"appropriate" dress for western women

I'll be in Chennai later this year at a yoga school. I've been told by other American female yoga instructors (who have been to India more than a few times) that I should not show my ankles or shoulders, on the street, because they are considered erotic. Dressing in American yoga clothes (capri pants, camisoles, whatever) is fine at the school, but when in transit, cover up. They advise to bring long loose comfy pants and T-shirts to walk around in, no sleeveless shirts in public.

I'm not big on wearing shorts anyway, but since it will be in the 90s in September, can I get away with capri pants, showing my ankles? Or will this cause a riot? I also have red hair, which I've been told, will attract attention.

Just want to know the scoop!

I'm a guy, so take my advice with a grain of salt . . .

I think the whole white women have to cover up bit is vastly overstated. There is nothing that you can wear that will stop people staring at you (except a burqa). That said, Indian dress is infinitely more modest than in the west. Shoulders and cleavage are provocative--Indian women tend not to show them. Ankles? Saris and salwars reach the feet, but the Indian and white women with whom I have traveled in India wore capri pants and somehow managed not to stop traffic.

You can still wear whatever you want without offending people--there are no religious police around. It's just a matter of trying to mitigate the staring and establishing your own comfort level in a strange environment. If you are covered up, it will be a little easier.

Bah Humbug!

So true..

I agree with Merchant's assessment. But keep in minds its not just the exposure that will get you extra attention. Tight fitting clothes (relative to say a saree) will too.

I lived in Chennai for years. You can show your ankles believe me I did and I never had a problem. While I dont recommend showing your shoulders, many Indian college students do wear sleeveless salwar dresses, I did sometimes. If you were to wear one though, it would unfortunatly draw more attention. I dont think its fair that even though we are all women, there is somewhat of a double standard for Indian vs non-Indian women. I actually wore long flowery skirts too (with a slip of course). You will be fine in capris...as the other poster said bah humbug..

The bottom line is this: you can wear anything you want in India and you will be treated accordingly. There are no rules. You make your choices based on how you want to been seen and treated by others. That's it.

If you're not an Indian woman and you want to increase your chances of having a pleasant experience while you're in India, you can do that by dressing modestly (as defined by Indian culture - not your own).

Wearing capris pants and having red hair will not cause a riot. Walking around in a bikini probably would. Having said that, you will probably be more comfortable dressing as the other women around you are dressed, which means covered ankles and shoulders (not all Indian women do this - the teen/college crowd often wear Western style clothing and show more skin. That doesn't mean it's advisable for an American woman to do so).

Dressing modestly will not make people stop staring. People stare. It isn't particularly rude or lecherous (although it can be, just like anywhere), it's mostly just interest and curiosity. Dressing modestly will not keep you from getting ripped off, or from getting sick, or possibly groped or cat-called, although personally I never experienced groping or cat-calls, but then maybe I'm just ugly.

None of the above is the point of dressing modestly. IMO, the idea is to convey, "I understand I'm not in my own country, I did my homework and learned about the cultural norms here and I respect them," and also to increase your own comfort level as a traveller (a cotton salwar kameez is supremely suited to hot weather; Indian women know what they're doing, you know)! Generally speaking, when you demonstrate respect you get it in return.

I can also tell you from my own experiences that I get quoted different prices when I'm dressed in a salwar kameez as opposed to Western clothing. Hotel rooms, rickshaw rides, souvenirs, etc. tend to be more reasonable. The touts are less aggressive. Again, there's no law against wearing Western clothing. Wearing modest clothing is not a cure for all travellers' ills. It just comes down to your choice as to how you want to be perceived and treated.

Speaking very generally:
There is no dress you can put on in India, that will make you feel totally like you are in the environs you are more familiar with.

The most you can do is:
- Dress in a salwaar kaeez and other options people are telling you here.
- Be walking with a man.

These will minimize your chances of physical abuse, but there is nothing that will stop from being 'looked' at... if you're man or woman, young or old, good looking or ugly as hell (like me) .. it just doesn't matter.
Indian people get their eyes stuck on bright and shiny things...

Here's a fine example of 'appropriate' dressing IMO. (I hope i'm not infringing any copyrights using this pic...)
appropriate dress in India.

traceyam: wise words, as usual

If you dress in cool clothes that keep the sun off your skin you will avoid turning into a lobster with skin cancer. That seems to me to be a pretty good priority consideration.

Good advice Nick, I was wondering why nobody else pointed it out. Wearing a sleeveless top in chennai weather.. hm..... not advisable at all.. !!

Salwaar is so confortable to wear that I just love it. During train journeys just perfect and in hot weather not too hot (if cotton). Dupatta is also usual to wipe the sweat, cover your train bench, cover your trought in wind etc....

Thank you all for your replies. The yoginis who gave me the advice all study in Mysore, so maybe their advice is related to the region.

Believe me, I know all about wearing salwaars, I DO plan to wear them. I do not have the "ugly american" attitude wherein I am oblivious to local customs. Besides, half my friends think I will "go native" anyway, and the other half think I'm never coming back...

Just wanted to get some different opinions. I plan on bringing long baggy pants and T-shirts (short-sleeved) plus my yoga clothes (which I will NOT wear on the street as I would here. )

namaste

Spot on, traceyam. .

I have found Slawars to be very comfortable and cool. The dupata is a multi use piece of clothing - to shield your face from sun, exhaust, wind, dust or to use as someone else has said as a cover for a seat etc. The one piece of advice that I would give a westerner about wearing them is that they are considered like a dress - even though there are pants under the long tunic.... Over my time in India, I found Salwars to be more comfortable than western clothes including shorts and capris. Good Luck!

a general rule of thumb is this: don't dress like a whore. you'll see indian women wear revealing clothing. enjoy your trip!

gee, ya mean I can't bring my stripper shoes?