Evening Wear

Evenings are warm, too, so there is no need for long trousers. It rarely gets so chilly that you would need to wear a jumper, however if there is a breeze, a light long sleeve for men, and a light shawl for the women should do. 

Men often wear tailored shorts or lightweight pants with T-shirts or short-sleeved, button-down shirts. Women can also be seen wearing tailored shorts and T-shirts or nicer tops.

Daywear

The average air temperature in the Maldives is around 30 degrees Celsius, so we suggest lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. You will most likely spend a good portion of your time at the Resort outside, so the ladies will want to pack a few swimsuits, summer dresses and tops. A sarong or some sort of a cover-up is a great idea, too, for when you are walking around the Resort, go to the bar or for meals. Men mostly wear shorts and light T-shirts or shirts. For your convenience and that of other guests, wet bathing suits and going to the Restaurants and Bars topless is considered inappropriate.

Dressing during visits to local island and Male'

A more modest form of dress is required when vising the capital Male or a local island, when shoulders to knees should be covered for both men and women.  Some guesthouses offer access to a 'bikini beach' where foreign visitors can wear swimwear in public, but not all local islands offer this.  If there isn't a bikini beach available on your island please be aware that even modest swimwear by western standards is not appropriate, and both men and women shouldn't wear anything more revealing than a loose t-shirt or rash-vest and knee-length shorts for swimming. 

As the beaches and pathways of local villages aren't always meticulously maintained, you'll need a pair of sandals or flipflops at all times.

Many local beaches don't yet offer umbrellas and sunloungers (although some do) so it's worth packing a hat to protect from the sun's glare.  

A note to female travellers: while Maldivian women are tending more and more to completely cover up (you may even see the occasional lady in a burqa although this is still rare) there's no expectation that you do so.  As long as you keep your shoulders covered (nothing more revealing than a t-shirt - please leave vest tops, cami-tops and strappy tops at home) and wear shorts.trousers, skirt or dress that covers your knees, you'll be perfectly comfortable.

What to Wear at a Resort

The majority of visitors will spend most of the day in swimwear.  Bikinis are acceptable for ladies, but it should be noted that nudity is against the law, as is topless sunbathing.  All guests are asked to cover up in the restaurants and public areas such as reception, and will be turned away from the restaurant if this is not done.  Generally a sarong is sufficient for women although some resorts prefer ladies to have their shoulders covered.  See-through clothing can cause offence.   

Some people like to 'dress up' in the evening, but on the majority of islands the dress code is very relaxed and smart casual is the order of the day.  For men, smart or tailored shorts, 3/4 or full length lightweight trousers are all perfectly acceptable.  T-shirts and short sleeved cotton shirts are seen in equal numbers, and occasionally vest tops, which on some islands are seen as inappropiate for the evening.  Ladies can be seen wearing everything from smart shorts and T-shirts to long floaty dresses, skirts or trousers.   

The only footwear that is likely to be needed are flipflops or possibly low sandals.  The vast majority of islands have sand pathways making the wearing of heels difficult and occasionally dangerous! 

 
It should be noted that some islands do have their own, specific dress code and it is advisable to check this before packing.

Dress code in Maldives

'What is the dress code?' is a frequent question on the forums. The Maldives are on the equator with the temperature rarely dipping below 25C, even at night.  Lightweight, loose cotton clothing is therefore advisable.  Please be aware that there are different guidelines depending on whether you're staying at a resort (a hotel on a private island) or in a guesthouse (in a village in a locally inhabited island).

Facts about Maldives

Top 10 Best Perfumes for Women For All Occasions

Top 10 Most Popular Perfumes for Men

Clothing in Maldives to suit the weather

Maldives weather is generally pleasant with sunny skies, so Maldives climate, too, remains warm all throughout the year. Since the daily temperature of Maldives ranges from 30°4C to 25°4C, so Maldives clothing vary from light cotton clothes to summer linens at times. 

The best weather is between November and April. The high season falls between December and March. The monsoon runs from May to October, peaking around June. So when you visit Maldives, casual clothing is most normal for Maldives culture.


You should carry tee shirts, cotton shirts, slacks, light skirts, shorts, and beach wears, to enjoy Maldives-clothing in the warm Maldives climate. However, these clothes should be made of lightweight cotton or linen materials.

Restrictions regarding clothing in Maldives

Since Maldives is a typically Muslim country so there are various restrictions imposed on clothing. Following are the variety of restrictions:

• Women should keep their thighs and shoulders covered. Even if they are wearing shorts and three quarters, yet the dress should definitely cover their thighs and shoulders.
• Bikinis are absolutely prohibited.
• Nude bathing is strictly prohibited.
• Women should not wear transparent clothing.

These restrictions regarding Maldives culture are strictly followed in Maldives. Even when you are on the beach, swimming or enjoying water sports, you are not allowed to wear bikinis.

You can wear swimming trunks and swimwear while you are out on the sea. However, you are never allowed to wear them inside the resorts or restaurants to avoid offending other fellow holidaymakers.

Casual dress code of Maldives clothing

If you are casually visiting the bars, restaurants, fishing villages or neighboring islands, you can wear some light cotton tropical wears that will cover your shoulders to thighs yet make you feel absolutely comfortable.

Sometimes you might go for an excursion to villages that are quite sensitive to local traditions, culture and norms. On these occasions you should dress yourself in a decent garment that will not affect the Maldives culture.

Your clothing should include proper shoes and hats. To cover yourself from the intense sunrays you can wear hats and goggles.

The traditional Maldivian dress

The traditional Maldivian dress, or the Dhivehi libaas, showcases one of Maldives’ most unique embroidery techniques – that of Kasabu viyun. Kasabu viyun entails silver and gold lace, hand weaved into the neckline of the Dhivehi libaas.

Very few craftspeople currently practice Kasabu work – it is therefore very rare and very difficult to obtain for purchase.

Modern embroidery mainly adorns the Dhiguhedhun, the Maldivian national dress. While thread and needle work was previously done by hand, sewing machines are now used extensively – however, the more intricate of the work is still done by hand.

The traditional costumes of Maldives are quite simple. Men wear sarongs (a length of clothing wrapped around the waist) with a long sleeved shirt, which is invariably white. Cotton is the preferred fabric due to the island’s tropical weather. The traditional dress for women is called libaas. The costume, which resembles a dress, is typically worn during special occasions, festivals and during dance performances. They are usually adorned with gold or silver coloured threads, and the best ones are hand stitched. In addition to looking nice the costumes make excellent souvenirs.

Maldivian Dress and costumes

The Maldives has its own national dresses and costumes that have changed over time. Even today a walk on the streets in Male’ will offer you a mix of the traditional with the modern. 

The oldest Maldivian dress is the libaas which has evolved and changed over time. The libaas is worn with an underskirt called feyli. Feyli has traditionally been an important piece of attire for both men and women. It is a black or dark brown wraparound that is bordered at the bottom with broad stripes of white. Feyli was worn by the nobility as a sarong. The wraparound was also part of the ceremonial dress of the palace guards and other attendants at the palace.

libas and feyli

Dhigu hedhun is a more recent introduction. The national dress was designed and introduced in the 1950s and is now widely worn by ladies as an everyday dress as well as at important national functions.

Faaskuri hedhun or Dhigu hedhun