What to Wear in Uzbekistan: Packing Tips for Women

If you are anything like me, packing stresses you out. Not just for the fear of forgetting to bring something, but also the pressure of making sure that you pack the right things. For the climate, for the activities planned, and to be respectful. When it came to what to wear in Uzbekistan I wasn’t quite sure. As a primarily Muslim country, I erred on the side of modesty which was easy since I visited at the beginning of winter. However, while I do suggest you dress respectfully, it also wasn’t quite as conservative as I had expected, especially in Tashkent. With that in mind, here are my tips and suggestions on what to pack for Uzbekistan.

Ps: if you are looking for Uzbekistan travel tips you can find my Uzbekistan guide and suggested itinerary here.

What to Wear in Uzbekistan 

Long dresses and skirts 

Skirts and dresses are easy outfits to pack for Uzbekistan. Not only are they cute and comfortable, but longer lengths (especially maxi) also mean you are respectfully covered for exploring religious sites such as mosques. Plus, in the warm summer months, they can allow for more air flow and help keep you cool. I don’t usually shop at Amazon, but I bought this dress for the trip and found it was perfect. Super comfortable plus the length, neckline, and shoulders make it acceptable to wear in mosques. Plus, it has pockets! 

T-shirts or long-sleeve tops

I definitely recommend t-shirts and long-sleeve tops over tank tops. The shoulder coverage is important for some sites, plus it’s just more respectful in general as you walk around. Also make sure your t-shirt is full length (not a crop top) and avoid anything that is too low. That being said, I wore a lot of normal V-neck shirts and I had no issues. 

One of my favourite t-shirts to recommend for travel is the evolve top from encircled. It’s a multi-way top that allows you to adjust the sleeve length and you can reverse it for a higher neckline. 

Pants

I definitely recommend pants over shorts (even in summer). Again, for coverage so you have easy access to places like mosques but again, also just to be respectful when walking around a primarily Muslim country that is more conservative. That being said you can wear whatever style of pants you prefer. Ideally, not jeans with lots of rips but if you prefer tighter and more form fitting jeans or pants that’s ok. If you are visiting in summer, you’ll likely prefer something looser and airier. That being said, there are a lot of squat toilets in Uzbekistan so if your pants are too loose and baggy, it can be trickier to move them out of the way! So, keep that in mind. Travel pants I love to bring with me when I travel include my lululemon wunder train tights and the dressy sweatpants from encircled. 

A note on jumpsuits: I brought one with me because they are cute and comfortable but again, squat toilets make them tricky. Especially because some stalls have really low doors and since I am 5’8, the upper part of my body was definitely above the door.

Shoes

When it comes to footwear, I suggest running shoes. You will be doing a lot of walking around Uzbekistan, so you want something supportive and comfortable for varied types of terrain including cobblestone streets. Again, most public toilets are squat toilets so even if you choose not to specifically wear running shoes, I recommend closed-toe shoes that you can easily wash! My go-to shoes for travel are the weekend style from Vessi. They are super comfortable, waterproof, and wash (and dry) easily in the washing machine. 

Jackets/Sweaters

I visited in November and while some days it was warm enough to walk around in short sleeves, the evenings and mornings could definitely be chill so I recommend brining pieces that you can layer. I brought a couple of sweaters and then a leather jacket which was perfect for what I needed. Granted, I’m also Canadian so I didn’t find it *that* cold. There were others in our group who also wore hats and gloves. For reference, the coldest it got was around 5 degrees Celsius but that was very early in the morning.

Travel Insurance

While technically not something to pack, this wouldn’t be a proper packing list if I didn’t mention the importance of travel insurance. Travel insurance is an essential for any trip and while it may be annoying to spend the extra money on something you probably (hopefully) don’t need, it’s not something you want to be caught without. Especially somewhere so far away from home. So, as someone who has needed to use her own travel insurance multiple times throughout the years for a variety of different reasons including hospital visits and evacuation, please make sure that you do not leave home without it. If you are looking for a recommendation, I personally used SafetyWing for this trip. I’ve had fantastic experiences with them in the past and their pricing is very affordable. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions of what is included and covered based on your travel itinerary, especially in terms of adventure sports and activities.

Things to Pack for Uzbekistan

Scarf

As mentioned, Uzbekistan is a Muslim country and many of the main sites and attractions are religious places (ie: mosques). As a woman, you have to cover your hair upon entering these places so you will want to make sure you have a scarf on you at all times. Note that you only have to cover your hair in mosques and religious sites, not anywhere else. Also, I’d like to note, as someone with blonde-ish hair I was never uncomfortable or made to feel weird about it (which has happened to me in other countries).

I suggest bringing a scarf with you to have on hand (some places have some you can borrow, but its better to have your own). However, don’t bring too many because the scarves here are also beautiful and make for great souvenirs! You can learn more about shopping in Uzbekistan and what to buy (including scarves!) in my post about souvenirs in Uzbekistan.

Toiletries 

I definitely recommend making sure you bring all your own basic toiletries when in Uzbekistan. Not all accommodations had them available and when they did it was often the shampoo /conditioner /body wash all-in-one type product which, let’s be honest, never works well for women’s hair. So do yourself a favour and bring your own. I like to buy reusable tubes that I can refill before my trips with my favourite products from home. You can find some like what I use here.

Toilet Paper/Kleenex/Wipes

Toilet paper is not readily available in public toilets so it’s always a good idea to have some spare TP, Kleenex, or even wipes with you when you are out and about exploring. Also, some of the toilet paper was really rough so as a woman especially, I was glad I had brought a roll of my own from home. 

Adapter

Uzbekistan has type C and F sockets (like Europe) so you’ll want to make sure you bring an adapter with you for your electronics. I love and recommend this one which is universal and allows me to plug in and charge multiple devices at once. 

First Aid Kit

Healthcare in Central Asia isn’t quite up to the standards that most of us expect in the Western countries so I suggest coming prepared for any minor illnesses or injuries. Please be sure to bring your own painkillers, feminine products, bandages, anti-septic wipes etc. I suggest bringing a travel-friendly first aid kit (mine is similar to this one) for your trip just in case. 

Power Bank

These days we rely on our phones for photos and maps and batteries drain pretty quickly! Make sure you can keep your phone (and other devices) charged at all times with a power bank that you can throw into your bag for the day. I use this one, it’s a beast but it also gives me several charges so I don’t need to worry about charging it every single night. 

Reusable Water bottle

It’s not recommended to drink tap water in Uzbekistan (although I did brush my teeth with it and was fine!). However, many hotels have big water tanks in the lobby that guests can use and fill up before they go out for the day or when they return before bed. For this reason, it’s best to bring your own reusable water bottle with you. 

Sunscreen

Don’t forget sunscreen! Even when I visited in November, I found the sun to be strong and came back with a tan. In the summer, the heat and sun will be blazing and nobody wants a sunburn! On that same note, I also am a big fan of SPF lip balm. 

Final Considerations for What to Wear in Uzbekistan

Be Mindful of the Weather

The first thing to know when figuring out what to wear in Uzbekistan is that it can be incredibly hot, but also pretty chilly. It all depends on the time of year you visit, and when you go. I visited in November and often opted for a jacket over my t-shirts and dresses, especially in the evenings and early mornings. That being said, in the summer, the temperatures can reach 45C so you will want light, airy pieces that breathe easily and protect you from the sun. 

Cities Differ

Keep in mind that each city in Uzbekistan is different. Tashkent is incredibly modern and less conservative (although there are still religious areas and buildings to explore). Cities like Bukhara and Samarkand are more touristy. But if you choose to venture outside of these main hubs you will likely notice things are a little more conservative. Again, I recommend to err on the side of caution and avoid less revealing clothing out of respect for the local culture, but also because you will likely feel more comfortable if you are dressed similarly to the locals. 

Think About Where you are Staying

Another thing to keep in mind, not so much with what to wear but how to pack, is where you are staying. Some cities, like Tashkent, are very modern and you can grab a taxi right to your hotel door and use the elevator. Other hotels in the old parts of cities are not accessible by car, which means you will have to walk, and don’t have elevators. Keep this in mind as you decide on a backpack vs a rolling suitcase. Personally, I used a rolling suitcase and it was fine on the cobblestones. But I did lug it up a bunch of stairs so I made sure I didn’t overpack- although that was partly because I knew I wanted to shop as well!

Happy travels!

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both. 

Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.

Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!