Page 45 - The Stans of Central Asia: Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan

Dress Codes & Style Hints

• Dress on our trip is functional and casual. You might want to bring one slightly dressier
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completely up to you.

• If you want to blend in, opt for modest dress. Locals tend to wear long skirts or trousers
instead of shorts, so you’ll be less conspicuous if you do the same. If you absolutely
cannot do without shorts, they should be at least knee-length. A short-sleeve top with a
modest neckline is also considered a more appropriate choice than sleeveless tops.

• Modest clothing is especially important at religious sites and homes. In mosques,
orthodox churches, and homes the expectation is that you will cover your shoulders and
cover your legs—at least to the knees. Some mosques may hand you a wrap and ask
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may wish to bring a couple extra pairs of socks for these occasions.

• Headscarves are not required, but a scarf may be useful on occasion. Female travelers
will not be expected to wear a headscarf on a daily basis, but may be asked to cover their
hair as a sign of respect in a mosque or an orthodox church. If that happens, you can
usually rent or borrow one from the mosque/church. Or consider bringing a large scarf
from home that can double as an accessory or a wrap for chilly evenings. (That way
you’ll get more use out of it.)

What to Bring

We have included suggestions from Trip Leaders and former travelers to help you pack. These
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requirements. You may also want to consult the “Climate” chapter of this handbook.

Recommended Clothing
T Shirts: A mixture of short and long-sleeved shirts in a breathable fabric.

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through long bus rides.

T Travel skirt: Female travelers can wear trousers or jeans on this trip without any issue.
But if you like to wear skirts, please know that knee-length or longer is best.

T Shoes and socks: Shoes should be comfortable with good arch support and good
traction. Some types of shoes that would be good choices are running shoes, trekking
shoes, or light hiking boots. It is common practice to remove your shoes in mosques
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perhaps bring a couple extra pairs of socks.

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