My observations on what to wear in South Africa are based on just one trip which was about 10 days long. I spent most of my time in Durban and on a private game reserve. But I do have pictures to share of what I saw women wearing in South Africa. I wore trousers, jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless shirts and an occasional short dress. There was no problem at all with anyone of it.
Skirt and tops are very commonly worn throughout South Africa. It seems to be part of the local culture. I saw people wearing it at conference venue as well as the local flea market. So you can’t go wrong with it. The skirts were usually around knee length.
My Lovely Guide
You can get a better idea about the length of skirt I commonly saw in South Africa. By the way this is my lovely guide who took us to Moses Mabhida Stadium and Phoenix Settlement. She joined us for dinner as well. We discussed age, marriage and what not and it was fun.
Trousers and Shirt, Durban, South Africa
As it is common in so many parts of the world shirt and trousers and any such combination like jeans and t-shirt work absolutely fine. As it was start of winter in South Africa when I visited in May, the majority could be seen dressed like this.
Short Dress, Durban, South Africa
It is fine if you wish to wear that short dress. It does not attract attention but I was in Durban which is a big city. I say do pack it but see how others are dressed and then take a call. I did wear a short dress in one of the hotels and it was fine, no one gave me a second glance!
Beach Wear, Durban, South Africa
It was the beach that confused me a bit. I saw a lot more women in bikini in Sri Lanka than in Durban. It could be the weather as it was start of the winter. But I really don’t know.
Women at the Beach, Durban, South Africa
As the beach is quite close to hotels and other establishments I thought a lot of people just walked up to it, rather than going there to spend the whole day.
Overall I thought South Africa was quite easy as far as the clothes you could wear. My pictures do no justice, but South Africans have a great sense of dressing up. They can carry really bright colors, colors that would make anyone else look weird. Men can carry pink shoes in South Africa without looking odd. But then this post is about dress code for women in South Africa.
FAQs
In South Africa the dress code is generally casual (denims, t-shirts, skirts etc.)
Can you show your shoulders in South Africa? ›
It's especially important to cover your arms and legs in North African countries like Morocco and Egypt. In big cities like Cape Town in South Africa, it's okay to dress more 'westernised' and just cover your shoulders and thighs.
Can I wear black in South Africa? ›
You should also avoid the colours of blue, black, and some people say white, as these colours seem to attract the tsetse fly. (You may see tsetse fly traps on your game drive which are coloured with blue and black stripes to attract them!)
Does South Africa have a dress code? ›
Dress codes
Casual clothes are the rule. Smart casual would be the exception. Only in major cities and the more civilised areas of South Africa would anything more formal be appropriate, although we have felt completely comfortable in regular casual clothes even in the fine dining establishments of the Cape.
Can you wear sneakers on safari? ›
So we strongly suggest that that you invest in safari footwear for your trip. Try and get a pair of shoes or boots is high quality, preferably waterproof and that protect the ankles. Some pair of quality sneakers should do.
Can you wear white in South Africa? ›
White stands out more than any other colour in the African bush and so isn't suitable for safari activities. That said, slipping into a white shirt for dinner in the evening is a great feeling.
What can you not wear on a safari in South Africa? ›
Leave camo, cotton, and colour Your clothing colour is important on safari. Camouflage clothing is illegal in some African countries and bright colours, black, and white should be avoided unless around the lodge. Dark colours also tend to be more attractive to insects.
Can you wear blue on safari? ›
Dark colours attract Tsetse flies, so stay away from dark blue or black clothing – they have a painful bite!
What is South Africa's etiquette? ›
It is polite to cover your mouth when you yawn. It is rude to spit in public. Show heightened respect to anyone older than you in all situations. It is common to tip about 10% of bills in South Africa, and tips are usually not included in the overall bill.
Can I wear jewelry in South Africa? ›
Wearing jewelry or designer clothing and taking your phone/camera out in public are all great ways to become a target. Bringing expensive jewelry on vacation is not advisable in the first place, but if you do have pricey things like a camera, keep them hidden. And never keep your passport on you.
You can wear any kind of shirts, t-shirts, shorts, leggings, even blue jeans if that's what you want! It's good to have a fleece because early mornings and late evenings are chilly.
Can I wear grey on safari? ›
Avoid camouflage clothing, as some African nations reserve that for the military. But good colour choices include earthy tones and neutrals like brown, khaki and grey. You probably want to avoid white, cream and other light colours as they'll show up any dust and dirt.
Should you wear jewelry on safari? ›
Leave your fancy bling at home. Packing a sport's watch, simple earrings and possibly a necklace are all the jewels you will need on safari. Use this as an excuse to buy some of the locally made jewelry and wear that while you're in Africa.
What food is South Africa known for? ›
Traditional South African Dishes
- Bobotie. Considered by many to be the South African national dish, Bobotie (pronounced ba-bo-tea) is a meat-based dish and one of the most well-known examples of Cape Malay cuisine. ...
- Boerewors. ...
- Biltong. ...
- Vetkoek. ...
- Potjiekos. ...
- Chakalaka and pap. ...
- Durban bunny chow. ...
- Malva pudding.
You can expect to find clothing prices slightly cheaper in South Africa than in Europe, Asia, and North America. A pair of mid-range jeans will set you back about R780, while a summer dress in a chain store costs about R500.
What is the standard for female beauty in Africa? ›
In African sculpture, the ideal female figure is often depicted as having a curvaceous body with wide hips and full breasts. These features are seen as symbols of fertility, femininity and maternal strength.
Is South African culture generally female? ›
The answer is: It is dominated by men. Explanation: South Africa is known for its diversity of cultures, languages and beliefs. Inequalities between women and men persist throughout the world and even worsen in certain cases.
Can I wear crop tops in South Africa? ›
Overall, you could wear quite “standard” clothing. Even your shorts, flip-flops or crop tops if you want to. But keep in mind the weather and flies.
How do people dress in Cape Town? ›
A comfortable pair of jeans – the fashion in Cape Town is fairly laid back and chilled. If you go for a lovely dinner on the waterfront, you will be more suitably dressed in jeans and a nice top, instead of your fancy frocks (save these for evenings in the hotel).
