wearing Indian dress...

I want to know people's opinions on this.

I lived in India for just under a year and acquired a lot of native clothing, particulary punjabi suits (salwar kameez). I didn't bring a lot of western clothing, and simply felt more comfortable dressing as my co-workers and host sisters did.

When we went recently, I took some of my favorite suits back with me (I missed wearing them!). My fiance insisted that smiles from the locals meant they were making fun of me, because they thought I looked silly and out of place.

I think that they smile because they love their own suits and like to see that westerners wear them too. This is my perception from what my Indian friends tell me, and even from stangers complimenting my "fine Punjabi attire." My friend who travelled to Japan thought similarly, that when she wore the kimono to a ceremony it was seen as respectful to their culture.

What do you think?

Shannon

I haven't been to India yet but I don't think it's quite the same as wearing kimono because even in Japan, kimono is not common attire for most people. If a westerner was wearing a kimono my (Japanese) wife would probably think it was cool but then point out (to me) where it was tied incorrectly or that the pattern or style didn't match the season. (She does that even when Japanese people are not wearing kimono "right").

Since salwar kameez is everyday, comfortable clothing I would tend to support your reaction. It's not like you're wearing something outlandish.
Or maybe the locals were looking at you and thinking, look at that poor girl she's wearing last year's fashions.

I am very much interested in what the locals have to say on this matter (Westerners wearing local Indian attire). This is my first day in Delhi, in the Indian office of my Europe based company and I am totally confused - whether I shocked the locals or not. I am wearing pretty much the same I would wear in any other of our offices, cotton casual trousers and a t-shirt. I am a female by the way.

The guy I was having a meeting with was wearing a suit and a tie, but the girls in the office are wearing saris (or what look like a sari to me). As a fall back plan I took a shawl with me today that I have now put on my shoulders. This is probably as far as "local" I can go without looking ridiculous, but i was actually planning to buy salwar kameez to wear in the office. So I would be interested to hear what Indians have to say on all this.

I alternated between salwar kameez and Western clothing during three recent months in India -- but the Western clothing had long trousers (one set was almost as baggy as salwar). And tops that came to mid-thigh -- not long enough to work as a kameez, but I was respectably covered.

Lots of people came up to me when I wore salwar kameez and mentioned "I see you are wearing Indian dress." Not exactly a compliment, but nobody ever told me I wasn't wearing it correctly.
And I was very comfortable!

Correct !

Had they been making fun of you, they'd have laughed with their hands covering their face, not smiled.

Hi Shannon , definitely they dont think as funny, i saw many foreigner females wearing salwar ,its casual dress ,and North India its formal wear too.

But for us its really nice to see them wearing our Indian dress,
i saw the other day,WW wearing salwar, makes her so cute ehhehheh.

So Enjoy India &be comfortabel wearing Indian dress )

radz

radz, if you take out the reference to God, the quote in your signature is going to make my quote of the day (or the week!)
it sums up India to me in one sentence. if that is possible.

Absolutely acceptable to local people. Be sure what you are wearing. Much of India accepted salwar-kameez as a dress of convinence and comfort.
But be careful with the sari. Even though this is a simple long (about 6meters!) piece of cloth, wearing is and art. And walking around wearing one indeed requires special skill. It would make you definitely look awkward if you don’t wear the sari properly. Invariably this can attract an ‘extra’ stare !

Also sari is worn somewhat differently at different parts of India.A tight blouse (not the one size fit all!) is needed as the torso wear. And the sari is worn over a full-length skirt. Wearing sari without anyone’s help is a nightmare if you are not familiar. Just imagine that ‘knot’ get loosen at a public place! You’ll land up entangled in the sari.
A salwar- kameez is much more straightforward. Just buy & wear a pair that suits your pocket & size .
And you are street ready!!

is salwar kameez sold with the trousers as a set? do they have to be matching colour?

As set.
A pair cost you anywhere from rs150 to the range of rs10000.

Yes,salwar you get as set,it not be matching colors.You can get top set "Kurtha" only,can waer mix and match with jeans.
Like "Dilli haat" at Delhi ,you wil get Kurthies short one ,long one ..
Price vary,you can get from as beach said Rs150 to rs 25,000.(This range is only designer set )

Volga Your suggestion has been accepted..YAH IT SOUNDS WELL &DEFINES INDIA..thanks for the suggestion.

I think you're right - my friend wore kimono only to a ceremony.

It's a bit like wearing a sari I think. It was repinned, reset, repleated for me all the time, by random but well-meaning strangers.

I had read that it is respectful to wear Indian clothing in India, so planned to get my travel wardrobe on arrival. When I told my good Indian friend this, she looked at me like I was crazy. I explained why and she agreed, but said that in Mumbai and Goa, western clothing is very appropriate - given that it is modest.

My issue is that Indian clothes are better designed for that climate. Colorful mid-length sleeved western clothing can look doudy in my opinion, where the Indian clothes are so beautiful.

Now am planning a mix - mostly western wear in Mumbai and mostly Salwar Kameez in Kerala.

i was in India in November and December last, and wore either long baggy western trousers with a long t-shirt, or salwar kameez. i never wore the salwar kameez without a local commenting on the suitability on the dress. It was comfortable when travelling by train overnight, and it seemed appropriate when visiting temples or travelling off the beaten track. we did a camel cart trip in the shekawati district, where we stopped at local farms where the women of the family still covered their faces. i was definitely more comfortable in local dress and felt it showed respect.

i also visited the golden temple on the gurus birthday, which made it a very special day, and at the time i was there, early in the morning, i was the only westerner present. again it seemed right to be dressed in local dress, particularly having the dupatta to cover my head.

i'm sure the locals prefer to see westerners in salwar kameez rather than in shorts and vest t-shirts!

I'd just ransomed this from the tailor and set out to meet Shansas and Anju for lunch...

Sorry you missed the kameez made of wonderful Cuttacki khadi, Radz; maybe I can find a photo of that one, too!