Etiquette 101: Dress Codes 

The article titled Etiquette 101: Dress Codes by Conde Nast Traveler is a fun guide into what is appropriate and stylish in countries all around the world. The article is divided into continents, then countries, and specifically into what to wear “at a meeting, on the street, and at a party.”

The first stop on this trip is Africa and the Middle East, where the author discusses the importance of covering up. In Dubai, brand names are important on the streets and nothing is too shiny for party attire, but girls must keep their shoulders covered in the social light of the streets. Over in Jordan, things are kept simple and sophisticated, as long as women cover their shoulders at work or to a party. In Iran, the dress code is more strict; police regulate the rules on the streets, requiring women to be completely covered from head to toe either in a hooded, floor-length cloak known as a Chador or a loose garment resembling a coat called a Manteaux, and a patterned Hijab (head covering). Men flaunt real Italian suits. We found it interesting that woman could wear a veil to cover their heads and show off more skin than a Hijab. This seemed revealing for a country that is strict on women covering their entire body. 

So how does one wear a Hijab anyway? The article gives detailed descriptions into the appropriate ways to wear the head scarf, starting off by writing that women view others that wear their hair in a high bun under their hijab as provocative. While one may think on the streets is the perfect place to wear a hijab a little looser, Iranians think more along the lines of functionality and think realistically by securing the hijab under the chin so that it does not move or fall off in the hustle and bustle. As one might expect, the hijab is secured tightly at any gathering, meeting, or party.

We found the most interesting part of the article to be the section titled “What to wear on safari.” Although most people immediately think of interesting animal prints and patterns for a safari, the attire suggested throughout this article is all the more reserved. An important factor to remember is ***always to dress in layers, not to over pack, and avoid strong scents that may bother the animals.*** Men are to wear khakis or shorts with a fleece at night and women a tank top with a “Ralph Lauren linen button down” for the cooler mornings.

Next stop is Asia where a style for one country certainly will not work for traveling to the next. Brand names and fancy outfits on the street are popular in Japan whereas in Singapore, dress is more casual. Many people wear flip-flops as a trendy item.

Europe, like Asia, requires an extensive packing list if one is traveling from country to country. The first stop on this continent is France where sophistication and neutral colors are a must. Baseball caps, sneakers, and t-shirts are an absolute no when it comes to on-the-street fashion. Next stop, Turkey, but do not visit without getting a fresh manicure, men included. On the streets, women and men must never dress down -designer jeans and an ironed designer t-shirt forms a well put-together look. However, an interesting detail to note is that wearing brands with the name visible is considered low-class at a party. Stylish Turkish women choose plain designer dresses over ones with a recognizable logo on them. In the UK, preppy is not fashionable. Instead, men and women have a relaxed look. The last two stops are Milan and Paris where the author discusses the difference of these two fashion capitals. In Milan, clothing is vibrant and on trend, made by Italian designer brands, and paired with high heels, tan skin, and hair that is pulled up. In Paris, however, is a carefree and stylish look, where hair is messy to compliment the loose off the shoulder vintage tank worn by a stylish woman.

We think for most people, assumptions are made about how to dress by what we see on social media. What we fail to recognize sometimes when traveling or being in the environment of other cultures is that there is a difference between them, which is whether they are tight or loose.

-We become accustomed to the dress codes of our country simply by living and growing up in that place. 

-We subconsciously think of these dress codes when picking out an outfit for gatherings, parties, meetings, going out on the street, and traveling. 

-We constantly ask ourselves if something is appropriate for a specific type of event without realizing that other countries have completely different versions of what is appropriate and what is not. 

Tourists tend to dress in similar fashions to the dress code they are used to. People must recognize and be educated on places they are visiting because cultures change in their strict dress or lack thereof. This article makes it so that any American reading can be educated on the different rules of fashion in the countries mentioned above.