What to Wear in Jordan in 2023 (That Isn’t Ugly)
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Wondering what to wear in Jordan that ISN’T too different to the clothes you already wear? I’ve got you covered.
From knowing how to stay respectful to feeling good on your Middle Eastern adventure, this blog post explains it all.
If you do a quick Google search of what to wear in Jordan, there’s a whole lot of information out there that isn’t very clear.
Or even worse, the clothes the posts tell you to wear are outrageously ugly.
Three-quarter lengths and a long-sleeved stripy top? I didn’t want to have to compromise the clothes I normally wear, and there just wasn’t any clear information out there!
When I booked my first trip to Jordan, I needed to know what to wear that wasn’t frumpy, or ugly and made me want to hide from my camera lens.
In this post, I start with what’s acceptable, what’s not, and how you can still dress in Jordan in your own style.
I’ll then dive into what you can wear in the major areas of Jordan, like Petra, Wadi Rum and Amman, and how they differ slightly.
But one thing I do promise; you will leave this page knowing you don’t have to wear ugly capri pants in Jordan.
Visiting Jordan for the first time? You might also like:
- Where to Stay in Amman: Easy Area Guide
- Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
- Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
- Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
General clothing rules in Jordan
Jordan is a predominantly Muslim country (with over 95% of all Jordanians practising the Islamic faith).
This means most women will be wearing some sort of covering, with hijabs, al-amiras and khimars being the most common.
You do not need to wear a face covering, hijab, al-amira or khimar in Jordan if you are a tourist. If you aren’t religious and don’t normally wear a covering, this is not expected of you.
So what do you wear in Jordan as a female? Here are some general pointers when shopping for a Jordan visit:
- Loose-fitting clothes. Turning up in a tight dress isn’t going to feel good when you see everyone around you dressing modestly, and it will also cause some staring and unwanted attention.
- Make sure your shoulders are covered. The rest of your arms on show is fine, so just focus on your shoulders being covered.
- Wear bottoms that cover your knees. Long flowy dresses or skirts are perfect.
- If you have a dress that shows a lot of your back or bra strap, wear a thin top underneath.
- Your chest can be on show, but just not too low-cut. Milkmaid dresses are perfect!
- Avoid all army/military-style type clothing.
🇯🇴 The golden rule of dressing in Jordan: Wear what you want, as long as your shoulders and legs (down to your knees) are covered. It’s more about respect for their culture and religion than a ‘hard and fast’ rule. No one’s going to ‘tell you off’, but you’re going to feel uncomfortable showing excess skin or your cleavage.
It’s also a level of respect that you can show the Jordanian locals, plus not causing too much unwanted attention.
General Jordan packing list
✅ If you are visiting Jordan for the first time, I recommend packing:
- Long sleeve tops
- Short sleeve tops (t-shirts)
- Long, loose-fitted trousers
- Flowy dresses and skirts (think sundresses, midi-skirts)
- Big scarves (to style your outfits)
- Comfortable shoes – either sandals or trainers
- Loose-fitting clothing that you feel comfortable in (especially in the heat)
- A hoody or jumper for the evenings, especially if you’re visiting during winter
- Swimwear (especially for the Dead Sea!)
- A beach cover up (a sarong or kimono)
- Your regular underwear/sports bras
- Hiking boots if you are planning on doing long trails in Wadi Rum
- A waterproof jacket, jeans and warmer clothes (if you’re visiting during winter)
And your regular items and toiletries such as sun cream, deodorant, travel towel and so on.
❌ Do NOT pack for Jordan:
- Revealing or tight denim shorts
- Hot pants/short shorts
- Tight dresses
- Tight skirts
- Low cut vests or tops (Milkmaid style necklines are perfect)
- Any combat/military-style clothing
- Revealing crop tops
What to wear in Jordan in summer
Jordan in the summer (June, July, August and September) is HOT, and you can expect most days to be at 38°C (100°F)!
Pack accordingly. Think about what you’d need to wear in this kind of heat, but make sure you’re covering up a little better than you would on a European beach.
I actually found I was cooler in long-sleeved dresses than when I wear bikini tops and denim shorts in most Westernised places.
Invest in a few lightweight and loose fitted dresses, trousers, tops and scarves. These types of clothes also protect you from the burning hot sun and prevent any damage your skin!
However, evenings will be cooler, so make sure you have a jumper or hoody to wrap up a little warmer, especially in places like the Wadi Rum desert.
What to wear in Jordan in winter
Jordan in the winter (December-February) is a lot cooler, and has an average temperature of 5°C to 15°C. If you’re visiting during this time, I recommend taking some thicker layers and hoodies to wrap up in and stay warm.
Places like Wadi Rum can become exceptionally windy, especially at night.
Pack lots of layers, cardigans and jumpers. Jeans are also totally acceptable in Jordan, altthough I personally wouldn’t wear overly revealing denim.
There is also the possibility of rain in Jordan in winter, so packing a waterproof jacket is a good idea! Warm up even further by carrying a loose scarf to drape over your shoulders.
Do I need to wear a hijab in Jordan?
If you do not wear a hijab for religious or personal reasons already, you do not need to wear a hijab or face covering in Jordan.
Jordan is relatively liberal compared to some of its neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
What to wear in Jordan: Petra
Before I visited Jordan, I saw a lot of posts saying you could ‘wear whatever you wanted’ in Petra. Posts that said because it’s a tourist, busy area, you can drop the dress code and wear any clothes you want.
After visiting Petra, I disagree with this. As I said before, no one is going to fine you for dressing inappropriately. But it’s about showing respect for being in another culture.
I did see some other backpackers and tourists wearing tight gym leggings and crop tops with a lot of skin on show. Technically, this is allowed. But it did look a bit uncomfortable and disrespectful considering pretty much everyone else in Petra was wearing modest clothing.
Clothing styles are more lenient in Petra, but I still stuck with my golden rule and wore a flowy dress which covered my shoulders and legs.
That way, I didn’t feel like I had any extra eyes on me (being blonde and my boyfriend 6”5ft we had enough already!) for my clothing choices.
Visiting Petra? You can check out my detailed Petra guide here.
What to wear in Jordan: Amman (the Capital City)
Again, I saw Facebook posts saying Amman was relaxed with clothes, but I felt the exact opposite! Being a busy capital city, Amman was full of locals who dress modestly, and I didn’t want to feel uncomfortable with my legs or chest out.
I dressed modestly in Amman just like everywhere else.
It depends on what type of person you are, but if you’re like me (wanting as little attention directed to me as possible), you’ll stick to covering up in flowy dresses, skirts or modest clothing that make you feel good.
Staying in Amman? Check out my full guide on where to stay here.
What to wear in Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is the biggest desert in southern Jordan, full of red sand dunes and space-like looking rocks that make you feel like you’re walking on Mars.
If you choose to stay in Wadi Rum, you’ll most likely be in a ‘resort’, like a bubble dome or tent. This means the majority of people you will meet will be tourists.
In your Wadi Rum resort, you can wear clothes that are a little less modest than in areas like Amman and Petra. I didn’t worry as much when in the resort as I did when I was in public in Jordan.
However, when we did the 4×4 tour and ventured out to meet the Bedouin locals, I did wear a dress that followed my golden rule.
Shoulders covered, no excess skin out, and flowy, long dresses or skirts to stay cool in the desert heat!
Strangely, I found wearing flowy dresses to be cooler than a crop top and denim shorts. It could have been because the heat in the desert was so dry, but wearing long sleeves wasn’t too uncomfortable.
Visiting Wadi Rum for the first time? Check out my detailed bubble tent guide explaining where to stay!
What if I don’t like wearing dresses or skirts?
You can wear whatever you want in Jordan as a tourist, as long as your shoulders and knees are covered.
If you’re not a dress person, flowy trousers or linen pants, matched with a bodysuit and scarf are a great choice. I often covered my shoulders with a scarf instead of a sleeved top.
Maxi or midi skirts are great, but just avoid them being tight or bodycon. You’ll attract too much unnecessary attention and you’ll feel uncomfortable.
As a woman, I’d avoid denim shorts in the Middle East. Unless they’re past knee length, you’re going to stand out in denim hot pants and cause a lot of attention.
TOP TIP: If you normally wear tight clothes, layer up. Use scarves and loose baggy shirts to wrap around you. I often wore bodysuits with loose-fitted pants matched with a big scarf. Not only does this keep you covered, but it looks pretty nice too!
What to wear in Jordan: Men
Things are pretty different when it comes to knowing what to wear in Jordan as a man.
Tom, my partner, wore clothes he would wear anywhere else in the world. The only difference may be to avoid wearing any vest tops.
As men regularly cover their shoulders with t-shirts, it wasn’t too much of a change for him to dress in Jordan.
Stick to…
- T-shirts
- Shirts
- Shorts (any length)
- Jeans
- Trainers/flip-flops
To summarise, male tourists do not need to cover any extra parts of their body in Jordan.
What colours should I wear in Jordan?
When talking about what colours to wear in Jordan, it’s more about how you want to look rather than how you should look because of the culture.
If you want to match your outfit to the surroundings in Jordan, I recommend sticking to the following colour palettes.
- Earth tones (see pictures below) with a lean on warmer colours. These complement your surroundings and make your clothes pop in photos.
- Stick to neutral colours. Beige, white, and cream all look amazing against a dusty desert backdrop.
- Dark reds, maroons, khaki and dusty orange are perfect for photos where you want to stand out. The classic Petra shot or on a viewpoint in the desert.
- Avoid floral/vibrant patterns/stripes. I took a white floral dress and didn’t like wearing it as I felt it just didn’t ‘go’. But, this can vary per item of clothing.
FAQS: What to wear in Jordan
1) What should tourists wear in Jordan?
When planning what to wear in Jordan, just stick to the golden rule of covering your shoulders and legs (at least down to your knees).
Tourists do not need to wear a face covering, hijab, al-amira or khimar in Jordan. If you aren’t religious and don’t normally wear a covering, this is not expected of you.
Floaty dresses, flowy trousers and modest clothing are best. Your forearms and calves are ok to be on show, but avoid large parts of your chest.
2) What is the dress code in Jordan?
Jordan is a conservative country, but there is no formal dress code. Dress moderately with respect for their culture and predominant Islamic religion. For women, shoulders and knees should be covered. For men, regular clothes will suffice, but vest tops should be avoided.
3) Can I wear short sleeves in Jordan?
Yes. As long as your shoulders are covered (ie. no bandeau tops or off-the-shoulder dresses), you can wear short sleeves. Almost every Western tourist (including myself) was in short-sleeved tops due to the extreme heat. This is fine.
4) Can you wear jeans in Jordan?
Definitely! Jeans are perfect for covering up, although I wouldn’t want to attract any unnecessary attention by wearing jeans that were tight around my bum. But that’s just personal preference!
5) Can you wear dresses in Jordan?
Yes. If anything, this is what I would recommend the most. I wore flowy/floaty dresses every day and never felt uncomfortable, as I was always covering my shoulders/legs down to my knees. They also help to stay cool in the hot weather.
6) How do Jordanians dress?
Over 95% of people in Jordan are Muslim and follow a modest and conservative dress code. Women generally wear a hijab, al-amira or khimar, with loose-fitted clothing.
Men are more liberal, and you’ll find a mix of men wearing thobes (traditional ankle-length robes) and Western clothes. There is no specific Jordan dress code, but people dress according to their religion and culture.
Top tips for visiting Jordan for the first time
🚗 Driving in Jordan is easy, but driving in Amman can be hectic. Unless you are a confident driver, I recommend leaving your hire car at the airport and taking a taxi into the city. We did drive in Amman, and found it to be ok; we just hit a lot of traffic! If you’re unsure, I’ve written a driving in Jordan guide to help you.
🇯🇴 Jordan is an Islamic country, and it’s important to dress respectfully when visiting. Even if you’re in a more ‘westernised’ area, it doesn’t hurt to still wear clothes that would be acceptable anywhere else in the country.
💻 Wifi isn’t always widely available in Jordan, although it is improving. I recommend either buying a local SIM card or buying an eSIM. ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchase. You can check out Jordan eSIMs here!
🗣️ Jordan’s main language is Arabic, but most people will speak basic English. We had no problem talking and communicating with the Amman locals!
💰Currency in Jordan is the Jordanian Dollar (JD). It currently has a similar exchange rate to GBP. This makes it easy to convert quickly!
💦 The tap water in Jordan isn’t safe to drink, so I used my filter water bottle to keep myself hydrated. This specific bottle can be used all over the world in water that isn’t suitable to drink without filtering.
Where to stay if you’re visiting Jordan for the first time
If you’re travelling around Jordan for the first time, these are some of the best hotels and hostels.
🇯🇴 AMMAN
- Hotel: W Amman: for a 5* hotel in Shmeisani, within walking distance of all of the best attractions ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!
- Hostel: Nomads Hostel (Jabal Amman) For backpackers and solo travellers in Amman ➡ BOOK AND READ THE REVIEWS NOW
🇯🇴 WADI RUM
- Bubble dome: UFO Luxotel has classic bubble dome rooms, with views overlooking the desert. ➡ BOOK AND READ REVIEWS NOW
- Traditional Bedouin tent: Wadi Rum Desert Adventures is one of the most popular authentic desert camps in Wadi Rum. ➡ BOOK AND READ REVIEWS NOW
🇯🇴 PETRA
- Hotel: Petra Sky Hotel: A hotel close to Petra’s entrance that’s cheap, includes breakfast and has a decent-sized room.
- Hostel: Petra Boxtel Hostel: for backpackers and solo travellers. ➡ BOOK AND READ REVIEWS NOW
What to wear in Jordan: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! A comprehensive list of what to wear in Jordan (and what to avoid). Just follow the golden rule, buy clothes that you feel good in, feel comfortable in, and are respectful!
I hope this has helped a little bit, and has shown you that not everything you wear in Jordan has to be ugly or frumpy (and oh my gosh there’s a lot of that on the Internet).
Have a question about what to wear in Jordan? Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 🙂 x
Visiting Jordan? Check out my other posts below:
- Is The Jordan Pass Worth It? A Must-Read Before Purchasing!
- Where to Stay in Amman: Easy Area Guide
- Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
Appreciate your post! I’ve been on a dress buying bender for the trip, but was also wondering what my 18 year old son could wear so thanks for posting male & female tips. I’m getting so excited for our adventure!
Yay! So exciting. I hope you have the best time!
Great Post! You are sharing a wonderful post. Thanks and keep sharing.