What to Wear in Pakistan

A complete guide on what to wear in Pakistan- for both female and male travelers alike!

So you’ve decided to visit Pakistan! Sweeeeet- you just signed up for one of the best travel experiences of your life, in my humble opinion that is.

I’m sure you’ve heard a bit about how conservative the country is, and might be a bit confused as to what to pack while backpacking Pakistan. 

But fear not! This guide has all the deets on what’s acceptable (and most comfortable) in various parts of the country. So without further ado, here’s a complete guide on what to wear in Pakistan!

The Ultimate Guide on What to Wear in Pakistan

What to wear will depend a lot on your personal Pakistan itinerary. But overall, you’re going to have to be ok with being conservative.

But first… what NOT to wear in Pakistan

It’s no secret that Pakistan is a conservative country. Unlike neighboring India, tank tops, dresses, and shorts are a no-go even in liberal cities like Lahore and Islamabad.

While there’s no official law requiring any sort of dress (except for women to cover their heads in mosques) adhering to social norms and cultural values will not only keep staring to a minimum, but goes a long way with locals on the respect front.

Let’s start with what to pack for Pakistan for ladies. First off, the only time shorts are acceptable is in a private hotel room or other private room.

I did wear a pair of shorts as pajamas when it was boiling in the cities, but ONLY in complete privacy.

So even if you’re staying in someone’s home, leaving the guestroom in shorts is NOT a thing. Shorts anywhere else? VERY MUCH NOT A THING.

T-shirts are also not acceptable in general, (outside of posh major cities and Hunza, that is) and neither are any type of shirts that would show cleavage or too much body shape. The looser, the better!

As for jeans and leggings, the former is okay in liberal areas within Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi as well as backpacker haven Hunza Valley.

Nevertheless, if you’re headed to a highly populated market area or an Old City that might not necessarily be “liberal,” its best to leave those at home, too.

Leggings on their own are a huge no-go, BUT they are totally cool if worn under a long, dress-like shirt (khameez) that I’ll get into later.

Tank tops? LOL no, unless its underneath a shirt or worn whilst sleeping in private quarters.

Bathing suits? LMAO! If you do find yourself in a swimming situation, you’re definitely going to want to keep everything on. I swam in a river in Mingora and just kept my shalwar khameez and dupatta on. Men CAN go swimming shirtless however, even in conservative areas.

 

 

While men have less restrictions, that’s not to say there’s not any altogether. Short-sleeved shirts are common in cities, though they’ll generally make you stick out like a sore thumb save for trendy gatherings of 20-30 somethings.

Shorts are extremely rare for men to wear in Pakistan, and I honestly can’t recall seeing them anywhere besides a running park in upscale Lahore.

Jeans are relatively common amongst young guys in major cities (Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi) and won’t raise many eyebrows, though they’re far from the most comfortable/practical thing to wear in Pakistan.

Tank tops are definitely not acceptable for men either, unless you want to be stared at even more than females typically are, that is!

What TO wear in Pakistan for women

Two words: shalwar khameez, with the latter being essentially interchangeable with what’s known as a kurta.

What the heck are these, you might be wondering? Ya know, only the most incredibly comfortable socially acceptable clothing ever made. Here’s a little breakdown:

• Khameez: long, flowy dress-like top that usually comes down past the knees and sometimes to the ankles
• Kurta: same as a khameez, but often shorter whilst still covering your butt
• Shalwar: super loose, cinched at the waist pants that billow out at the legs and come together again at the ankles
• Dupatta: long matching scarf that comes with a tailored “three piece suit”

The shalwar khameez is hands down the MOST comfortable thing I’ve ever worn in my life.  Breathable, soft AF, quick to wash and dry, AND available in literally any color or pattern your heart  desires, this IS what to wear in Pakistan, hands down.

I can’t believe I spent 23 years of my life without this magical outfit that I now never want to change out of!

Though you CAN wear jeans and some type of westernized (cough overpriced cough) replica shirt, why bother? And though the shalwar khameez/kurta CAN be bought pre-made at one of Pakistan’s glitzy malls, those usually come with hefty price tags.

Here’s an example of what to wear in Pakistan according to one of the country’s most popular (and trendiest) stores!

Though the clothes at the mall are cute, your best (i.e. cheapest) bet is heading to a local market and getting one custom made.

When I first arrived here, I was so confused as to how everyone had this outfit that didn’t appear to be sold at any market… until I learned that 99.99% of people get theirs tailored, with literally any fabric of their choosing !

Tailored female fits generally go for 1000-1500 rupees depending, and you can get them to include pockets, too!

 

 

During my 118 days in Pakistan, I had three shalwar khameez “suits” which included three dupattas. Though I had leggings and whatnot in my backpack from prior months in India, I literally never used them, though I did see many foreign and domestic tourists alike wearing them in Gilgit Baltistan.

Before you’re able to get your hands on the most perfect outfit ever, I’d recommend arriving in a pair of loose pants and a long, shirt-like dress if possible.

Don’t break the bank on buying things to wear in Pakistan at home- just wear something on the plane/overland journey that could hold up for a day or so until you make it to the tailor!

It’s highly unlikely you’d need a dupatta in your first hours so unless you already had one at home, I wouldn’t recommend buying one before arriving as they’re so affordable and plentiful everywhere in Pakistan.

 

Tip: Linen is BY FAR the most comfortable material you can get. Inquire about stone linen in particular, as it takes comfort to a whole new level!

 

Do women have to cover their heads in Pakistan?

Unlike Iran, covering one’s head is NOT a requirement in Pakistan, BUT it definitely is recommended in certain places such as Peshawar and Swat Valley, where local women will be completely covered from head to toe.

Personally, I felt most comfortable wearing a hijab all throughout KPK and grew to love it. The one caveat to this is the relatively liberal Kalash Valley-a place where even alcohol is widely consumed!

Aside from showing respect to locals and keeping curious stares on the low, the hijab also does wonders for blending in, which is ideal if you’re trying to venture to places like the Kharkhano Market in Peshawar, for instance.

In liberal backpacker-friendly locales like Hunza Valley, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to use your dupatta at all, but its always useful to have one with you in case you come across a mosque you might want to check out or just want to protect your head/ears from cold!

What to wear in Pakistan for men

Men, your dress recs are just as comfy and easy as the ladies: none other than the shalwar khameez,  though the men’s edition is a bit different.

Unlike in India where 99.99% of men wear jeans and collared shirts, almost all  Pakistani men wear the much-loved shalwar khameez, which is very similar to the female version but a bit more fitted and unsurprisingly gifted with more pockets… and a collar!

 

Men’s’ shalwar pants might surprise you at first glance: they look like they’re made for an elephant’s waist! But that’s what the white looped string is for.

Men’s khameez are in one color and fitted but not TOO fitted. Though “wash and wear” aka pre-made exist, it’s highly recommended to pop into a tailor to get the best fit and price.

Prices range from 400-2000 rupees depending on material, insignias, and other additions. Though linen isn’t an option for men (truly sorry for that y’all), both cold and warm weather options DO exist.

Charles had a thicker khameez that boded well for our time in the north and two thin, lightweight ones for humid high-heat cities!

 

Read Next: How to trek to Rakaposhi Base Camp

 

What to wear in Pakistan: Miscellaneous

So we’ve covered pretty much everything BUT footwear is still up in the air. What ELSE should you pack for your trip to Pakistan?

Definitely, definitely comfortable and durable sandals like Tevas or something similar.

If you plan on doing any hiking or climbing as most travelers to Pakistan do, a good pair of hiking boots is also must! As for sneakers, I didn’t personally find a need for them, though if you’re keen on running you might.

It’s also essential to have a go-to way to get clean water while traveling in Pakistan. You can easily make any drinking water safe with a Water-To-Go filtered bottle. 

 

 

Sweaters and jackets are another must for travel to the Northern Areas- and can comfortably worn over any shalwar khameez. In case you don’t have a jacket, there are TONS of second-hand shops throughout GB that will meet all your warmth needs!

So there you have it y’all- everything you need to know about what to wear in Pakistan for both women AND men. As you can see it’s pretty dang easy AND as you’ll soon see, beyond comfortable to dress appropriately in PK! 

 

Though you could get away with jeans, why would you want to? Once you arrive, pop over to a market, grab your fave fabric and head straight to a tailor and you’ll be good to go! As always, let me know if you have any questions or comments below.