One for the ladies - Suitable attire in Sri Lanka?

[Miss Pitstop]

I'm off to Sri Lanka in November and many of the guide books I have looked through mention that ladies should wear conservative dress due to the culture & religion there. I'm fine with that, "when in rome" etc, but does that mean just when visiting religious temples etc or all the time, even in a hotel? For example, is a vest top inappropriate as it's bearing my shoulders & arms? Would 3/4 length cut off's be ok or should I wear full trousers? I've got a few long skirts but if I'm climbing up to temples, they won't be all that practical!

If there are any ladies (or men I guess) with experience of this, I'd really appreciate some advice. We're following Sri Lanka with the Maldives and I've got the beachwear sorted, but don't want to offend the locals in Sri Lanka or for them to think I'm some sort of "lady of the night!" becuase I'm wearing shorts!!

[Broomsticklady]

Sri Lanka is comparitively 'laid back' about these matters, compared to the Middle East. You sound as if you're being quite sensible about it, if you don't mind me saying so. I'm a bit odd - for various reasons I can't afford to get sunburn, so I cover up wrist to ankle anyway, but in the small group we were with, 'dress' shorts and t shirts were common place - didn't see skimpy 'just cover yer bum' shorts but mid thigh ones - no problem. The most important thing I'd say from a practicality point is the compromise between shoes you can walk comfortably in but get on and off easily for the temple visits!!

When the guide books talk about respecting the culture I find it means "not beach clothing when sight seeing" which some people seem to think OK - in Turkey in May I was disgusted to see ladies topless sunbathing when young ish muslim guys were having to serve them drinks and food.

Enjoy your trip

[LuS1fer]

In Kerala in Southern India, they are also quite laid back about it and bikinis are perfectly acceptable on a beach though you will get a viewing section of Indian lads who are more intrigued by the whiteness than anything else. On Lighthouse Beach they have police who shoo them away. The hawkers sell sarongs so clearly expect this sort of skimpy attire to be worn.

[VxDuncan]

Off in October myself ). THe girlfriend is quite stressed about this. Talking to a Sri Lankan (female) friend, I think the locals are pretty tolerant and expect tourists to wear clothing that is a little more "western". Maybe out in the sticks it's a bit differetn, but for the tourist areas you should be fine as long as you are relatively covered. A Shawl is handy to cover shoulders when visiting temples, and short shorts should be avoided.

Whatever happens you'll still find the young Russian women wearing incredibly revealing clothes, and the french women having the usual phobia of bras.

[missdiane]

Just the temples, we dressed in usual holiday attire even on trips and it seemed perfectly normal, just the temples you had to cover shoulders and I think you had to cover knees as well

Where about are you going in Sri Lanka?

[Miss Pitstop]

Cheers all, I think the sight of me in 'just below the bum' shorts would offend in any culture!!
We are flying into Colombo then touring round the usual tourist route, dambula, elephant orphanage, tea plantation, I can't remember all the places at the moment but they are all fairly touristy so hopefully I'll be ok.

[dienamic]

missdiane said:

Just the temples, we dressed in usual holiday attire even on trips and it seemed perfectly normal, just the temples you had to cover shoulders and I think you had to cover knees as well

This. We went a couple of years ago and western attire was normal around the hotel and pool etc. Mrs D wore a pair of linen pants and a shawl when visiting the temples etc. Have a great time - we loved it!