What to Wear in Jordan in 2022 (That Isn’t Ugly)

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Wondering what to wear in Jordan that won’t make you look like a potato? I’ve got you covered. From knowing how to stay respectful to looking cute and feeling good, I’ve got you covered.

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 sleeve stripy top? 

I’m alright, thanks. 

So that’s what led me to write this post. When I booked my trip to Jordan, I needed to know what to wear that wasn’t frumpy, ugly and made me want to hide from my camera lens. 

I start off with the basics, which might be as far as you need to go. For example, what’s acceptable, what’s not, and how you can still dress 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.

Pssst… I’ve planned the most EPIC Jordan trip. You can check it out here!

Road tripping Jordan? I recommend using this company to find the cheapest car rentals and easiest user experience!

What to wear in Jordan: General rules for women 

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.

Of course, 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:

• Wear loose-fitting clothes. Turning up in a tight dress isn’t going to feel good when you see everyone around you dressing modestly.
• Make sure your shoulders are covered. The rest of your arms on show is fine. Leave the bandeau tops at home.
• Wear bottoms that cover your knees. Long flowy dresses are perfect. 
• If you have a dress that shows a lot of your back or bra strap, just wear a thin top underneath. 
• Your chest can be on show, but just not too low cut. Milkmaid dresses are perfect. 

The golden rule: 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. 

I recommend using this comparison site to book your flights to Jordan!

🚰 The tap water in Jordan isn’t safe to drink, so I used my filter water bottle pretty much every day to keep myself hydrated. I take it everywhere with me, and it works in every country where you can’t drink tap water! You can grab yours here.

What to wear in Petra

Before I visited Jordan, I saw a lot of posts saying you could wear whatever you wanted in Petra. 

It’s a tourist area, so bring out the miniskirts and Western clothes.

After visiting Petra, I disagree with this.

Like I said before, no one is going to tell you off. But it’s about showing respect for being in another culture. 

I did see some young-ish girls wearing gym leggings and crop tops, which of course, they are entitled to do, but it did look a bit uncomfortable with everyone else wearing more covered clothing.

It’s definitely more lenient in Petra, but I stuck with my golden rule again and wore flowy dresses 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”4ft we had enough already!) for my clothing choices. 

Check out my detailed Petra guide here.

I recommend this hotel if you’re staying in Petra for the first time!

What to wear in Amman

🇯🇴 If you’re going to be swimming in the Dead Sea, I’d recommend getting a Syncwire Waterproof Case. I’ve had mine for a few years and I’m able to swim underwater, take photos and videos and keep my belongings safe when I’m in the water!

Again, I saw Facebook posts saying Amman was relaxed with clothes. I felt the exact opposite!

Being a busy city, Amman was full of locals who dress modestly, and I didn’t want to feel uncomfortable with my legs or cleavage out. 

I dressed modestly in Amman just like everywhere else. 

It really depends on what type of person you are, and if you’re like me (wanting as little attention directed to me as possible), you’ll stick to covering up (but still looking cute). 

🏛️ You need to make sure you have enough time to enjoy Petra, the Dead Sea and Aqaba. This tour takes 3 days from Amman so you can make sure you experience each area properly!

I recommend this hostel if you’re staying in Amman for the first time as a backpacker!

What to wear in Wadi Rum

Wadi Rum is a hugeeee desert in southern Jordan. 

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 and westerners. 

In the resort restaurant for breakfast and dinner, I definitely didn’t worry as much as being out in public. I wore a dress with most of my back out, and others wore similar. 

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 but flowy and long to stay cool in the desert heat!

Strangely, I found wearing the flowy dresses to be way cooler than when I wear denim shorts and bikini tops? I think it must be something to do with how my body was regulating the heat with less skin showing. I think I’ll do it more often!

I recommend this bubble tent if you’re staying in Wadi Rum for the first time!

What if I don’t like wearing dresses?

Like I said, these dresses and clothes like this can be bought anywhere to wear in Jordan.

I spent a few hours on ASOS before we left looking at midi and maxi dresses ordered 6 of these and I was sorted for the week. 

If you’re not a dress person, flowy trousers (like linen pants), matched with a bodysuit and scarf are a great choice. 

Maxi or midi skirts are great, I’d just avoid them being tight or bodycon. You’ll attract way too much unnecessary attention and you’ll feel uncomfortable. 

As a woman, I’d avoid shorts altogether in the Middle East. It’s hard to get shorts that are longer than knee length that is going to make you feel nice/cute, so it’s worth investing in some flowy trousers or skirts.

TOP TIP: If you normally wear tight clothes, layer up. 

Use scarfs or 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!

Not sure whether or not to hire a car Jordan? Check out my guide to driving in Jordan here!

🇯🇴 My Jordan must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos?  📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)

What to wear in Jordan: Men

Things are pretty different when it comes to knowing what to wear in Jordan as a man. 

Tom wore clothes he would wear anywhere else in the world.

This includes whilst he was in Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum and any local villages. 

Avoid vest tops (Tom wouldn’t wear these anyway) but I didn’t see any other men wearing vest tops during our entire trip.

Stick to…

• T-shirts
• Shirts
• Shorts (any length)
• Jeans 

Simple!

If you’re visiting Jordan, you’ll need to purchase a visa before arrival. The easiest and cheapest way to do this is by buying a Jordan Pass. I’ve written a guide explaining this here!

🔌 Whilst you won’t want to be glued to your phone whilst travelling Jordan, I highly recommend carrying a power bank. Losing battery whilst driving in the Middle East and not having a map would not be ideal! It also gets super hot so your battery will drain faster than normal. I use this power bank, and it’s not let me down yet! It easily lasts for a whole week trip!

What colours should I wear in Jordan? 

Ok, this is totally aesthetic and if you’re looking for some banging Instagram photos.

I repeat, this is not a rule (whatsoever). Just me wanting to help you out with looking extra cute.

Want to get those Instagram shots of the Treasury or in the desert? You can make your photos pop with matching your clothes to the scenery.

This doesn’t require a lot of thought, and it’s more about sticking to a colour palette. 

• Wear Earth tones (see pictures below) with a lean on warmer colours. These complement your surroundings and make you pop in photos. 

• Stick to neutral colours. Beige, white, cream all look amazing against a dusty 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 mean, you do you, but plain against these dusty backdrops will always look nicer. I took a white floral dress and didn’t like wearing it as I felt it just didn’t ‘go’. I know what I mean, even if you don’t. 

Make sure you know the tipping etiquette in Jordan before visiting. You don’t want to go upsetting anyone! I’ve written a guide to tipping in Jordan here.

FAQS: What to wear in Jordan

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).

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 (ie your cleavage). 

If you’re visiting Jordan, chances are you’ll check out one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the ancient lost city of Petra. I’ve written a guide to help you prepare for your first visit to Petra here!

Make sure you pack water in an insulated water bottle for Jordan. It gets HOT, and you don’t want to be stuck without one! You can fill your Chilly one up at the hotel and it will stay cold for at least 24 hours after (even in the Wadi Rum desert!)

What is the dress code in Jordan?

Like I said, if you don’t dress moderately, you’re not going to get ‘told off’. But Jordan is a conservative country, and when you are travelling and visiting other countries, you should be respectful of their culture.

Cover up and follow the golden rule of covering your shoulders and legs (at least down to your knees). 

🗺️ My Jordan must-have: Well, it’s a little more advanced, but if you want to take high-quality photos, make sure you invest in a good camera. This doesn’t have to be thousands of pounds, and our favourite is the Canon EOS 6D Mark II.

Do I need to wear a hijab in Jordan?

If you do not wear a hijab for religious or personal reasons already, there is no need for you to wear a hijab or cover in Jordan.

Jordan is fairly liberal compared to some of its neighbouring countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.

🗺️ My Jordan must-have: Don’t forget an additional memory card and hard drive for saving your photos on the road!

Can I wear short sleeves in Jordan?

Absolutely. As long as your shoulders are covered (ie. no bandeau tops or off the shoulder dresses), you can wear short sleeves.

Almost every westerner (including myself) was in short-sleeved tops due to the extreme heat. This is totally fine.

I practically lived in these black gym leggings for our trip as they were super comfortable, and didn’t show too much skin. Make sure you’re covered up!

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!

Renting a car in Jordan? Don’t forget a car phone holder! You’ll rarely be given one, and you can then pop it in your backpack to use in any country in the world. We’ve had ours for years and have used it countless times for GPS!

Can you wear dresses in Jordan?

Absolutely! 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.

🗺️ My world travel must-have: Whilst out during the day, I use a tote bag to hold my belongings like my camera, notebook, purse and Microfibre towel. It’s easier to pack away than a big beach bag, and can be neatly tucked away when you don’t need it!

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 definitely more liberal, and you’ll find a mix of men wearing thobes (traditional ankle-length robes) and western clothes. 

🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.

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!
• Tipping in Jordan: Everything You Need To Know
• Driving in Jordan: The Ultimate Car Hire Guide
• Jordan 7 Day Itinerary: A Perfect Trip to the Middle East
• Is Petra Worth Visiting? A Must-Read Before You Go!

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