What not to wear in Bhutan? Dressing Tips for Visiting Bhutan

Bhutan has one of the most unique dress codes in the world. The Bhutanese national dress is a major part of the culture that dates back to the early 17th century, when it was first introduced. Today, all Bhutanese citizens are required to wear the national dress during business hours, while even the student uniforms are of the national costume. During the day, it is unusual to find locals wearing anything else.

While it is required for the Bhutanese to wear this formal costume, tourists to Bhutan are not required to do so. You can rent the gho and kira for photos, but you do not need to have one to wear every day you are in Bhutan. However, there are certain dress codes that you will be expected to meet, and you cannot just wear what you like. Bhutan is a devout Buddhist country, and as such, does have some requirements for clothing for tourists.

What not to wear while visiting monastery in Bhutan?

What not to wear in Bhutan Monastery

Prevent body revealing clothes:
When you are visiting a monastery or Dzong in Bhutan, you are required to follow certain rules when it comes to dressing for the occasion. Wearing the wrong kind of clothing could mean that you may be refused entry into the building, especially for women. Revealing clothes are a taboo in Bhutan, and women wearing them can be refused entry to any establishment at the discretion of the owners, not just at Dzongs and monasteries.

Generally, any clothes that are considered to be revealing are frowned upon. This includes halter and spaghetti-strap tops, shorts (for both men and women) and short skirts, and even the kind of skinny cropped t-shirts that are worn a lot these days. And rather than wearing a normal t-shirt, you need to cover your arms, so a long-sleeved top or shirt is more appropriate.

Take off any headgear and sunglasses:
Hats, sunglasses, caps, and head-scarves are considered to be disrespectful to the deities in Bhutan, since it is widely believed that the deity will bless you through the top of the head. Remove any headgear and sunglasses before entering the Dzong or Lhakhang.

Avoid wearing slippers/flip-flops:
You should also avoid wearing flip-flops or slippers in the monasteries, as bare feet are not permitted, and you should leave your umbrella outside, if you are traveling in the rainy season.

Dress code for Bhutan Monastery

Dress modestly:
One of the main concerns for travelers to Bhutan is what they can wear, as opposed to just stating what they cannot. While it is easy to say what not to wear, this list of taboo clothing in inexhaustible, and you may find that, despite an item of clothing not being on the "list", it is still considered to be inappropriate.

Primarily, you should consider dressing modestly while visiting Bhutan, especially when visiting monasteries. A shirt with a collar and sleeves is the best option, for both men and women, and long pants or a long skirt are much better. For long skirts, they should cover the entire leg, down to your ankles. If you do not have a shirt with a collar, then adding a jacket over the top is an appropriate form of covering.

Choose proper footwear:
Footwear is important when touring Bhutan's many Dzongs and Lhakhangs. When entering a monastery, you will be required to remove your shoes, so consider getting a pair of slip-on shoes for traveling and touring around the major religious sites in Bhutan. With hundreds of Dzongs and Lhakhangs in Bhutan, you will find yourself removing your shoes quite often. And you should always wear socks of some form that cover your whole foot. Walking barefoot in the monastery is not permitted. Better to have black or dark socks, so that the dirt from the floors does not show so easily while you are touring.

Tips:
As well as the gho and kira, both men and women in Bhutan wear long scarves over their shoulders when visiting Dzongs and government administrative centers. The scarf worn by men is known as the "Kabney", while the scarf of the women is known as the "Rachu". Both men and women wear the scarf over their left shoulder, and the color of the scarf denotes the rank or status and position of the wearer in Bhutanese society. Usually made from pure silk, they are woven by hand and embroidered with rich and beautiful patterns.

What not to wear when attending festival in Bhutan?

What not to wear at Bhutan festival

Once again, festivals are devout religious occasions in Bhutan, and are mostly held in reverence to deities or to the Buddhist master, Padmasambhava, known here as Guru Rinpoche. These religious festivals are another time when you should know what to wear and what to avoid.

Generally, if you cannot wear it inside the monastery, then you cannot wear it at the festivals either. Revealing clothing, short skirts, shorts, cami-tops, etc. should all be avoided to show your respect to the local Bhutanese culture and religion.

What to wear to festival in Bhutan

Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and legs:
Similar to clothing that you can wear in the monasteries, the clothing for festivals should cover at least your shoulders and legs, though your lower arms are okay to be bare. Full-length skirts and long pants are preferable, along with collared shirts and blouses with sleeves that should at least come to the elbow.

Prepare comfortable shoes:
Which shoes you wear is a little different for festivals, as the ceremonies that are generally performed inside the monastery are often closed to foreigners. However, for the rest of the festival, a comfortable pair of shoes to fully enjoy the local Bhutan festivals is the best idea. You should avoid sandals and slippers or flip-flops, especially if you are traveling in the winter or colder parts of spring and autumn. It is not taboo, but your feet are likely to get very cold. A good pair of rubber shoes (trainers) or running shoes make for comfortable festival footwear.

Try the traditional Bhutanese outfit:
If you are feeling particularly brave, you can always head for the festival in the traditional Bhutanese national costumes. The gho and kira, along with all the accessories, are available to hire for the day from several shops in all the major tourist destinations, and are well worth the cost for the experience of dressing like the locals at the festival. And it will allow you to blend in more with the local scene, and become more a part of the festival than in normal western clothes.

What not to wear for trekking in Bhutan?

What not to wear while trekking

Heavy clothing is not a wise choice:
If you are planning on trekking in Bhutan, then you should be careful what you are choosing as trekking wear. Heavy clothing is not a wise choice when trekking in Bhutan, as it will wear you down with the excess weight. Avoid things like heavy jackets and denim pants (jeans), as these can be too heavy to be comfortable for several hours in each day. What's more, they do not dry up very fast, so will get heavier when they get wet with rain or your own sweat.

Cotton clothes are not good:
Cotton clothing should be avoided because it is not as fast at drying as nylon and Lycra, so choose wisely.

Avoid single-layer clothes:
Remember to dress in layers as temperatures vary a lot during the day, especially in spring and autumn.

Dressing tips for trekking in Bhutan

Wear lightweight clothes:
Ideally, trekking pants and shirts are the best option for those that are planning a trek in Bhutan, no matter what time of year it is. Lightweight clothing is the best option for hiking, and light pants and shirts are much better than heavy thick clothing.

Dress in layers:
Dress in layers when it gets colder, so that you can remove layers from the top as it gets warmer, and better regulate your internal temperature. And avoid cotton in the inner layers, as this is where the body traps moisture to help insulate you from the cold. The top layer should also be waterproof and windproof, and easily removable for changing or adding/removing layers.

Wear sturdy hiking boots:
Strong hiking boots are essential for any trek in Bhutan, as the ground can be rough and rocky in many places across the kingdom. Hiking boots should lace up over the ankle for better support on rough ground, and have deep treads for grip on slippery and smooth surfaces, or on slopes. The boots should also be waterproof, to keep your feet warm and dry.

Dressing Tips for Visiting Bhutan in different seasons

What to wear in Bhutan in summer?

Summer in Bhutan is nice and warm, but it is also the time of the monsoon rains. While you can get away with lighter clothing and fewer layers, you should have good wet-weather gear to keep you dry in the rainy season. Waterproof hats, jackets, and pants can be very useful, and bring an umbrella for those times when it is just a light shower.

What to wear in Bhutan in spring?

Spring ranges from being cold to being a little warm, depending on the month. In the colder weather, bring warmer clothing, similar to winter wear. Even in the latter months, bring some warm sweaters for the evenings, which can still get colder. A good warm fleece or down jacket can be a benefit in the colder evenings, when temperatures can drop drastically.

What to wear in Bhutan in autumn?

Similar to spring, autumn weather varies with the months, and the start of autumn is warmer than the end. Bring raincoats in September, as there can still be a few last remaining showers hanging around. And in the latter part of the season, in November, you will need the warmer clothing to stay warm in the colder weather. Nights are also a lot colder by the end of autumn, so bring that thick fleece or down jacket with you.

What to wear in Bhutan in winter?

Generally, winter in Bhutan can be chilly but comfortable in the daytime, and colder at night. Nights can drop to below freezing in several places across the major tourist areas, so be prepared for colder weather than the rest of the year. Bring your layers of clothes, some long underwear, and good fleece or down jackets to keep out the worst of the cold. Warm hats and gloves are essential, and can help to keep your body temperature up. And find some good thick socks to wear inside your warm hiking boots, even if you are not hiking.

Conclusion

While Bhutan is one of the smallest countries in the world, its cultural diversity and richness are profound. Thus Bhutan government put such a strong emphasis on the promotion and preservation of its unique culture. The Bhutanese national dress is an important part of the culture. You can see that all the locals wear the national dress in their daily life. They do expect visitors to dress modestly and respectfully especially when you are visiting the monasteries, Dzongs and other religious institutions. Hope you will have a wonderful and unique Bhutan tour.