What to Wear in Cambodia

Top style tips for Cambodia

When deciding what to wear in Cambodia, remember it is a hot and tropical country, so natural fabrics e.g. linen, cotton and silk will keep you cooler than synthetic fabrics.
Lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing, long-sleeved pants and long-sleeved shirts will protect against mosquitoes and the sun.
Don't even think about wearing jeans – it's just way too hot for denim.
Light wool is a good choice to wear against your skin as it naturally helps to regulate your body temperature. It keeps you warm in the cold, wicks away moisture when it's hot, and doesn't retain odours – even after prolonged wear.
Good sunglasses are a must, and wear a sunhat and plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection).
Travel light – it is cheap and easy to get your laundry done.
If you are looking for a highly versatile travel jacket to bring along we recommend the SCOTTeVEST range. Their range of jackets have been specifically designed with traveling in mind and include RFID security (to protect your passport information), 23 secure pockets and personal connectivity integration.

Good lightweight walking boots with ankle support are a must, as is a comfortable change of shoes. You may need to wear these second shoes if you get blisters, so choose carefully. A pair of trekking sandals which can fit socks underneath can be a good option too. Try Hotter shoes for a range of comfy styles.
Our advice is to make sure you ‘wear in' your walking boots/shoes for a number of weeks before your trip – you'll be so much more comfortable if you do.
Sandals with the rugged bottom are good for hiking around town and to wear in the showers.
We like Thorlos hiking socks – they're especially designed to keep your feet dry and comfortable when trekking in hotter climes.
Remember to remove your footwear before entering any religious or sacred place.
But never point a bare sole at anyone – even unintentionally – as this is regarded as highly disrespectful and will insult the locals.

Shorts or a skirt, camisoles and t-shirts are popular because of the heat, but they afford less protection and you will need to cover up at any scared sites.
While visiting places of worship, your legs and shoulders must be covered. Our advice would be to wear long loose pants and a long-sleeved cotton shirt.
A pashmina or sarong is a versatile item that you can use for sun protection or as a modesty cover-up – and it will ‘glam' up the simplest of outfits if you need it too.

When visiting Buddhist temples opt for long pants and a long-sleeved shirt.
For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.

It's hottest in April and coolest in January, although even then it's still in the high 20 degrees centigrade.
The wettest months are April, May, June, July, August, September and October… but it's hot.
It's hot but with very little rain between December, January, February and March – but whatever time you travel always take a lightweight raincoat.
We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂 Download for iPad/iPhone or Android

We recommend you hire a bike to explore Angkor Wat

You will need your own toiletries including anti-bacterial handwash. And you are advised to take your own little medical kit and sewing repair kit.
A microfiber travel towel is another great item to pack – these are designed specifically for such travel: they fold really small so you can accommodate a larger size and they dry really quickly too.
If you are staying in more basic accommodation then take a sleeping bag liner, mosquito net and your own toilet paper.
A torch (with spare batteries) and binoculars are very useful too.
Don’t drink or even brush your teeth in tap water. Consider taking a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle
A bag or soft-sided rucksack is a more practical option than hard cases when traveling around the country, and using packing cubes can help to keep your belongings tidy whilst compressing the volume too.
Combine your bag with a handy backpack that will carry your daytime essentials.
To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step down voltage converter if your devices are not designed for the local voltage (230V).
Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Hand-woven Cambodian silk is a popular buy or look for silver areca containers.