A Question from a French Polynesia Greenhorn

I'm going to be in Tahiti, Bora Bora, and assorted dots-in-the-ocean next summer for the eclipse. I have been unable to find knowledgeable first-hand advice on what is "acceptable" dress for tourists there from anyone who is not trying to sell us clothing. I'd rather not look like a FIRST-TIME, OBNOXIOUS, AMERICAN from more than 100 meters away either in town, traveling around the islands, at a beach, or snorkel/dive site. What should we wear or is this a hopeless request regardless? We have been advised to pack sparingly because of weight restrictions on some of the local air charters. We can't really pack enough to "blend in" with what we may see when we get there.

Thanks.

Same as you'd wear to Hawaii.

Im not sure if thats totally good advice, though Im not American and never been to Hawaii. Id have thought that , especially in Honolulu, it was the done thing to dress like "an obnoxious American".

I know OP sounds like a real troll here but he has made many excellent, helpful posts in the U.S.A. branch. Out of respect for that I tried to give him a straightforward answer. (Google images of the Obamas on vacation in Hawaii. Don't they look nice?)

Another option would be to dress like a Tahitian - Laker T-shirt, baggie shorts, basehall cap and flip-flops.

Huge Australian surfer shorts, t-shirt with a Hawaiian print, flip-flops also work fine. :-)

Women usually wear summer dresses.
Buy a local pareo (sarong) and wear it to the beach as a cover for your bathing suit. I wore mine (I have several) almost everywhere except in Tahiti.
My husband wore his usual khaki shorts and polo shirts.

Edited by: NukuHiva2

Thank you for the compliment and vote of confidence silvanocat.

Mandja, I have the same problem as you. I've never been to Hawaii either. The other problem I see with using Hawaii as a guide is that it's also full of OBNOXIOUS AMERICANS. That's not surprising since Hawaii is an American State. I have already been advised elsewhere (again, second hand information) to leave my LOUD shirts at home when I go to French Polynesia.

I'm also curious about beach wear. Where do French Polynesian beach "dress codes" fall on a one to ten scale if Coney Island is a one and Black's Beach is a ten?

Thanks, NukuHiva2

I haven't been to either beaches. Where is Black's?

In French Polynesia, any bathing suit is fine: baggy American, speedo European, whatever. Tiny bikini or big one piece for women and anything in between. Strangely enough, I do not remember having seen any topless women.

It is here NukuHiva2.

zelsadad...OBNOXIOUS...wow, guess you've never traveled with the Germans and French and Russians and Orientals. Yes, wear your cap backwards and those goofy looking shorts/pants like the nba players!

In Tahiti/Bora Bora, pretty much everything goes. They get enough foreign visitors that I think they are used to everything. Huge cruise ships stop in Papeete and their passengers wear the typical "cruise ship attire" (or what I expect that would be, never having been on one). You can buy all the latest surf wear in Papeete as well. Most locals walk around in pareo and baggy t-shirt as was mentioned. Locals in high-end stores catering to foreigners wear suits or other "western-style" dressy clothes. I walked around in thongs (flipflops), shorts, and a tshirt/tank top most of the time, and wore my bikini to the beach and was fine. If you're visiting some of the less touristy islands, women should/could wear longer shorts/skirts out of respect for the culture, but, again, they're used to pretty much everything. Just avoid the khaki short/vest combo and you won't be too obnoxious...! :)

Thanks, folks.

Looks like no one mentioned that you should consider stuff that is light in weight and dries fast.

Zip-leg nylon cargo pants work well as well as synthetic shirts. In the US REI is a good source.

There are some great sandals around now that have excellent support.

IMO cotton does not work well in the tropics... too heavy and too long to dry. The reason the locals use it is because it is cheap and they have all the time in the world for their stuff to dry.

My wife and I go for months in the tropics with a 15.5 lb (7KG) pack each. That will give you 5 full sets of cloths and two pairs of shoes... usually sandals and amphibs. I usually throw in one collared shirts as well as a fleece for flying and a LW rain jacket.

Sorry H2ooh, I hate to wear anything synthetic in warm and hot weather. My choice: thin cotton and linen.
However, it's true that synthetics dry faster.

NukuHiva2, where do you find bathing suits that are made of "thin cotton or linen" instead of synthetic fabrics? Don't those pose a "wet T-shirt" problem when they are wet?

Zeldasdad,

You are sly. :-)
Bathing suit is an exception. I wear it only to the beach. No hikes with "wear your bathing suit underneath" for me. :-)

{quote:title=NukuHiva2 wrote:}{quote}
No hikes with "wear your bathing suit underneath" for me. :-)

I won't go there. ;-)

Thanks again for your helpful suggestions.