Dress code

It'd be a stretch to say there's a "dress code" per se in ALL of South and Central America; obviously, from one country to the next - from one city to the next - you'll encounter different standards. For starters, I'm assuming you're female? (rosy?) More often than not, you're looking to avoid unwanted attention from men (who are, throughout most of Latin America, pretty aggressive). I suspect, if you're admittedly "fair," you're going to stand out regardless; if you're blond, you'd probably have to wear a space suit to avoid stares and lewd comments. Exposing a lot of skin is typically considered "provocative," and many men might make many assumptions about you if you're, say, wearing short-shorts and a teensy-weensy tank-top. It might be viewed as an invitation.

Of course, there's also a difference in how this is perceived in an urban vs. a rural setting. I assure you, the women in Buenos Aires aren't wearing sweaters to the beach in December, and you'll see plenty of skirts twirling on dance floors in Punta del Este. Take a cue from the locals as to what is considered acceptable (though realize that you're still going to deal with more crap than they will). Most female travelers I know favor things like peasant blouses and loose, flowing skirts - things that are cool, chic, and still cover you up. Also, it's worth mentioning that if you're at all busty, be sure to wear a bra.

Chris
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