How conservatively should a man dress in Kuala Lumpur?
Muslim countries and developing countries often have a more conservative dress sense than big cities in Australia where I live.
Often this means it's disrespectful for a man to wear shorts or sleeveless shorts even in hot weather. In some places flip flops seem not to be very appropriate either.
But often this is less so in big/cosmopolitan cities or in hot humid areas.
So I'm wondering where KL fits along the scale? Would it be ok to wear a sleeveless T-shirt?
Best Answer
For Kuala Lumpur you should dress however you are comfortable (okay, not naked, you need to have some level of modesty); you'll be okay walking around the city in a sleeveless t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops/thongs. You probably won't be dressed appropriately for some venues, but you're fine for standard tourist activities. This dress is a bit uncommon for males, but trust your sense for what's appropriate.
However, if you could purchase a collared shirt made with wicking material (Underarmor or equivalent), some nice wicking shorts that require a belt (like for golf) and trainers you'll be good just about anywhere.
KL is an international city, with a population of 1.6 million which places is between Perth and Adelaide compared to Australian cities1 2. With three cultures resident in Malaysia (Malay, Chinese, and Indian) there is a lot of diversity.
The Malays (generally Muslim) tend to dress more conservatively, but there are some pretty liberal ethnic Malays in KL. My experience is the Muslims dress conservatively for socio-family and personal reasons. They don't try to force their values on you.
The Chinese tend toward very Western and the women are not afraid to show cleavage, wear form fitting clothes, dye their hair, etc. I only mention this is a gauge of how conservative things are/aren't.
The Indians, the overwhelming minority, span the width from sari's to conservative Christian or Muslim to Western.
Pictures about "How conservatively should a man dress in Kuala Lumpur?"
Is there a dress code in Kuala Lumpur?
There is no specific dress code for visitors in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. You'll see Malaysian women wearing a scarf or veil over their hair, some wearing loose clothing that covers them entirely, as well as women in shorter skirts, fitted tops and heels.Can men wear shorts in Kuala Lumpur?
While it is preferable to wear pants in Kuala Lumpur, it is fine to wear skirts and shorts. Just don't wear \u201cshort shorts\u201d or mini skirts.What should you not wear in Malaysia?
Avoid Provocative Clothes Although there are no bans on short clothes or mid-thigh skirts, it is important to note that Malaysia follows the principle of modesty. Hence it is advisable to respect the country's culture and avoid wearing too short clothes and miniskirts that are revealing.Can you wear anything in Malaysia?
There is no specific dress code for tourists and visitors in Malaysia \u2013 as long as you are decently dressed, there are other women dressed in shorter skirts, fitted tops, and heels.Why I dress as a Regency gentleman... everyday of my life - BBC News
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