominate.
• For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.

Pack for the Weather

• Most of Brazil is tropical which means hot and humid so natural fabrics will be more comfortable.
• The summer (December, January, February and March) is very hot and natural fabrics like linen, silk and cotton will work best.
• 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

Regions of Brazil

• If your trip involves exploring the country outside of the major cities then it is likely to include lots of walking – so be sure to carry good, lightweight walking shoes or sandals, a wide-brimmed sunhat and sunglasses. Our advice is to dress in layers that can be shed as the day really heats up. light wool is a good choice to wear against your skin as it naturally helps to regulate your body temperature. It keeps you warm in the cold, wicks away moisture when it's hot, and doesn't retain odours – even after prolonged wear.
• Florianopolis is said to be the ‘Miami' of Brazil, with outdoor sports including diving, hang gliding, paragliding and mountain biking, as well as surfing, all being popular. What to wear here? Well even in the clubs flip flops are acceptable… so it's beach casual all the way.
• The Pantanal is fast becoming a key destination for wildlife-watching. Make sure you have good insect/mosquito repellent and a tick removal tool for mosquitoes and ticks, absolutely don't forget your camera and good binoculars, and you'll need a rimmed sunhat plus sunglasses. Wear long loose clothing with sturdy footwear when exploring during the day, but flip-flops are great for the evenings.
• If you plan on visiting Iguazu Falls it is good to wear pumps, sneakers or good walking shoes. It is not cold but with all the vapour you will get wet, so a very lightweight raincoat is a good idea and a small travel umbrella will be useful – particularly when you want to take photos, or you may like to take a waterproof phone case. During December, January, February and March the falls will be at their fullest.

Other Things To Pack

• Don’t drink or even brush your teeth in tap water. Consider taking a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle.
• A bag or soft-sided rucksack is a more practical option than hard cases when traveling around the country, and using packing cubes can help to keep your belongings tidy whilst compressing the volume too.
• A microfiber travel towel is another great item to pack – these are designed specifically for trekking: they fold really small so you can accommodate a larger size and they dry really quickly too.
• Combine your bag with a beach bag or fold away day sack that will carry your essentials on day trips.
• Look after your mobile phone with a phone bunjee – it protects against loss, theft and damage and is especially useful in busy cities or when trekking.
• To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step up or step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for the local voltage. This varies between 127V and 220V depending on where you visit, so check before you go.
• 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! Look for Brazil's national drink called cachaça, it's used in caipirinha cocktails – just remember liquids will need to be packed in your hold luggage. Coffee of course is also a popular buy, or you might like some Havaianas flip flops.