Are you visiting Jordan for the first time and unsure how to dress? Here’s a guide for what to wear in Jordan as a woman so you can feel comfortable and stylish but also respectful of the culture.
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If you want to enjoy your time in Jordan while respecting the locals and their culture, you want to make sure you are dressed appropriately and comfortably.
This doesn’t mean you still can’t dress cute and stylish, you only need to be more mindful of what you wear. It’s better to be safe than sorry in these situations as you don’t want to offend anyone in their own country.
In this post, we’ll go over exactly what the clothing norms and standards are for women in Jordan, and how to make sure you’re dressed respectfully while still looking fashionable and trendy for your pictures!
About Jordan Culture
Jordan is a Muslim country which means women are much more conservative in how they dress. They generally cover up their whole bodies with loose clothing to signify modesty and privacy.
Most women, who practice Islam, will choose to wear a hijab – a head covering. A hijab is meant to protect the wearer from unwanted and unwelcome gazes and attention.
You will notice many women wearing hijabs but also some wearing face veils that cover most of their face leaving just their eyes exposed. You will also notice some women not wearing a headscarf at all.
This does not mean that as a female tourist, you must also wear one. It’s just important to be aware of social and religious standards before traveling to any country. However, it may still be surprising to you at first.
The only time you may be required to cover your head is if you are planning on visiting a mosque. A mosque is a place of worship for Muslims. Not all mosques will require you to do so but it is respectful to abide by their customs. In this case, make sure to bring a lightweight scarf or pashmina to cover up.
I do want to mention that I felt the culture and customs to be a little more relaxed in Jordan compared to Egypt. For example, I noticed more women were dressed modernly and more women were smoking than in Egypt. In my experience, Jordanians were a lot friendlier than Egyptians in general.
What To Wear As A Woman
As a woman visiting Jordan, you want to make sure you wear appropriate clothing. The most important thing to remember when deciding what to pack for your visit to Jordan is comfort and respect for the culture. I know some women may want to wear whatever they would normally wear at home but I advise you against this.
You will likely already stand out just by being a tourist. You don’t want to attract any unwanted attention by wearing revealing tops or shorts. Just remember that you are in a new place with different customs and traditions – you want to be discreet!
You want to make sure to wear loose-fitting clothes and nothing too tight to accentuate curves. Long sleeve shirts and long pants/skirts are the best options. Jordan’s climate can definitely be hot so lightweight clothes are recommended.
I would travel with a backpack or purse to keep a scarf and a lightweight cardigan in there just in case. That way you have the option to take it off or put it on if you need to.
Best Time To Visit Jordan
The best seasons to visit Jordan are definitely spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). The climate is more temperate during these months and therefore more enjoyable. You may want to avoid visiting during the summer when temperatures are scorching, especially if you’ll be spending time in Wadi Rum or Petra.
I traveled to Jordan in February and there were some days where it was cold when the sun wasn’t shining. However, there were also very warm and sunny days. Especially in Aqaba for example.
I would just keep in mind what months you are traveling and what the standard temperatures are for that season. For example, I traveled with a heavy jacket in February and was definitely happy I had it. I also traveled with a pair of shorts and tank tops just in case.
Here is a Jordan climate guide if you need some more information about monthly temperatures.
Clothing Packing Guide
Below is a helpful packing guide with essential tips to help you get a better idea of what to wear in Jordan as a woman!
Tops & Cover-Ups
I would recommend bringing a variety of shirts and cover-ups so you have options. As you can see in one of my photos, I did wear a cropped tank top when I was in Aqaba as it was a beachy town and the weather was warm. However, the rest of the time I was sure to wear more loose-fitting tank tops.
As for cover-ups, I love a good kimono or duster. I brought a few of these as they are pretty lightweight but still cover up your arms and shoulders. Make sure to keep any low-cut shirts that may show too much cleavage at home.
You will definitely want a lightweight cover-up if you’re visiting Wadi Rum. The sun tends to be very strong in places like this and you’ll be happy to protect your skin.
Bathing Suit & Scarves/Pashminas
The Dead Sea is a must-visit place while you’re in Jordan. You’ll want to bring a used bathing suit because it’s possible the high salt content can damage the fabric. I wore a two-piece bathing suit but with high wasted bottoms and used a pashmina as a sarong to cover up.
As mentioned, a pashmina or a scarf is also a great idea to bring if you need to cover up your head or shoulders. There are also a ton for sale all over Jordan in case you’d prefer to buy one there as a souvenir.
You may see a lot of tourists wearing a head wrap either in Wadi Rum or Petra but this is more so for protection from the sun. Your local Bedouin guide may even wrap it for you to show you how it’s done.
Pants & Shorts
A few comfortable pairs of pants and maybe one or two pairs of shorts are a good idea. This of course depends on what time of year you are visiting. Even though leggings are tight, I wore these in Wadi Rum because I was rock climbing and they were lightweight but covered me up.
Keep in mind what you will be doing on your trip. If you are planning on spending a lot of time outside exploring and hiking, pants are a great option. However, if you plan on spending most of your time in Aqaba or The Dead Sea, perhaps some shorts will come in handy.
If you do wear tight pants or leggings, it would be best to make sure your shirt or cardigan is long enough to cover up your booty. If you do wear shorts, just make sure they are not too short or revealing. Remember in high school, where your shorts had to be longer than where your fingertips fell? That’s a good rule of thumb!
Skirts & Dresses
I don’t know about you but I do like to dress up from time to time, especially to get some beautiful pictures. You will notice that most women in Jordan wear long skirts or dresses over pants. So a few dresses and skirts will ensure you don’t stand out as much especially if they’re muted colors.
I wore a long, lightweight, and flowy pink dress to Petra with a duster cover-up. I definitely got a little hot at times but my cover-up was quite breathable so it was manageable. As I said, it’s best to bring a variety of cover-up options so you can be comfy wherever you visit.
Shoes
Lastly, you want to make sure you bring comfortable shoes because you will likely be doing a lot of walking. A comfy pair of sneakers is a great idea but also a pair of sandals.
I like to travel in my Blundstone boots, as they are comfortable and durable but also cute. They are an investment but so worth it as I have had them for years and they’ve only gotten better.
I also never go anywhere without my Chaco sandals, especially if any sort of water activity is involved! Chaco’s are so comfy and cute and extremely durable. They’re slip resistant and are great outdoor sandals. I backpacked Southeast Asia with these for six months and never looked back.
However, I did also bring one more pair of stylish sandals for those days I didn’t do as much walking. For example, Aqaba is a beachy town and people were dressed a little less conservatively here.
I hope this post and packing guide helped you get a better idea of what to wear in Jordan as a woman! As I said, although Jordan is a Muslim country, it seems they are less strict than other Middle Eastern countries. As long as you dress modestly and respectfully, there is no reason to worry too much about what to wear while in Jordan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear in Jordan as a woman?
As a female traveler, you should wear loose-fitting clothing and clothes that cover you up. Discreet and modest clothing are the best options. You want to cover up your legs and arms as much as possible. Long dresses and skirts are also a great option.
Most importantly, be mindful and respectful when choosing what to wear in Jordan as a woman. It’s always best to respect different cultures and customs.
Can female tourists wear shorts in Jordan?
Yes, depending on where you are. If you are visiting the beachy town of Aqaba or a Dead Sea resort, then yes shorts are more commonly worn. However, you shouldn’t wear any super short shorts that are too revealing. However, you may want to avoid shorts altogether if you are in a small village or a non-touristy place.
For more Jordan information, you may also like:
- The Best Falafel In Amman Guaranteed – Hashem Restaurant
- The Best & Complete Jordan Road Trip Itinerary (With Map)
- How To Visit The Dead Sea In Jordan For Free (2023)
