Are you wondering what to wear in Jordan? Have questions about the Jordan Dress Code? In this guide we will give you outfit inspiration for Jordan as well as answer any burning questions about what you can and can not wear in this beautiful Middle Eastern Country.
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Is there a Jordan Dress Code
As with any Middle East dress code, it is important to remember that Jordan is a conservative Muslim country. As such you will find the dress code is requires modest and conservative attire.
The main rules of the Jordan dress code are:
- Shoulders must be kept covered
- Knees must be covered
- Clothing should not be too revealing or too tight.
For a full break down of what not to wear in Jordan see this post.
How do people dress in Jordan?
Unlike in some of it’s Middle Eastern neighbours such as UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for instance, you don’t see the Jordanian National Dress as commonly.
You will see locals wearing a mix of Western and national dress. However if you travel to some of the more rural areas of Jordan then you may see women wearing ‘libis shar’i’ or ‘jilbab’. This is basically a loose-fitting dress style overcoat. It also comes in a variety of colors.
On special occasions National Traditional Dress will be worn and consists of black dress with colorful embroidery for ladies. And men will wear a dishdashah’ or ‘thoub’, These too come in a variety of colors but will often be worn in white or beige / brown.
Do you have to wear a hijab in Jordan?
Probably the most frequently asked question for any first time visitor to the Middle East is “Do you have to wear a hijab in Jordan?”.
You will find that local ladies do in fact often cover their head with a head scarf. However as an expat or tourist in Jordan you are not expected to wear a hijab, headscarf, burka or any other national dress item.
However I personally always carry a pashmina with me in the Middle East as it can be useful as an extra layer if you get cold but can also make outfits more modest or be used to cover your head if you find it required.
If you are visiting other countries in the region be sure to check out our wondering what to wear in the Middle East post which offers a helpful country comparison.
Can you wear a bikini in Jordan?
In answer to can you wear a bikini in Jordan the answer is both yes and no. If you are on one of the many beautiful public beaches or in other public places then you absolutely can not wear a bikini in Jordan.
If you are in a public place on the beach or in the water I therefore recommend that you pack swimwear that provides coverage. For instance we recommend wearing shorts and long sleeve rash vests in public places to be more conservative and respectful.
However if you are at a private beach or in a resort hotel you may wear a bikini on the beach or around the pool. I would however still wear a bikini that has more covering than say a thong bikini to be respectful of local culture.
You will also need to have a beach cover with you for when walking in communal places and in restaurants or bars etc.
For more information on what to wear in the Dead Sea check out this post.
Can you wear shorts in Jordan?
The answer to can you wear shorts in Jordan is yes and no as it really depends on the shorts you are wearing and the location you are at.
It is important that your knees are covered at all times so if you do select shorts we recommend picking longer length ones that cover your knees. Note: You may see people wearing shorts in Jordan especially at the big tourist sites such as Petra and Wadi Rum but I personally would try and be more respectful of local culture and opt for loose and cool trousers instead.
However if you are at one of the resort hotels in Jordan then you of course can wear shorts of any length though again I prefer to air on the more conservative side even at the resorts.
Can you wear jeans in Jordan?
Yes you can absolutely wear jeans in Jordan. However I don’t recommend it if you are visiting Jordan in summer when the temperatures can easily get into the 40s.
Jeans can also be hot and uncomfortable for hiking in for Petra and Wadi Rum, especially in summer. Instead we recommend natural fabrics or hiking trousers for these instances.
The only place I would personally consider wearing jeans in Jordan in summer is in a mall or at the cinema where the air conditioning can be very strong.
Can you wear skinny jeans in Jordan?
Now we know you can wear jeans in Jordan – what about skinny jeans? I would say you can wear skinny jeans in Jordan but you don’t want to have an outfit that is overly revealing.
Can you wear ripped jeans in Jordan?
he question of can you wear ripped jeans in Jordan is a controversial one in some ways. As we know you can definitely wear jeans in Jordan but ripped ones may be against the rules. It will depend entirely on where the rips are.
I would personally avoid ripped jeans in Jordan if the rips reveal your knees or things.
Can I wear leggings in Jordan?
Similarly to the question of wearing skinny jeans, we also get asked ‘can I wear leggings in Jordan?” As they are tight fitting I probably wouldn’t wear them out in more conservative public and rural places.
However if you want to exercise in Jordan or use them for hiking at places such as Petra then leggings should be fine.
What to Wear to Jordan in WInter
Although many people think about Jordan as a hot desert country, the truth is it can get cold in Jordan in Winter.
In Winter, which in Jordan is the months of November, December, January, February and runs right into March, temperatures can drop as low a 3 degrees Celsius at is coldest.
However day times can warm up so layers are your best friend on any Jordan packing list.
On top of that any desert can get chilly in the morning or at night once the sun goes down therefore it is important to have lots of layers for your Jordan Winter packing list.
What are the Best Shoes for Jordan
When looking for the best shoes for Jordan it really depends on where you are going and what activities you plan on doing as to what shoes you need to take.
If you plan to stay in the city or at your resort for your entire Jordan vacation then sneakers and sandals will be perfect.
However it really would be a detriment if you didn’t visit some more outdoorsy locations. Therefore we recommend you packing the following shoes for Jordan:
Hiking Boots
Hiking boots are perfect for visiting Petra and Wadi Rum where you are walking in the desert.
Sneakers
These are useful for in the cities and resorts and places where oyu aren’t hiking.
Sandals / Flip Flops
I don’t recommend wearing these during the day in the desert as the sand is hot and they offer no support for the uneven surfaces of Petra however these are perfect for round the pool and on beaches at resorts
Water Shoes
If you plan on spending time in the water in Jordan we recommend wearing some water shoes.
What should I wear in the desert in Jordan?
The desert requires a difference set of outfits compared to the Amman for instance. Therefore we have written specific what to wear guides for some of Jordan’s largest tourist attractions:
What to Wear in Jordan Packing List
What to wear in Jordan as a woman?
When you are looking at what to wear in Jordan as a woman it is important to remember that:
- you should keep your shoulders and knees covered
- not wear overly tight or revealing clothing.
Therefore we recommend adding the below to your what to wear in Jordan list:
Maxi Skirts and Maxi Dresses
A Maxi skirt or maxi dress is always any of my Middle East packing lists.
Maxi skirts and dresses are a great modest but cool piece of clothing however just be sure that if you pack these that there isn’t an overly high slit that reveal your knee or a low back or thin straps which would be against the dress code. The one in the above picture is absolutely perfect for Jordan.
Click here to shop Maxi Dresses
T Shirts with sleeves and Long Sleeve Blouses
A T Shirt that covers the shoulder is great wherever you are heading in Jordan and loose long sleeve blouses are great for hiking in.
Pashmina
For any trip to Jordan whatever time of year you are traveling we recommend taking a pashmina. This is for several reasons:
- The air conditioning can be very strong so you may want to have a pashmina as an extra layer for some indoor locations.
- It can be used to make an outfit more modest when required.
- It can be used as a head covering if required.
Fleece Jacket / Sweater
It might sound strange to be heading to a country that has daytimes temperatures in the 30s and that can soar into the 40s but I recommend taking a cardigan.
The reason is because the indoor venues in Jordan have strong air conditioning so you will want an extra layer.
Also if you plan to set out early on hikes or plan to visit the desert at night you will definitely need some extra laters such as fleece jackets or a sweater.
Jacket
For those visiting Jordan in winter.
Swimwear
I always opt for one pieces for Jordan as it is a conservative country. Also when swimming in public I have a rash vest and shorts on my packing list.
Underwear
This goes without saying.
Beach Cover
Helpful for at a resort.
Sun Hat
The sun is very strong in Jordan especially in the desert where there is very little shade. It is important to protect your face from the sun.
Sunglasses
For the same reason as above.
What to wear in Jordan for men
While men may be able to wear longer length shorts that cover the knee alongside t shirt, I would recommend men packing the below for Jordan:
- linen and cotton trousers
- walking trousers
- t shirts
- button down shirts with long sleeves
- fleece top / sweater
- hiking boots
- jacket – for winter
- sneakers
- flip flops for at the pool
- sunglasses
- sunhat
- swimwear including rash vest for public places.
Jordan Packing List (Non Clothing)
Now we have covered the clothes you should pack for Oman, we will look at the non clothing items to put on your packing list
- Documents including Marriage Certificate
- Suncream
- Aloe Vera
- Lip Balm with SPF
- Toiletries
- Medication and their related prescriptions
- First Aid Kit
- Water bottle – it is important to stay hydrated in Jordan.
- Cooling Towel
- Quick Dry Towel
Have you been to Jordan? What else would you add to this what to wear in Jordan packing list? Or if you have a question about the Jordan dress code leave us a question below and we will do our best to answer.