Unless you want to look like a tourist, which I think is highly unbeneficial (cabbies rip you off, people stare at you etc, the bouncer at Decapolis will deny you entrance but tell you “can sit in the pool area…” ) I highly recommend my “What to Wear in Panama Tips.” Spread the love.

Men

Leave the Hawaiian shirts, or anything of the like, at home. These are called “dirty gringo” shirts for a reason. Even if you are a dirty gringo, it’s better to remain incognito, no?
Panamanians are used to the heat and get on with their lives by wearing long pants all the time. You will stick out in shorts, but if you have no problem with that and insist on comfort go for it. Bring pair of comfortable walking shoes but not humongous white Nikes…incognito.
For going out bring a dress shirt and jeans or nice pants. I see young men wearing fashion-y tight t-shirts with jeans a lot. It’s a pretty casual, but don’t wear your Tevas out with a Red Sox shirt.  (Don’t even bring the former unless you plan on hiking underwater).

Women

I always wear dressy sandals and dresses in the city, though don’t wear anything too tight during the day (especially if you are blond) unless you want to get cat called. Actually, never mind, you will get cat called even if you are wearing a potato sack, or a space suit. Trust me, I tested it out.

Women do dress up in restaurants and at bars…for women that could even mean a pair of nice jeans and a tank top which is a popular look.

Its’ so steamy and hot and humid and balmy here. Bring dresses skirts and tank tops…trust me you wont have enough. But I will admit, sometimes the airconditioning is extreme. So bring a few light summery sweaters and cardigans to go over outfits. Im sitting here at work gripping my tea like a hot water bottle because I forgot mine today.

Beach

Really at the beach wear whatever you want. Bring sunscreen. Wear a bikini. Leave that bathing suit with the skirt and the ruffle behind…the women of panama don’t seem to have the same modesty body issues that us Puritans have…but I haven’t seen any thong bikinis either.  I have seen some Speedos, but I’m pretty sure those were European tourists behaving badly.

Cultural Differences

Pamama Loves:

Metallic belts, bags etc. do it. Mix it match it. Work it.

Tighter is better. If you are a 10, squeeze yourself into an 8, or maybe a 6.

Panama Loathes:

Vintage ( a co-worker asked another co-worker, “Why does Robin dress like an old lady? Does she not like the way she looks? It’s not like she’s ugly!”) I guess the irony and fabulousness of vintage clothes is lost in translation.

Also leave your cargo pants and crocs… just because they are wrong.

Come on, do the right thing.

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Filed under: Culture on September 1st, 2008