Posted 01 June 2009 by Simon Heptinstall

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Ever wandered around a foreign destination and been embarrassed at what your fellow British tourists are wearing? It could be Union Jack shorts or England football shirts in a quiet conservative village, bare feet or bikinis in a church, or hot pants and bare chests in a Muslim marketplace. It can leave you cringing...So it was good to hear that Wanderlust has today launched a campaign urging Brits to dress appropriately when travelling abroad.

They start off with a rant just like mine: Bikinis in Egyptian temples, topless sunbathing on the beaches of the Maldives, hot pants in Cambodia’s Killing Fields and builders’ bums in Goa are just some of the inappropriate sightings of Brits aboard, according to Wanderlust magazine. The independent travellers' magazine launched a campaign to urge Brits to dress appropriately when travelling overseas.

Wanderlust’s Editor-in-Chief, Lyn Hughes, comments: “As a nation we are travelling outside of Europe more frequently, especially with the arrival of cheap flights to destinations such as Morocco and Egypt. What is acceptable on the beaches of Greece may be a no-go in the Maldives, as the near-nude Katie Price discovered recently.

”The plea, issued in the latest June/July edition of the magazine, is calling for Brits to ‘cover up’ this summer. The magazine has also issued a useful guide online so that everyone knows the do’s and don’ts of clothing etiquette, at www.wanderlust.co.uk/coverup.“Showing too much flesh not only causes offence and embarrassment in many countries, but it can also lead to physical threats against tourists. In some areas, skimpy beachwear has provoked attacks on Western women. Our campaign is about getting British travellers to think about how they dress, be aware of local dress codes and cover up if necessary,” continued Hughes.

Wanderlust has issued a ‘What Not To Wear in Marrakech’ photo gallery which unveils some of the clothing shockers that are being seen increasingly frequently on the streets of this Muslim city. Each country has its own etiquette and it can be confusing. For example it’s acceptable to parade up and down the beaches of Copacabana in Brazil in the tiniest of bikinis, commonly known as candy floss, however topless sunbathing is prohibited. Camouflage clothing is illegal in most of the Caribbean.The magazine has some well known names behind the campaign already, including Julia Bradbury (Countryfile and Rough Guides TV presenter), Simon Reeve (TV explorer) and Daily Telegraph fashion guru Hilary Alexander. Julia Bradbury has some good advice, “I always carry a pashmina or sarong with me, which I can just throw on to cover-up if necessary, day or night.”

The ABC of how to dress abroad: 

Ask a local’s advice about what is acceptable – and get more than one point of view Beachwear is for the beach and hotel – keep it there Cover arms, legs and chest in any place of worship, including in Europe

Fashion Flashpoints: 

Egypt – Booming Red Sea tourism has caused ‘anything goes’ attitude in Nile temples Swahili Coast, Africa – Beach resorts are eroding Muslim morals in Kenya The Caribbean – Dress codes vary between islands. Camouflage print is illegal Morocco – Cheap flights have brought miniskirts, strappy tops and shorts to the still conservative streets of Marrakesh Catholic Europe – Cathedrals often have strict dress codesTo see a full list of tips and to read the A-Z of foreign fashion visitwww.wanderlust.co.uk/coverup. The latter will give you the lowdown on what the locals wear, and help you know your djellaba from your salwar kameez.