What to Wear in Bali?

When it comes to tropical islands with the richest tourist resources, you will definitely think of Bali Island! Known as the Island of Paradise, Bali Island has a variety of landforms, including mountains and coasts, which can fully meet the different travel needs of different tourists.

If you want to experience the tropical scenery to the fullest, then Bali Island is definitely a choice you won’t regret! In addition to beautiful natural scenery, Bali Island also has rich historical and cultural heritages and unique folk customs and costumes, which will broaden your horizons! Whether you prefer to wear your own clothes when traveling in Bali Island or try out the local costumes, this blog will be your fashion guide for your trip to Bali Island!

The Climate Characteristics and Tourist Peak Seasons in Bali Island

Located between 8 and 9 degrees south latitude, Bali Island is a very typical tropical island with a tropical rainforest climate that is hot and humid all year round. Although there is some daily temperature variation, it is not significant. Even at the coolest period at night, the temperature is generally above 25 degrees Celsius.

Bali Island has abundant rainfall, with annual rainfall exceeding 1,500 mm. Bali Island's rainy season is from October to March of the next year. During this period, rainfall is heavy and frequent. The air humidity is also relatively high, with an average humidity of over 80%. Excessive rainfall may even trigger natural disasters such as floods, which tourists need to pay special attention to.

The rainy season is the off-season for tourism in Bali Island because of heavy rainfall, inconvenient travel and gloomy weather, making it difficult for tourists to fully experience the tropical scenery. Conversely, the dry season from April to September is the peak travel season in Bali Island. During this period, there is less rainfall, the air is fresh, and the nights are cool, making it a very suitable period for a vacation. June to August is the busiest period. In addition, some holidays are also considered peak tourist seasons.

When traveling to Bali Island, the following famous attractions should not be missed:

🌴Tanah Lot Temple. This temple, built in the 16th century, is one of the six major temples in Bali Island and is used to worship the sea god. When the tide is high, the road connecting the temple to the land will be submerged by seawater by sea water and completely isolated from the land. It stands alone in the sea water, like a fairyland. When the tide is low, it can be connected to the land through the beach.

🌴Kuta Beach. This is the closest beach to the airport in Bali Island, so it will be the first choice for many tourists. The sand here is soft, and the sea water is clear and blue. Here the wind is strong and the waves are turbulent, so it is not suitable for rafting or swimming, but it is a very good choice for surfing enthusiasts who like excitement and challenges.

🌴Ubud Palace. Before the 1940s, this was where the royal family lived. Although not big in size, its architectural style is exquisite and unique, integrating traditional Bali Islandnese architectural art and cultural elements.

What Are the Local Costumes in Bali Island?

Now the travel photography industry is gradually emerging and growing, providing great chances for tourists to try on local costumes and immerse themselves in the local customs and culture. Changing clothes two or three times a day is seen as commonplace for Bali Islandnese, and this is not for keeping clean but for dressing codes of different occasions. There are strict dress requirements for temples, government offices and work, so locals have to change their attire quite often. So what are the local costumes that worth trying in Bali Island?

🌴Kebaya. It is usually made of tulle or silk, with delicate embroidery and lace decoration, tailored to show the curves of women's figures, often with stand-up collar or lapels. The white kebaya as a symbol of purity is usually worn to the temple or praying, while the black kebaya is worn for the Ngaben (death ceremony) as a symbol of mourning.

🌴Sarong. The sarong is usually worn as a bottom garment to go with the kebaya. It is a rectangular piece of cloth, usually made of cotton, silk, or linen, that comes in bright colors and patterns and may have tassels or lace trim along the edges. Tourists who want to visit Bali Island's famous temples also need a sarong. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to enter the shrine.

🌴Songket. Strictly speaking, this is a kind of fabric rather than a kind of clothing. It is a traditional Indonesian brocade, usually woven with gold or silver threads, with exquisite patterns and gorgeous colors. It can be used to make robes, skirts, tops, etc. Clothes made of this brocade are generally used on grand occasions such as weddings and festivals. It is one of the best choice for Bali Islandnese women to show their elegant temperament.

What to Wear in Different Tourist Attractions?

There are many tourist attractions in Bali Island, including both natural and cultural landscapes. When visiting tourist attractions of different styles, your dress and outfits should naturally be different.

Except for beaches, Bali Island is not very tolerant of overly revealing clothing. Especially when visiting various religious sites such as temples, the look needs to be dignified and appropriate, and revealing clothing is completely unacceptable. And as mentioned above, many temples require visitors to wear a sarong before entering. Some temples would provide, but you can also prepare one yourself in advance. And if you are invited to a formal and grand event such as a wedding or celebration, do not wear overly casual or sloppy clothing. Your clothing should reflect respect for local customs and respect for the other people present. Therefore, on these occasions, it is better to choose to follow the local customs and wear local costumes. You can wear a kebaya as a top and a sarong as a bottom, or a songket dress. This respects the local folk customs and is more in line with the atmosphere of the environment.

If you are going to the beach, you can prepare a set of bikini. This is completely fine at the beach. But if you don't like this hot and sexy style, you can also choose an elegant chiffon dress. However, if you would like to participate in surfing activities, a swimsuit is a must. In addition, you need to bring towels and necessary life-saving equipment. Or, if you prefer a more casual style, you can wear an oversized printed T-shirt and shorts.

When visiting cultural attractions with rich historical and cultural heritage such as the Ubud Palace, you can wear a simple or retro outfit. You can wear a pair of linen wide leg pants and a square neck shirt, or opt for a dress with ruffles to accentuate your elegance. Clothing that is too tight, tattered, or with offensive graphics and text should be avoided.

Accessories that Can Enhance Your Look

The most important accessory you need is probably a wide-brimmed hat. If you go to Bali Island during the peak tourist season, there will be less rain and more sunshine. If you don't wear a hat, you are likely to get sunburned. A wide-brimmed sun hat can effectively block the sun and protect your face and neck from UV damage. At the same time, a wide-brimmed hat is also a good tool to complement your beach look. If you are taking photos at the beach wearing an elegant chiffon dress, then it is suggested that you wear a straw hat decorated with flowers. And if you are wearing colorful printed T-shirt and shorts, then pair them with a baseball cap.

Some jewelry with tropical or marine elements is the perfect choice! For example, you could choose a necklace with a shell or coconut pendant. A rattan bracelet can also add an enthusiastic and vacation vibe to your look.

Bags are also a must when traveling. After all, you always have things like mobile phones, umbrellas, wallets, etc. that you need to carry with you. Abandon that small fancy clutch you carry to a dinner party! It may look pretty, but it's useless for traveling. Instead, choose a tote bag or a cross body bag with large volume.

A pair of soft-soled sandals is probably the best shoe to bring to Bali. Because this pair of shoes can meet almost all your needs. Whether you are walking on the beach or hiking or mountaineering for a long time, a pair of soft-soled sandals will not make you feel tired easily.

In terms of other accessories, firstly you may wear a pair of sunglasses. Although you may no longer need a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes and face from the sun if you already carry an umbrella and a hat, the optimization effect of sunglasses on your look cannot be replaced by a hat and an umbrella. In addition, if there’s still enough space, take a silk scarf. On the one hand, it can be used as a shawl at the beach to protect you against the sea breeze. On the other hand, a colorful silk scarf can also be used as a prop for taking photos.