Dress code in Goa?

Me and my girlfriend will be in Goa in November. We will be in south goa for 3 days and 6 days in North Goa. We are both from the US and dress like it. Was wondering if there was a dress code me and girlfriend would have to stick to? When i went to Thailand, she wore a bikini and i went topless with swimming trunks to the beach or pool. And when we went out to party she would wear shorts and low cut shirt and i would wear shorts and a t-shirt, if not both in jeans. Is it appropriate for me to wear sleeveless shirts? Cause it get's hot. And after searching this site, i'm gettin mixed reviews as of what is acceptable for women. She likes wearing light clothing, short and low. I like wearing shorts and sleevless shirts if not topless. Please help, I only have 15 more days left.

Bikini on the beach is normal among western people, and ok.
The same goes with your hotel pool.
But be prepared to be stared at, especially female...
Sleevess shirt for you is quite ok too.

Shorts leave a lot for mosquitos to bite though.

The deal with dressing in India is not so much what is "acceptable" (India is a free country, and people can wear anything they want, including nothing but sacred ash and waistchain).

It's more about how you wish to be treated--by hotel staff, shopkeepers, cops, passersby, etc. India is a conservative country (indeed, the world is dominated by socially conservative countries), so wearing more clothes, as opposed to fewer, will place you closer to the center of local cultural norms.

Around the vicinity of a beach you can wear just about anything,,,,,,,,,
Venture into a shopping area then wear a little more.
In the last 30+ years Goans have seen or heard about it all before they won't be shocked nor will goans within reason ogle you. It's the groups of young lads from out of state that will do that.
Just by asking this question tells me that you are concious tourists so go with that, If you feel ok with what you are wearing in the place you are in, Thats fine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Enjoy your trip & thanks for asking, I wish a lot more of my fellow countrymen would be as aware as you are. but I won't drift down that road here.

Have a great time

Yes, I was just about to add that, be yourself - both female and male

Something over knees and shoulders for woman is very appropriate in the cities and when visiting locals.
When wearing shorts, a long skirt you just wrap around your waist is very handy.

Remember, cloths also protect you from sun and mosquitos.

Enjoy your trip!

I'll be there too in November.

Shorts & t-shirts are fine & almost the norm anywhere in Goa for westerners, Even in religious areas like Old Goa you wouldn't be frowned upon,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Yes, but as there are various lenght of shorts, those very short shorts, which look like panties, are practical to put under your wrapped skirt. I was adviced not to wear shorts or tops when visiting temples and churches in Old Goa.

Merchant gives sound advice. I really find it difficult to understand why there are some many questions on how to dress..

Seriously, how difficult is it for a tourist to look around and see what the locals are wearing and make appropriate adjustment to their own attire? A good rule of thumb is to start of being conservative and then reveal as deemed appropriate by the environment. As an example, IMHO, a tourist who goes to any beach topless on her first day would essentially be stupid.

I think the dress code in Goa is slightly different from the rest of India,,,,,,,,,,,,,

unfortunately, crvlr, common sense ain't too common anymore....
what you say about starting out conservative, is right on.

I did that in Chennai -- before I left I was told "NO BARE ARMS! ALWAYS HAVE SLEEVES!". Then I got there and found out that was not true at all.

Indeed it is different. Nowhere else in India other than Goa will you find a 19 year old Hindu village girl wearing a skirt.

awesome thanks for the info guys. I'll direct this thread towards my girlfriend so she knows what to wear. If we get in trouble or anything, it will be her fault. It seems i can wear whatever.

hey its tuxedos for men and gowns for women. cant go anywhere without them.