Last Updated on June 7, 2026 by Eve Dawes
Bali outfit ideas matter more than most destinations because you are genuinely dressing for several completely different environments in the same day. Temple visits require covered knees. Waterfall treks mean you need to think about getting soaked. Rice terrace walks demand comfortable footwear. Dinner at a rooftop restaurant calls for something entirely different again. And the heat, humidity and mosquitoes need factoring in too! I spent two weeks in Bali wearing everything from a Zimmermann swimsuit inside a waterfall cave to a Splendid maxi dress at a UNESCO rice terrace. These are the outfit ideas that actually worked!
Eve Dawes is a luxury travel and lifestyle editor, Revolve ambassador, and founder of Glamour and Gains. She spent two weeks traveling Bali and Lombok with her husband, visiting Ubud, the Jatiluwih UNESCO rice terraces, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, multiple waterfalls, Lombok, and the Gili Islands. All outfit recommendations are based on personal experience wearing each item in Bali. This article contains affiliate links and gifted items. All opinions are my own.
What to Wear to Bali Temples
A sarong and sash are mandatory at every temple and most entrances provide them included in the ticket price. In practice, shoulders do not need to be fully covered as even the temple-provided coverups for water purification ceremonies are sleeveless. A modest top that is not cropped or revealing is all that is required. I brought a long sleeve t-shirt with me to change into but was told the strapless dress I was wearing was fine.
One rule that is less talked about but consistently observed: long hair should be tied neatly. Avoid leaving it loose inside temple grounds. A low bun or neat ponytail is the respectful approach.
What to Wear to Bali Waterfalls
This is where most people get it wrong and wear flip-flops. For waterfall visits, wear bug repellant, a lightweight outfit and sturdy footwear. Preferably something quick drying with good grips like water shoes as the rocks and steps are slippery and the current can be stronger than it looks. A swimsuit underneath whatever you are wearing is the obvious move since you will almost certainly end up in the water. And don’t forget a towel.
I wore a Zimmermann swimsuit at one and a green Left on Friday one piece at another and both held up beautifully at every waterfall we visited. Protect your hair before you go in with a pre-swim leave-in conditioner. If your hair’s anything like mine, the water will tangle it without protection. This makes it super easy to comb through.
What to Wear at Bali Rice Terraces
Comfortable sandals or flat shoes are essential since you’re walking on uneven ground. Bright neon colors are not ideal at Ubud rice terraces, nor are ones that attract mosquitoes like black, red, orange, and cyan (blue-green). Instead, stick to Earthy tones like olive, beige, brown, rust, and cream which blend better with the natural surroundings.
White also works beautifully against the green and gold of the terraces as a contrast. A maxi dress or midi dress in a breathable fabric keeps you cool and photographs well. Bring a hat as you are in direct sun for much of the walks at both Jatiluwah Rice fields and Tegalalang Rice Terrace.
What to Wear to Bali Beach Clubs & Resorts
Pack at least two or three swimwear options. A classic bikini is perfect for sunbathing while a stylish one piece offers more coverage for active water sports. Beach clubs in Bali range from casual to high-end so check the dress code before you arrive. A cover-up that doubles as an evening layer is worth having in your bag.
Bali Outfit Ideas for the Day
These are all of the Bali outfits I packed and wore, as well as some other options in case mine are sold out. I opted for mainly long dresses for both the day and night to help prevent mosquito bites and to be a bit more modest.
What to Wear for Bali Dinners and Nights Out
For nightlife and dining in Bali, smart-casual works well. I prefer to get glammed up, as that’s my personal aesthetic, but sundresses, linen, and sandals hit the right note for most restaurants.
For upscale beach clubs or restaurants, check the dress code as some require more formal attire. I wore these dresses to dinner in Ubud and they were exactly right, elegant without being overdressed. But you could also get away with being a lot more casual.
Tips for what to wear in Bali
- Always wear SPF. Look for reef friendly options if you’re going in the ocean.
- Always wear mosquito repellant and pack it with you so you can keep topping it up.
- Choose colors that complimented the environment.
- Flat shoes and sandals tend to work best as the surfaces aren’t the most even and there tends to be lots of stairs. I wore wedges and block heels a couple of times but most of the time stuck to my gold flats.
Bali Outfit Essentials to Pack
These are the pieces and Bali travel essentials that earned their place in the suitcase and never sat unused:
A white or neutral maxi dress in linen or cotton. It works for temples, rice terraces, lunch, and dinner. Mine was Splendid and it travelled perfectly without creasing.
A quality one piece swimsuit. Left on Friday for something polished, Zimmermann if you want the full luxury moment at a waterfall or beach club.
Water shoes. Non-negotiable for waterfall visits. Lightweight, quick dry, and worth every penny.
A coverup for the beach or pool is always a resort wear essential.
SPF 50 hydrating sunscreen. You’re in direct tropical sun from the moment you leave your villa.
Waterproof setting spray. If you’re planning on wearing makeup, especially if you’re going to the waterfalls or beach, Mehron is a game changer!
A large UPF 50 sunhat.
A designer bag that travels well. My Mini Dior Book Tote came to every rice terrace and temple and photographs beautifully without looking out of place.
What NOT to Wear in Bali
The two main rules are simple: do not wear beachwear anywhere except the beach, pool and gym, and dress properly in a sarong and shawl for temple visits. Beyond that Bali is relaxed and forgiving. Heavy fabrics, thick denim, and anything that does not breathe will make you genuinely miserable in the heat and humidity.
These are the pieces I packed but didn’t wear: a backless mini dress that felt too revealing, Chanel sandals which felt too flashy, and a white t-shirt I’d packed to wear at the temples but they said I didn’t need.
Bali Outfit Ideas FAQ
A sarong and sash must be worn and hair must be tied up. Most temples provide sarongs at the entrance included in the ticket price so you do not need to pack temple-specific outfits.
Yes. White works beautifully at rice terraces, temples, and for dinners out. It photographs well against the lush green landscape and is appropriate everywhere.
Flat sandals or sneakers for general sightseeing, water shoes for waterfall visits, and a smarter sandal for evenings out. Heels are impractical for most of Bali’s uneven terrain.
Only at temples and in rural villages. Everywhere else Western dress is perfectly acceptable. A light cover-up in your bag handles any situation that arises.
A one piece that stays in place in strong currents. Left on Friday and Zimmermann both held up beautifully across multiple waterfall visits.
For more Bali travel style and luxury lifestyle content, follow Eve on Instagram at @glamourandgains.
