Balinese Traditional Clothes: What Tourists Must Wear to Bali Temples
Balinese traditional clothes are considered sacred and have been handed down for generations. They are an integral part of the Balinese culture. You may also see people wearing certain items to honor rituals, ceremonies, or festivals.
When traveling to Bali, there’s always a chance that you will coincide with a ritual, ceremony, or other event. To gain firsthand experience, you must dress appropriately. But don’t worry, it’s not at all hard nor as complicated as it seems.
Here are some things that you should know about Balinese traditional clothes before you go to the beautiful island of Bali!
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Why do the Balinese wear traditional clothes?
The term Balinese traditional clothes refers to the traditional clothing worn on the island of Bali. Balinese attire has so many different types and models. The clothes come in so many variant colors and have beautiful accessories. There are even specific types for both.
Traditional Balinese clothing has many purposes. It’s worn on many different occasions. The occasions can be anything from praying or rituals to weddings, toothfilling, cremation, and other ceremonies.
Some people wear traditional clothes to preserve their culture. Others do so because they want to honor rituals, ceremonies, or festivals by wearing certain pieces of clothing that have special meaning for these events. Wearing proper traditional Balinese clothes can also be a form of showing respect to the culture and elders.
Traditional Balinese clothing is also worn to formal events. The events, for example, are government meetings or meetings in the community or Banjar. With that, it can be understood that Balinese traditional clothes belong to the Balinese culture, and not necessarily to the religion. Thus, even non-Hindus can wear the attire.
The main difference is usually in the colour. To go to the temple, it’s more common to wear a white shirt or kebaya. For other events, it’s advised to wear more colorful Bali clothes. P.S. Only wear black to cremations.
Source: Flokq
The Color Used in Balinese Traditional Clothes
Colors have many meanings in the Balinese culture, particularly in traditional dressings. White and yellow are among the important colors that are used to signify purity. These two colors are normally used in Balinese traditional dressings especially when participating in religious events. On the contrary, colors like brown, purple, and red are normally worn by people on special occasions like weddings to denote passion and celebration. Black color is worn during funerals.
What do you wear when visiting the Balinese Temple
Bali’s temples have a distinct charm that draws tourists from all over. When visiting these sacred sites, people need to dress modestly. This practice shows respect for Bali’s rich culture and traditions, ensuring that we honor the local customs while we explore and enjoy these beautiful places.
When visiting Balinese temples, you don’t need to wear full traditional Balinese attire, but you should follow a certain level of modesty.
- Make sure to cover the shoulders and upper arm. This might be unusual for Western tourists, but in Balinese Hinduism, covering the body, especially during temple visits, symbolizes purity and cleanliness.
- Covering the thighs and legs when visiting temples in Bali is important because Balinese culture places a high value on modesty, especially in religious contexts. Modest dress helps maintain a serene and focused atmosphere within the temple, allowing worshippers and visitors to engage in their rituals and prayers without unnecessary distractions.
- Highly recommended not to wear singlets or tank tops, the reason is the same as we previously mentioned.
Most importantly, it is to wear a Sarong and Sash, for men can optionally wear Udeng. But this is not mandatory for visitors; big temples might provide a Sarong and a Sash for either rental or free. It’s best to bring your own Sarong and Sash since it’s easy to find in a Balinese traditional clothes store and avoid costing an extra penny whenever visiting the temple for a rental Sarong and Sash.
Source: Unsplash
The Essential Pieces of Balinese Traditional Clothes
| Clothing Item | Tourist Requirement | Rental Cost at Temple Entrance | Purchase Price at Local / Ubud Art Market | Practical Tips for Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamen / Sarong (Lower-body cloth wrap) |
Mandatory (Men & Women) |
Free (included in ticket price at major temples like Tirta Empul and Uluwatu) or rental for IDR 10,000 – 20,000 (~$0.70 – $1.30). | IDR 50,000 – 100,000 for basic cotton or rayon fabrics. (Can go upwards of IDR 250,000+ for authentic handwoven batik or songket). | Must cover the knees down to the ankles. Long loose trousers still require a sarong or kamen wrap over them. |
| Selendang / Sash (Waist tie or sash) |
Mandatory (Men & Women) |
Free (provided alongside the sarong) or rental for IDR 5,000 – 10,000. | IDR 15,000 – 35,000. Commonly sold together with a sarong as a matching set. | Tied securely around the waist over the sarong. It spiritually symbolizes self-control and binding worldly passions. |
| Kebaya / Modest Top (Upper-body covering) |
Modest Shirt Required (Traditional Balinese kebaya is optional) |
Not Rentable at temple ticket booths. Visitors must arrive already dressed modestly. | IDR 75,000 – 150,000 for a plain lightweight cotton kebaya or safari shirt at local market stalls. | Shoulders and upper chest must remain fully covered. A standard t-shirt with sleeves or a short-sleeve shirt is completely acceptable. |
| Udeng (Traditional male headdress) |
Optional (Unless attending sacred rituals) |
Rarely Rented for casual daytime tourist sightseeing. | IDR 25,000 – 50,000 for a pre-tied, ready-to-wear souvenir udeng. | Male visitors are not required to wear an udeng when merely touring temple grounds. |
Bali Temple Etiquette: Quick Do’s and Don’ts
What to Do:
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Tie on your sarong and sash before entering: Put both on before walking past the split gate (Candi Bentar). If you are not sure how to fold or knot the fabric properly, just ask the attendants at the front desk or a local guard (Pecalang) to lend a hand.
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Keep your upper body covered: Make sure your shoulders and chest are hidden. If you are exploring Bali on a scooter in a tank top, pack a lightweight linen shirt or scarf in your bag to throw on before you walk in.
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Wear shoes that slip on and off easily: Sandals or slip-on flats save time, as you will need to leave your footwear behind whenever stepping onto raised platforms or into sacred inner courtyards (Jeroan).
What to Avoid:
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Do not enter during your period: Under Balinese Hindu customs (Cuntaka), women on their period are asked to stay outside temple grounds for spiritual purification reasons.
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Skip low-cut or revealing tops: Even with a sarong wrapped securely around your waist, see-through shirts, plunge tops, and swimwear are considered disrespectful inside a holy site.
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Watch your step around offerings: Little square palm-leaf trays with flowers and incense (Canang Sari) sit on pathways, steps, and doorframes everywhere. Step around them, and never walk over burning incense.
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Stay off shrines and stone walls: It can be tempting to climb up for a better photo angle, but stone plinths (pelinggih) and temple walls are sacred altars, not photography props.
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Keep your head lower than the priest: If you run into an active ceremony, avoid walking directly in front of the congregation or standing tall over a seated priest (pemangku) while taking pictures.
Full of Symbolism in Balinese Traditional Clothes
Balinese attire carries a lot of meaning and symbolism. Every piece of clothing such as the attractive kebaya worn by Balinese women and udeng and saput by men carry meaning. The use of colors and ornaments in Balinese traditional attire does not only carry aesthetic value, but it also represents different aspects of life, including social status, religion and events. Colors like white and yellow represent purity.
Colors like gold and other bright colors show wealth and prosperity while certain designs may bring prosperity and also portray their spiritual beliefs. Balinese traditional attire does not center on being beautiful but it centers on the cultural and spiritual background of the Balinese people dating back to the olden days.
Embrace the Spirit of Bali with Traditional Attire Culture
Traditional Balinese attire is that extra sparkle that makes Balinese culture all the more special. There are several reasons why the people of Bali wear traditional clothing. Typically, it is a sign of respect for the elders, the Balinese Hindu religion, and the Balinese culture. Experiencing Balinese temple culture is just one piece of your trip. Discover more local activities with our top list of the best things to do in Ubud, and find a relaxing place to unwind after your day of exploring.
Now you’re all set and ready to dress in traditional Balinese clothing. As you prepare the attire, don’t forget to pick the perfect place to stay. If you are planning to stay with us in Villa Umah Shanti or a private villa in Ubud, you can also check out Ubud Villas Rental by Red Lotus Property to get more details on all our villa rentals in Bali, especially in Ubud. Enjoy your holiday!
