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There are many things that are different about the Egyptian holiday resort of Sharm el Sheikh and traditional fashion culture is one of them. Egypt is a country steeped in history, culture and customs. The native population conforms to many religious and cultural traditions as far as dress is concerned, but those rules seem to be quietly forgotten in the cosmopolitan resorts of Sharm el Sheikh on the Red Sea. However a new campaign, being promoted by travel magazine Wanderlust, aims to make tourists more aware of local expectations in terms of what to wear and hopes it will encourage people to take more care to be respectful of local traditions when it comes to choosing appropriate clothing.

Over the years, travellers have become used to the accepted dress codes of the major European travel resorts, but with people travelling to further destinations perhaps we need to think more carefully because clothing that is fine to wear in the Costa del Sol may not go down so well in Morocco, Egypt or Jordan. For resorts like Sharm el Sheikh, where the majority of people there are holidaymakers, some exceptions may be allowed but anyone venturing out of the main resort areas, to visit the temples of the Nile perhaps, more appropriate clothing should be chosen. Women may be expected to cover their shoulders and sometimes their hair, so carrying something lightweight like a sarong would be a good idea.

Dubai is another place where western European travellers can easily forget that they are in a strict Muslim environment. The authorities there are considering new laws that will ban certain types of dress outside the hotels and private beach areas. Guidelines are already in place and anyone going to Dubai would be advised to check before they pack.

In many places like the Canary Islands and the Greek islands, topless sunbathing is common and certain beaches are frequented by naturists, but in places like the Maldives, Fiji, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean topless sunbathing is actually illegal. The general advice is to cover up when away from beach areas, especially in religious places and city centres.