What clothing should I wear in the Philippines?

July 9, 2017 2:33 PM

I'm going to the Philippines in December. I don't know the full agenda yet; I know some time will be spent in Manila and some time somewhere more rural. What clothes are appropriate for women? I have seen conflicting information. Are shorts appropriate? Jeans? Will it be too hot for jeans? Only dresses? Must my shoulders and knees be covered at all times? Shoes? Other ideas? Thanks!
posted by Ms Vegetable to Travel & Transportation around Philippines (8 answers total)

Are you in the US? if so I would contact the State Dept. to see if it even safe to go there. ISIS is fighting there.
posted by patnok at 5:43 PM on July 9, 2017

I'm an American woman. I felt totally fine in Manila in my normal clothes. (And Manila is not where ISIS is fighting) We spent some time in a more remote part of Cebu as well, and I similarly felt fine in my usual wear. But that area catered to tourists so YMMV - do you know anyone familiar with that rural area you could ask?

It was super hot and humid while we were there in May. I couldn't have managed long jeans. Not sure what it's like in December.
posted by olinerd at 5:48 PM on July 9, 2017 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Yes, I'm in the US; we are avoiding the area where ISIS is fighting.

olinerd, do you mind expanding on what your normal clothes are? For reference, I wear jean shorts and tank tops in the summer, jeans and t-shirts in the winter.
posted by Ms Vegetable at 5:52 PM on July 9, 2017

Best answer: I've been in January and it was hot - probably well into the 80s most days. It will be too hot for jeans, unless you get some unusual weather or go up to higher elevations. I haven't been anywhere rural, just to Manila and to the beach, but everyone was dressed pretty much like Americans would be for their daily lives in a city or in a beach town. I mostly wore shorts or denim skirts and nice t-shirts day-to-day and dresses for events/going out. You don't need to worry about covering up knees and shoulders in Manila unless you're planning to tour religious sites. I'm not sure about rural areas, but I can't imagine there's a strict dress code unless you're going somewhere super religious (and probably not even then).
posted by snaw at 6:08 PM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

A lot of it won't apply to you, but the packing list the Peace Corps provides may be helpful as a general guide to what might be appropriate clothing for work settings in that country (e.g., length of shorts; types of shirts).
posted by Dip Flash at 7:12 PM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: We were there this year in February visiting family and it was pretty consistently in the 80s with varying levels of humidity (but nothing really crazy compared to when I went in July and thought I was going to sweat until I died). Unless you're going to a church I wouldn't worry about keeping shoulders or knees covered. Most Filipinos will be wearing jeans or shorts and tshirts. Your standard attire sounds fine though keep in mind the AC will be cranked indoors so you'll want to be prepared. I split time between flip flops and walking shoes depending on what the plan was for the day, though I'm pretty cavalier about getting my feet dirty. If that will bother you then just stick to closed toe shoes.

My advice for more rural areas depends mostly on what you're doing but I tended to go with more classic tropical stuff like linen pants and cotton shirts since you don't know what the cooling situation will be like. No one would look twice at shirts and tanks. Have fun and memail if you want Manila recs!
posted by brilliantine at 8:29 PM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Best answer: Yeah, shorts and t-shirts, skirts and tank tops, or sundresses were all fine.
posted by olinerd at 9:27 PM on July 9, 2017 [1 favorite]

Consider light long pants and long sleeves shirts or cardigans for mosquito protection. They can carry some nasty diseases in Southeast Asia.
posted by hyperion at 3:56 AM on July 10, 2017 [1 favorite]