Hi - I'm moving to Chiang Mai in December and in attempting to get everything together, I can't figure out what clothes to pack! I am 22 years old, and unsure how women my age dress over there. I know that dressing conservatively will help me fit in more, but I also know that the heat is going to make that a little difficult! I'm curious what kind of clothes are appropriate for day to day wear, (ie shorts, tanks, flip flops), and what kind of clothes should I bring for work, most likely a teaching job, (ie. what kind of heels, how high, open toe?, skirt length, etc). Any advice would help! Thanks so much!

Day wear in somewhere as toursity as Chiang Mai is pretty easy going if you are a farang. Whatever you want really. Though if you wear hot pants and crop tops you probably won't be taken too seriously!

In terms of teaching, every school is different. When you get a job ask what the dress code is. Some schools are very strict, for instance only closed shoes, or girls can only wear knee length skirts. Some are more relaxed. But the school will tell you. You can buy everything here cheaply so I wouldn't worry too much, but if you are a larger size, or you have big feet, it's a good idea to stock up. If you are thinking of teaching seriously, I would say it is a good idea to bring some simple flat pumps, a comfortable, breathable knee length skirt and a simple blouse, to wear to interviews. If you do start teaching you may feel uncomfortable going around the town in things like spaghetti straps and short shorts, because other teachers and pupils will see you. But you will probably get a feel for what is and what isn't acceptable.

Thai girls (not bar girls tho) during the day tend to dress in longish shorts and tshirts at a minimum, however remember that is not just out of modesty but because wearing more revealing clothes means more sun on their skin. Often they will be in jeans and a cardigans even on scorching days!

If you leave the town and go to less toursity areas, it's a good idea to stick to t shirts (as opposed to tank tops) and at least mid thigh length shorts. Oh and if you go swimming in a public place, like waterfalls, remember most thai girsl will wear shorts and a t shirt. You would stick out like a sore thumb in a bikini! At swimming pools I wear a bathing costume and shorts.

Thais are pretty easy going. If you have just arrived and have misjudged your clothing choice on a ocassion, no one will be offended. Just keep your eyes open. However things like topless sunbathing are offensive. Oh and one other thing is that Thais will not ask anyone else to wash their underwear for them. Don't send your underwear to the laundry, even if you know other farangs who do it and say it is fine.

What mssabai says is pretty much true. I would only add that you bring a warm jacket and slacks. It can be cold in the evening in Chiang Mai and apartments and hotels are not heated. Unlike the beach areas of southern Thailand, the Thais who choose to swim in the few lakes around Chiang Mai wear shorts and shirts rather than bathing suits. The teachers wear very similar clothes to the students... knee length skirts and blouses. I'd bring a light fleece jacket for when it's cool. And, a light rain jacket for the occasional shower.

Unless you are particularly tall or a large size, I would recommend not bringing too much with you. Then you can get a feel for how others dress and what you would feel most comfortable in.

One thing I definitely recommend bringing though is good underwear, as this can be a bit harder to find. Central shopping here does have bras in C cups, but they are often on the small side even when you remove the padding, so it can be frustrating trying to find nice underwear that fits (anything above is usually granny-style ). Most all shoe shops will carry up to size 6 (39), often size 7 (40), so unless you are above that then you wont have a problem finding shoes of various styles that fit. Easy to find cheap fun shoes as well as more conservative hard wearing shoes. Clothing wise, there are a lot of markets for casual wear etc, and for more formal good quality items there are the bigger stores like Central and Airport Plaza. There are also a lot of "Export Shops" and Export Outlets/Concessions around that have larger sized imported clothes at cheap prices.

So, my recommendation is to take some basics that you feel comfortable in, then have a few days looking and shopping around when you get here.

I agree with all of the above! Although Central are getting better at bra sizes and styles. They are expensive though. And undies/ knickers/panties are an essential to bring with you as the selection here is dreadful! I get my undies sent over here from Australia!!!

I found that when I first came here, I dressed in a more touristy fashion and usually had bare shoulders and thighs. The longer I've stayed, the longer my sleeves and shorts have become. (I've been here almost 6 years now!) Partly because I became more aware of local culture and didn't want to offend people. I also found I got more respect from Thai people if I dressed appropriately. Partly because I didn't want to stick out as a tourist any more! But mainly because I don't want to get cancer, or spend a fortune on sunscreen. Yes, I am now one of those crazy people that wears a jacket when riding a motorbike, even on the hottest days!!!

And congratulations on choosing Chiang Mai - it's a great city!

MCL

Since I got here, I have a really hard time buying underwears. Hate PTLs, and yet I don't want people to think that I'm 'slutty' by getting 'strings'. At work we all have to wear pants that are just slightly fitting on the hip and butt, all have ptls. am I missing something here?, cos I don't want to be the odd one without visible ptls.

Am back from the US, been there for the last 10 years and pretty much over there, it's the case of if you got nice body and wearing tight pants, flaunt it and go strings.

We call that VPL in the UK, but same thing. VPL/PTL seems to be the norm here. Imo looks horrible and ruins the line of clothing as well as not flattering. Ive heard that some men love vpl though

Btw..ive never felt i was being slutty in any way by what underwear i chose to wear, however, im not in a formal working environment ..i guess that would be different. Still..if i was working in a formal environment I wouldnt have thought about it and worn what i thought was best. Maybe i would have been gossiped about, have no idea..and probably wouldnt have any idea why! Then again, if i found out i was being gossiped about because of my choice of underwear, i would likely laugh my ass off... (sorry for the somewhat pun!)

vpl/ptl what are these/that/

bina

bina!! Where have you been living!? Some quiet kibbutz in the middle of nowhere or something?

VPL - visible panty line

PTL - Panty-line

Um, I had to think about it for a min

I don't wear strings here, mainly because I got bored of covering them up when I was drying them on the line. They are definitely considered sexy here and not something you want your neighbours oggling at. I get over the VPL thing by wearing boy short style pants. i usually by them in the UK, but Tesco has (finally) just started selling some cute stripey ones (minues hearts/cartoon characters etc) in 100% cotton for 50 baht each. BARGAIN! I have one pretty tight white skirt I wear for work, and you can't see boy shorts under it.

PS on another note, does anyone where nylon underwear here??? Why is there so much of it for sale? In the tropics? Nylon undies? No thankYOU.