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With its rich history and diverse culture, the Philippines is a sought-after destination. Travelers can immerse themselves in Filipino culture, try exotic cuisine, and visit churches and houses that are thousand years old and with its more than 7000 islands, go island hopping or just watch the sunset with friends.
No matter what you choose to do in the archipelago, you have to travel light. Here is a list of what to wear in the Philippines when island hopping:
What to Wear in the Philippines
Written by Rochelle Divina Balista
3Â Dresses
Maxi Dress | Maxi Skirt | Cover Up
1 Maxi Dress, 1 Sun Dress, 1Â Additional
In the summer months, dresses are your way to go. This may vary according to your activities but maxi and summer dresses are the staple addition to your travel capsule wardrobe.
Fresh and versatile dresses are ideal especially for island-hopping and walking along the seashore. A breezy dress, and flip-flops topped with a straw hat make the perfect day-in-the-beach combination.
Do not forget to pack pretty jewelry and accessories to dress up your outfit for a nice evening out.
4 Tops
The Philippines has a tropical climate so you want to wear light and loose clothing. White and light colors are suggested as they reflect the heat. Save the dark-colored tops for the night.
Do not forget to bring a classic white tee, which you can spruce up with accessories. Light cotton tops are more advisable to wear than synthetics.
You can pack one to two sleeveless tops but make sure that they are not overly revealing as you will encounter both a modern and conservative culture. Filipinos get their fashion inspiration from Hollywood celebrities and US TV shows so you won’t feel out of place.
Bring a light jacket or other cover up because even in the summer, some parts of the Philippines can be cooler at night.
3 Bottoms
Leggings | Shorts | Denim Cutoffs
1 Jeans, 1 Shorts, 1 Additional
You might be surprised to see denim featured on this list on what to wear in the Philippines but jeans are a staple here. You can choose to wear any design of jeans from bootleg to skinny (which is very popular). They’re useful on cooler nights but you can replace this suggestion with another set of trousers more convenient to travel.
If in case you forget to bring a pair of pants, fret not. The Philippines is a place of jeans and shops. Malls offer a wide variety of pants at an affordable price. Leggings and jeggings are popular and widely available.
Similar to jeans, denim shorts are also popular so pack a pair and also bring an additional bottom to suit your style.
Flip-Flops | Sandals | Necklace | Sunglasses | Sunscreen | Hat | Bag | Swimsuit
Other things to bring
To add style and practicality to your holiday, don’t forget the above beach essentials!
The key to packing light is to use packing cubes to compress your clothing as shown in this video!
Travel Outfit Ideas
What are your tips on what to wear in the Philippines?
For more Southeast Asia packing tips and ideas, please read:
- Southeast Asia Packing List for Women
- Thailand Islands Packing List
- What to Wear in Singapore: Vacation Tips from Local Fashion Blogger
- Backpacking Southeast Asia: The Ultimate Packing List
Suggested Travel Resources:
I’m currently on Bantayan Island in the Philippines, and I’m very glad to have read several articles and blog posts here! As a woman traveling alone, I was concerned about my safety and about theft, and with the tips here I have felt more secure than I would have otherwise.
The clothing suggestions are generally spot on, except that you won’t need a jacket on Bantayan. It’s swelteringly hot this time of year, and I’m told that it never really cools off. I’ve been wearing shorts or dresses every day, and preferably my lightweight merino wool because it feels drier for longer. Step outside and you’re drenched with sweat almost instantly!
Great article, heading there in January!
Not helpful advice! I know what to wear to a beach. But I need to know what to wear to a luncheon with business people in Manila….
I’m planning for a trip to Manila right now! Do you know if the Philippines are similar to other Asian countries for shopping in that all the clothes are for tiny bodies? I hope not; I want to shop!
Hi,
I will visit my friends at Manila on June 23 to July 1. I will spend a few days at Baguio. Do you have any recommendations how to travel with style during my trip?
Thanks
Fransisca
Baguio is where Filipinos go to wear jackets, sweater and coats. Coming from SFO I can just wear regular jeans and basic t-shirt plus denim jacket. Also Baguio rains a lot. Don’t bring converse. bring water proof shoes. Basically If you go the Philippines always bring a shoes that can get get. Keens are my favorites. I can use it as water shoes for the islands and hiking/walking shoes for when it rains. Also don’t forget to bring light rain coat or umbrella.
I’m in the US, I want order gifts for my girlfriend there in the Phillipines. Is there a website you recommend?
By the way, I am travelling in a few months to see her, any recommendations for me as what to do, where to go. She’s in Manila.
Thanks!
Amazon definitely delivers there, you’ll just need to be careful of what companies are available for that country. I love the Makati City area of Manila, and Intramuros is a neat part of the city with a very Spanish feel! Enjoy your trip!
I would recommend to get her some nice bags from hight ends stores like Micheal Kors, Zara and other fancy stores like Macys and Nordstrom. They sell some nice purses there and it would be a great souvenir for your girlfriend and most Filipinos women there like bags and purses.
this would me my first time to travel in cebu even though i originated in philippines.
this article helped me alot not to bring a lot of cloths lol.
thanks
hope u can give me other tips for first timer, single traveller and spot to look in.
thanks again
Thanks Fiel! Happy to help 🙂
Totally agree with you on all points. I usually pack 2 pants + several tops and a few dresses. I pack like a doomsday prepper on holiday (I don’t want to be that girl who isn’t ready). Where have you been here?
Hi there! I just spent a month in the Philippines this past May (but this article is written by a local traveler). I visited Cebu City, Malapascua, Dumaguete, MoalBoal, Anilao, and Manila – it was fantastic!
Maxi is the perfect dress to wear in Philippines as shorts does not go to their culture!
Wearing shorts definitely depends on your destination in the country but I do have to agree with the suggestions of the Filipino author, I saw many locals on the beach side destinations wearing shorts on my recent 4 week trip to the Philippines.
I’m very glad that you’ve posted this guide, well, because I’m from the Philippines.
I agree about the jeans, we love wearing them anywhere, anytime even with the kind of weather we have. And it is true that the skinnies are our besties.
Everything is pretty much covered, I’d just like to add, it is a must to bring a light weight umbrella, you’ll never know when it’s gonna rain, and we use it more as a shade from the sun.
Sarong or light weight scarves are popular and versatile cover ups.
Thanks for your feedback Princess! Glad we’ve got it down 🙂
I haven’t been to the Philippines yet, but I am glad you briefly mentioned details about respecting culture and not wearing anything too revealing. I have many maxi dresses I haven’t been able to wear much, so it’s great to know I have somewhere that will put them to good use!
I always like to pack a maxi dress in SEA for this reason 🙂