What to Wear to Luxor, Egypt
The city of Luxor is engulfed in ancient Egyptian history, culture, and extremely hot weather. From Karnak to King Tut’s tomb, the fingerprints of our earliest civilizations have embedded themselves throughout the city and taken form in murals, statues, temples, and obelisks. The street markets and small cafes are also part of the journey here, as you will truly see yourself in a culture that is far removed from western civilization.
So, this begs the obvious question: what does one wear to Luxor? The best advice I can give is to dress conservatively and comfortably. This predominantly-Muslim city will appreciate you for respecting their culture if you wear clothing that covers your body. If, as a woman, you choose to wear shorts and sleeveless blouses, the locals will stare at you and they will constantly hound you to purchase whatever it is they are selling. They may be trying to sell you anything from a horse and carriage ride to a scarf. You also don’t want to wear anything that is form-fitting because it will be uncomfortable in the hot temperatures and because the locals will stare at you constantly. Think loose linen pants, maxi skirts, light cotton blouses with long sleeves, and chiffon or linen scarves. You will also want to bring a hat and sunglasses to shade yourself from the intensity of the sun. TOM’s or a pair of comfortable sandals will work fine for footwear. Make sure to carry a small handbag that you can wear across your body with small bills, facial tissues, and the pages of a guidebook you will need for that particular day/area. Yes, I am suggesting, you tear the pages out of your guidebook, unless you have access to a copy machine.
Once you get past the initial culture shock, you will truly enjoy the time you have in such an amazing part of the world.
Written By: Heidi Plumb
