Choosing the right clothing for a country can be a daunting task. There's a delicate balance between dressing for the environment and being respectful to local customs, which can definitely limit options.
When people think of Sumatra they think hot, humid, tropical. This is very true for the cities, but surprisingly the villages and jungle can be cooler at times and quite comfortable. In Ketambe, the shade from the trees and gentle breezes flowing through the mountains mean the mornings can be a pleasant 23ºC, early afternoon heats up to around 30ºC and evenings can bring rain and a drop in temperature to 20ºC. When travelling through cities however, humidity can skyrocket and temperatures heat up to 30-40ºC. Whether it's dry or wet season can also have an effect on what to prepare for.
Locals have a tradition of covering up with clothing more than westerners generally would. Whether travelling through a Christian or Muslim area, it's appreciated for both men and women to cover their chest, shoulders and legs down to the knee. This may not be your usual choice for holiday clothes back home, but by following these guidelines you will be able to fit in more when amongst locals and earn a few extra easy respect points. Women are not expected to wear a head scarf unless entering a mosque.
With these factors combined, the best clothes to wear in Sumatra are knee or full length loose pants with light shirts or t-shirts. This is extra helpful for trekking too, as you can protect your skin from sunburn and your legs from scratches and cuts from branches.
To keep cool, certain fabrics can definitely help, such as lightly-woven cotton, linen and merino wool. There are also many brands out there advertising 'cool fabric technology' in synthetic material which can be a good option. But there's no need to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe. So long as you have a few changes of clothes and an open mind for the weather, you should adapt fairly quickly.
Most people in Sumatra wear sandals year round. You can definitely get by with just this footwear, but for jungle trekking it’s a good idea to wear closed in trekking shoes or runners with socks. Paths can get slippery and leeches are easier to avoid with legs and toes covered.
On your trek there will be many opportunities to swim in rivers and waterfalls, so don't forget to bring swimmers too. When you're away from the village, its perfectly acceptable to swim in your regular swimming clothes, and change with a towel wrapped around you.
Top off your list with a rain jacket and possibly a light jumper for the evenings and you'll fit in just like a local.
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