Lilongwe - Post Report Question and Answers
What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual. Formal dress for Marine Ball. Business attire for meetings with government officials. - Jul 2020
Business casual to business. - Feb 2020
Formal dress is occasionally required for high-level meetings and evening events.Regular work clothes at the embassy tend to be business casual - think khakis, a collared shirt, and a tie. Or khakis and a polo if you don't have any meetings/engagements. I keep a suit and a blazer on a hook on my door for emergencies. - Sep 2018
Dress is more casual. Most locals wear a type of brightly-colored fabric called chitenge (chi-ten-jay). Formal dress is rare except for a few events a year. - Jul 2017
Business if interacting with the Ministries to business casual for office. There are a few formal events where nicer clothes are required but not mandatory. - Oct 2016
Formal--Malawians like to dress conservatively and look smart. - Sep 2013
Conservative in both places. - Sep 2012
Business casual at work, suits for those in government, conservative pants/shorts for the weekends or around town. - Sep 2009
Smart casual. More formal if you interact with the government. - Jul 2009
