What to wear for temples and palaces - thailand and Cambodia November

[higgle]

Perhaps I should have posted this on travel but it is about what to wear. We are off to Thailand and Cambodia in November and I know that it will be very hot but that there is a fairly strict dress code for the Thai temples and palaces which means arms and legs must be covered and shoes must have enclosed toes and heels. I kjnow that i mmust get my hokiday wardrobe sorted out pretty soon but I'm at a loss to know what to get - should I just settle for some cheap caftans and linen trousers on ebay or is there a better solution. Also is the dress code as strict in Cambodia? So far I have one maxi dress that I can werar with a tie fronted cotton cardigan and that is about it. All suggestions gratefully received.

I think a maxi dress will be fine. As I recall, we were given wraparound skirts to wear at temples. Men too!!

I always carry a light pashmina/scarf/sarong thingy for emergency sarong or shoulder covering.

I also found a very light musliny fabric bolero in Accessorise beachwear a few years ago and this is perfect cover up over a vest top in a temple. It folds up so small and is so light that it is no bother having it in my day bag. Also great for putting on if the sun gets too much.

I don't ever remember covering my toes being an issue. Most locals seem to wear some sort of sandals. I would expect it would be more likely that you remove shoes before entering a temple to be honest.

I've been to Thailand, if I went again I'd get some of those zip-off trousers, worn with a vest top and get some kind of very light, very loose silk or cotton cover up. I wore linen trousers and a long sleeve cotton tunic which was too tight and too thick. I really suffered in the heat because a lot of the temples are outdoors so you're not nessesarily in a shady temple all the time, plus if you're doing a tour you need to think about what you'll wear the rest of the day. I really feel the heat and needed the breeze on my skin for as much of the day as possible, wearing as little as possible!

I remember hearing about the closed toe shoes and I baked in ballet flats when I went (we went other places as well that day so I wore them all day). You have to remove your shoes to enter all temples so it doesn't matter at all what you wear on your feet! Although it's worth packing some little socks to put on when you take your shoes off as the flooring can be roasting!

This is what it says about the Grand Palace on the tourist information site:
Dress Code: Visitors are required to dress appropriately. Thus the following dress - code (applicable to both ladies and gentlemen) is requested:

1. Shorts, mini-skirts, short skirts, tight fitting trousers, as well as tights can not be worn as outer garments.
2. See-through shirts and blouses, as well as culottes or quarter length trousers can not be worn.
3. Sleeveless shirts or vests can not be worn as outer garments.
4. Sandals (without ankle or heel straps) can not be worn.
5. All shirt sleeves, whether long or short, can not be rolled up.
6. Sweat shirts and sweat pants, wind-cheaters, pajamas and fisherman trousers can not be worn.

HTH V jealous of you going to Cambodia!

I realise I've just contradicted myself there because it says no sandals! I don't understand though because we had to take our shoes off anyway?

Here's the link:
Grand Palace

the grand palace has a dressing room where you can borrow clothes if you're not dressed appropriately.

The grand palace was the most strict place we found in Thailand. I bought a wrap around silk skirt in Thailand which was great. Most places as long as you have your shoulders and knees covered that is fine so had 3 quarter length trousers or long linen trousers with short sleeve shirts. You take your shoes of for most temples.
You can buy climate appropriate clothes out there pretty cheap.
Are you going to Ankor Wat and around in Cambodia? We went last year an was amazing. Be prepared to be hassled a lot. There are lots of beggars and people trying to sell you things which does get annoying. Found a firm no and ignoring them worked.

Good post op. Was wondering this myself as off to Phuket in September. Would love to go to a temple, possibly on my own as dh would not be interested.

Thank you for all the replies - I think I'll persist with my ebaying for a couple of lightish weight caftan tops and take my zip of lightweight walking trousers, then I can just buy something extra if needed there.
We do one special holiday every 3 years and this is the first time we have been able to head east as usually we are tied to school holidays, but this year we become empty nesters for most of the year with DS2 off to uni.

I've just got back from Thailand and was surprised at how relaxed many of the temples were. Although some required shoulders and knees to be covered many did not.

Cambodia was very relaxed (although I went 15 years ago)

I wore long sleeved blouse,linen trousers and shoes and roasted for the whole day.I wish I had worn less and borrowed the clothes there. Having said that I would've felt really uncomfortable going around most of Bangkok with bare shoulders and legs on view,so a happy medium would be better.

Covered heels and toes were specified but I saw a few without.

Covered heels and toes were specified but I saw a few without.