What to Wear in Istanbul?

If you are interested in history, you will definitely be familiar with Istanbul. As the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, the Latin Empire and the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul was the largest and most prosperous city in Europe for nearly ten centuries. Today, Istanbul is still the economic, cultural, and transportation center of Türkiye, as well as a famous tourist city.

As a city that straddles Europe and Asia, the attractions in Istanbul not only have a long history, but also demonstrate a great deal of eclecticism. Whether you like wandering around bustling markets, magnificent natural scenery or historical cultural landscapes, Istanbul will meet all your needs. You will definitely be able to take your best photos at the magnificent Hagia Sophia and the beautiful Hyde Park! If you’re having a hard time choosing what to wear for your trip to Istanbul, or if you want to try out the local costumes but don’t know what the dress code is, this blog is for you!

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Istanbul?

Istanbul, located in the northwestern coastal area of Turkey, has a Mediterranean climate. The temperature in summer is high, sometimes even hot, with an average temperature of 25℃ - 32℃, and even 37℃ - 40.5℃ in extreme weather. Affected by the ocean, the temperature difference between day and night is relatively small, so even on summer nights, the temperature does not drop much, and you will not feel much cooler. However, since there is less precipitation in summer, the humidity is lower, so even if the temperature is high, it will not feel particularly stuffy.

The weather in winter is much milder. The average temperature is between 4℃ and 10℃. The extreme low temperature can occasionally reach around -10℃, but it usually does not last long. Due to the proximity to the ocean, the winter is relatively warm and not too cold. Precipitation becomes more frequent in winter compared to summer. So there may be wet and cold weather at times.

Also, it is important to note that Istanbul is windy. There are northeasterly winds all year round, with few windless days and about 30 days of strong winds each year.

To sum up, the best time to travel to Istanbul is from April to October every year. This period covers the spring, summer and autumn seasons. First of all, the precipitation is rare, which will not delay your outing. Secondly, the temperature is suitable in spring and autumn. Although the temperature in summer is high, it is not particularly unbearable under the regulation of the sea breeze.

Among them, spring is probably the most popular tourist season in Istanbul. In addition to the suitable climate, there is also a grand tulip festival in April. You can see countless blooming tulips competing with each other for beauty, making the whole city full of vitality and charming scenery. However, although winter is the off-season for tourism in Istanbul, it does not mean that there are no benefits to visiting here in winter. If you want to experience the tranquility and mystery of Istanbul and feel the beauty of the city in the snow, visiting in winter is also a good choice.

Dressing Codes and Speciality Costumes in Istanbul

The geographical location and cultural integration determine that Istanbul is relatively tolerant of clothing from different regions. But at the same time, Istanbul is also a city deeply influenced by religion. Therefore, when choosing clothes for travel, you still need to consider factors related to traditional culture and religion.

At all religious sites, from Hagia Sophia to the Blue Mosque, visitors are required to follow a series of strict dress codes. Both men and women are required to cover their shoulders and knees as well as taking off their shoes. Women are also required to wear a headscarf. Therefore, when visiting these religious sites, you need to avoid wearing off-shoulder tops, miniskirts and ripped socks.

Compared with the new and the central districts, the old city district is close to historical attractions and traditional communities, and the dress code may be relatively conservative. In these neighborhoods, it is also recommended to dress more conservatively. Women can choose long-sleeved tops and knee-length skirts, and avoid miniskirts, deep V-necks, and clothing with exaggerated graffiti.

If you would like, you can try out an Anteri kaftan, the traditional women's clothing featured in the Istanbul region, during your trip. It is a dress worn by high-ranking women in the late Ottoman Empire on formal occasions or weddings. It is usually made of velvet in dark colors such as dark blue, decorated with delicate gold embroidery. Classic embroidery patterns mainly include tulips, vines, geometric stars, etc. Of course, you can also create your own creative outfit instead of pursuing the degree of restoration. Nowadays, young people in Istanbul often use the methods of mixing styles and renovation to deconstruct traditional clothing. For example, some young girls would transform loose robes into dresses, and some would match jackets with exquisite embroidery with sportswear.

Recommended Outfits in Istanbul in Summer

A crop denim jacket + a pair of high waist cargo pants + a tank top

This set of outfit is very cool, and the pockets on the cargo pants can be used to store keys, mobile phones and other sundries, which is very suitable for wearing when touring the city streets. The combination of a crop top and jacket with high waist jeans is also conducive to raising the waistline and optimizing the figure proportions. And this outfit is very useful for regulating body temperature. If you feel that it is hot, you can take off the jacket and tie it around your waist. And if it starts to be windy, you can put on the jacket.

A solid color T-shirt + a pair of linen wide leg pants + a silk scarf

This look is perfect for visiting religious sites such as churches and mosques. The solid colored T-shirt and linen wide-leg pants will not only keep you comfortable on hot summer days, but will also be appropriate for the dress code of religious occasions. A silk scarf can be wrapped around your head, which not only complies with the dress codes, but also can be used as a headdress to add a touch of embellishment to your look.

A tank top + a beach skirt + a wide-brimmed hat

There are rarely other outfits more suitable for this for your beach tour! A tank top and a beach skirt give you a holiday vibe without being too revealing. At the same time, a wide-brimmed straw hat can protect you from the scorching sun. If you want a more unique look, you can also decorate the hat with a few flowers.

A silk shirt + a tank top + a slit skirt

For night events like dinner at a fancy restaurant, this look is both elegant and feminine. A silk shirt looks both high-end and classic. Wear it over the tank top and tie the hem in a knot. Together with a slit skirt, your charm will be shown to the fullest. To complete this outfit, you can choose a pair of metal earrings and a pair of high heels.

Recommended Outfits in Istanbul in Winter

Istanbul isn't particularly cold in winter, so you have a lot of space to match various garments to be stylish. But you need to remember to take rain gear. For your reference, we provide you with the following outfit ideas:

A long tweed coat + a mock neck sweater + a corduroy maxi skirt

When wandering in a historical district full of cultural heritage, you need a set of artistic look. A long tweed coat has a thick texture and is full of a sense of stability and luxury. At the same time, the corduroy skirt is also a piece of garment which is suitable for showing your elegant temperament.

A wool dress + a cardigan + a pair of long boots

If you love elegant clothing style, then you will definitely like this look! A wool dress and a cardigan are both magic weapons to show the feminine charm. A pair of long boots can also modify your leg lines to a great extent.

A thermal underwear + a sweater vest + a parka + a pair of flannel pants

If you're heading to the beach in winter, we recommend dressing in layers. This will not only lock in as much warmth as possible, but also add a sense of layering to your look. In addition, parkas are generally windproof and waterproof. Even if the wind is strong and the waves are rough at the seaside, you don't have to worry about your inner layer of clothing getting wet by the waves.