It depends on the area you're in. Turkey is a majority Muslim country with a secular government. The major tourist areas tend to have a lot of Western attire. However, as you move off the beaten road, you see more conservative clothing fashions and it may be more appropriate to wear longer pants/dresses and sleeves. That said, the temperature also plays a factor.

As a side note, one interesting memory I brought back from Istanbul was the ~10 minutes that my wife, in a short sleeve T-shirt and knee-height cargo pants, spent talking with a Saudi woman in a burka while we were waiting in line for the "whipped potato" street food item on Istikal Caddesi...

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious on the dress here. Any suggestions? Is it similar to the rest of Europe?

i felt more comfortable in longer dresses or pants.

I'm curious on the dress here. Any suggestions? Is it similar to the rest of Europe?

Anonymous wrote:15:55 here. Istanbul felt super safe. I stayed in the Taksim area... in a super-cheap, somewhat "seedy" street off the main drag. I walked to the bus station for the airport bus at 5 a.m. and it felt SO safe. People wree actually still up and about, just ending their night. I can't speak for areas outside of Taksim, though.

I stayed in Sultahamet this past weekend and felt completely safe late at night.

OP, you mentioned the Turquoise coast as another option, and I think something like that is doable as long as you don't try to venture too far. That would give you ruins, beaches, and some pretty cool scenery. That time of year it wouldn't be as busy either. Fly into Dalaman and pick a town within 1-2 hours as a base. I really liked Dalyan, Fethiye is also quite popular. I've also heard great things about the tiny town of Patara but that's getting a bit far.

15:55 here. Istanbul felt super safe. I stayed in the Taksim area... in a super-cheap, somewhat "seedy" street off the main drag. I walked to the bus station for the airport bus at 5 a.m. and it felt SO safe. People wree actually still up and about, just ending their night. I can't speak for areas outside of Taksim, though.