What to Wear in Pakistan

by | Aug 23, 2017

colourful mandala
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Last updated on November 19th, 2023

I’ve found that the best all-round outfit is a Western form of the Muslim Shalwar Khamiz, a tunic top with a fairly high neck (doesn’t need to have a collar) that reaches to about the knees and has sleeves to the wrist, and loose-fitting trousers that reach the ankles. Good walking shoes on the feet and a long scarf that can be draped over the head and shoulders completes the ensemble. The scarf is necessary for Muslim countries. As a feminist, I don’t of course condone the covering up of women, but in remote areas of Pakistan it is a courtesy to those who have not asked Western women to visit. The main thing for women travelers to remember is that correct dress should not be considered an option. In poor countries, where every tourist uses up too much water, electricity, and food, it is the least we can do to be considerate.

Carolyn Clarke, London, England

As is the case in most Islamic countries, it is important for women to cover as much of their body as possible in loose clothing. I’ve found that in Pakistan, people are really appreciative of tourists who wear the traditional punjabi dress, shalwar kameez. It’s basically a long tunic and baggy pants worn with a long scarf draped around the neck or shoulders. You can buy simple, inexpensive cotton shalwar kameezes in any market or clothing store. If you’re going to Pakistan in the summer, they’re the best thing to wear.

Sabiha, Ann Arbor, USA

In ultra-orthodox countries like Yemen and Pakistan, Dress very conservatively. I often felt more comfortable even covering my hair with a long scarf.

Follow JourneyWoman for curated articles, tips, news and content from our community and our partners.

0 Comments

We always strive to use real photos from our own adventures, provided by the guest writer or from our personal travels. However, in some cases, due to photo quality, we must use stock photography. If you have any questions about the photography please let us know.

Disclaimer: We are so happy that you are checking out this page right now! We only recommend things that are suggested by our community, or through our own experience, that we believe will be helpful and practical for you. Some of our pages contain links, which means we’re part of an affiliate program for the product being mentioned. Should you decide to purchase a product using a link from on our site, JourneyWoman may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps us maintain our beautiful website. JourneyWoman is an Amazon Associate and earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

We want to hear what you think about this article, and we welcome any updates or changes to improve it. You can comment below, or send an email to us at [email protected].

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *