Tonga and Samoa - approriate dress

I am going to Tonga and Samoa, and read in LP that they are conservative regarding covering up.
I wanted to know can I wear vest tops or will I really
upset the locals? do skirts and shorts have to be long?

Yes, at least Samoa is certainly quite conservative regarding dress codes. But it very much depends on who you are and where you are. Could you please give some idea about your age, the country you come from and the kind of visit you intend (i.e. beach mainly, backpacking or staying with familiy or any kind of official business).

This would make it easier to give you a proper answer to your question. It is not only about upsetting locals alone, it is about letting you down yourself and make locals lose all respect towards you as well ...

Yes, I support wksamoa's opinion 120%. It all depends. If you are not sure what you'll be doing, whom you'll be meeting, I would suggest you to bring at least one set of proper attire.

Also, it is quite cool in Tonga at the moment, down to below 20 degrees Celsius in the morning & evening. I'm wearing a woolen jumper, jeans and socks, while eating a nice hot bowl of vegetable soup, to keep myself warm!!!

Another place to consider clothing is at the beach/swimming.

Although the main tourist beaches in Tonga and Samoa, such as Pangaimotu and Lalomanu are used to bikinis and Speedos, some of the more "off the beaten" track places, especially with villages nearby and locals who are not so used to many tourists may not be so used to such attire.

Samoans and Tongans tend to swim totally clothed but tourists are not expected to follow suit... Just tasteful swimwear that is not too revealing will be fine. Swimwear should be worn only at the beach.

The main thing is not upsetting people. They have seen visitors from overseas wearing the strangest things already, It is about how you want to be regarded. And it is about being responsible to yourself.

I use to go for a swim wearing a T-Shirt and shorts. And I make sure that my shoulders are covered. Not because of any dress code (as a male I would not have to worry even about a bare chest at the beach) but simply because of the tropical sun. It is wise precaution as well that people here cover up a bit more than one might do elsewhere. And to wear loose clothing instead of tight is a lot more comfortable as well. So be wise too - don't expose your skin and allow ventilation.

Regarding dress code see it this way:

Bare skin is unpopular. Nobody considers it to be attractive, posh or whatever. Not even the young people. The more skin you show the less you are regarded. Simple as that.

Even tight small tops and small shorts are certainly tolerated in Apia today and at the beach anyway - but, quite frankly, that is what little girls wear in Samoa. Some teenagers as well. That is why I asked about your age :) When you walk around with that as an adult and especially when aged 25+ years you will hear a lot of giggling. You don't upset the people - you make a fool of yourself.

You will find out that people adress you more respectfully when you dress up properly. Like everywhere in the world. Shoulders covered, clothes not skin tight and legwear at least close to knee long. Not always really necessary but certainly never wrong.

BTW - sometimes I see young male white tourists in Samoa walking around in town bare chested and with an ie lavalava. If they would only know what a laughing stock they make of themselves ...

Thanks guys, don't worry, I wasn't planning on wearing Ibiza style dress!! I just needed to know the score so I can get some things before I leave OZ.
BTW I'm 25 and English, so my pale skin will probably appreciate being covered!

" use to go for a swim wearing a T-Shirt and shorts. And I make sure that my shoulders are covered. Not because of any dress code.....but simply because of the tropical sun. It is wise precaution as well that people here cover up a bit more than one might do elsewhere."

How very true-one always ends affected more by the sun that one imagines-it's powerful and unrelenting.

So many holidays are negatively impacted by sunburn.