Basic Do's and Don'ts on What to Wear in Pangkor Island

Pangkor Island has turned into a huge tourism haven but with regards to clothing, people in the island still observe a particular code of conduct. Although Pangkor Island is multiethnic in nature, it still predominated by Muslims who don’t allow provocative clothes. So, if you are pondering on what to wear in Pangkor Island, here’s the answer. To be safe, try to attire yourself modestly, particularly in sacred and religious places.

The local people don’t expect foreign visitors to dress up with same clothing that they observe, but it is recommended to dress decently to avoid getting too much attention. Beachwear is accepted on beaches, yet you shouldn’t roam away from the beach or elsewhere in such attire. If you want to be certain, you can wear swimsuit on hotel pools, other than that, try not to expose loads of flesh in other places. Topless sunbathing is a no-no in Pangkor Island. When strolling through Pangkor town, keep your shoulders covered and don’t wear above-the-knee shorts. The island can be straight-laced in terms of clothing so make sure to pack a good amount of T-shirts, trousers and pants.

A lot of women might be confused on what to wear in Pangkor Island, especially for those unaware of the proper dress codes in Muslim countries. When packing clothes, bring a good amount of Capri pants, T-shirts, knee-length skirts and jacket during cold evenings. Short skirts, sleeveless tops, tiny tops and other skimpy clothes are not allowed to be worn on public places. When visiting temples like mosques, women are advised to cover their heads and wear conservative clothes. Of course, because of the scorching hot weather in Pangkor, you have to bring lightweight and comfortable clothes like three-fourths, jeans, pants, tunics, long skirts, tank tops and khaki shorts. When you’re in doubt, try to dress conservatively. When swimming, you can observe that most Malay women are extremely conservative and rarely sunbathe. They also wear T-shirts and shorts when swimming as opposed to bikinis or swimsuits.

Try cool and casual clothing that is not revealing when visiting the island. Bring a pair of shoes when going to religious places and local homes. You should also take off your shoes before entering. During a visit to government office, wear something formal because casual clothing is considered disrespectful. This isn’t a crime, really, but showing respect to other cultures is an important gesture, especially for foreigners who are visiting the place.

If you plan on what to wear in Pangkor Island during outdoor activities like sightseeing and trekking, choose loose and light clothes made from cotton fabric. Whether you are on an organized tour or opt to visit touristy spots, wearing comfortable shoes is a must. For breakfast buffet, you can still wear beachwear but you have to cover up with a T-shirt and short.

Indeed, planning on what to wear in Pangkor Island can be tough, but always think of comfort and decency when choosing clothes to wear. Other items like sarong, shawls, hats, insect repellant and sun block are available everywhere so there’s no need to think about these things.