Specific female clothing question

february · Jul 5th, 2009, 19:50

I'm arriving in India in a few weeks time and will be visiting Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Diu and finally Mumbai. I'd like ask a specific question re clothing for women - the answer to which I'm undecided on after reading hundreds of posts on what women can wear

Unlike a lot of IMers I'd prefer not to wear Salwar Kameez.

By wearing the SK some might blend in more, be more respected and generally enjoy a hassle free break, but I think this only works if someone feels comfortable and confident in what they're wearing.

First, the SK is just not me

and second, I suffer from a personal condition that stops me from being able to wear some materials, particularly in the heat, so have control over what I can wear is important.

By making the decision not to adopt Indian dress am I going with the wrong attitude?

One contact of mine suggested I wear a Sari and another suggested the SK. However my brother's partner said she wore cargo pants and long sleeved t-shirts in the cooler months she travelled. All have been to similar places.

I'd prefer to wear linen trousers and t-shirts, loose enough to ensure comfort, but with enough material to ensure my shoulders and legs are covered, and of course not too fitted.

I'm being careful not to disrespect or offend and hope I haven't by completely discounting the SK!

Thoughts on this would much appreciated, along with recommendations of where I should be paying most attention to what I wear.

Many thanks

Haylo · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by february

By wearing the SK some might blend in more, be more respected and generally enjoy a hassle free break, but I think this only works if someone feels comfortable and confident in what they're wearing.

I wear SK in India because it's cool and protects me well from the sun and it's cool in the heat, but there's no reason for anyone to wear anything in particular (within reason!) Wearing a saris isn't something that's particularly easy, but if you're keen to give it a go, you could buy one cheap cotton one and see how you get on with it.

Quote:

I suffer from a personal condition that stops me from being able to wear some materials, particularly in the heat, so have control over what I can wear is important.

Well if you want advice about clothing, it would help if you told us exactly what you can wear. My SK are all of a very light cotton, which I find to be the coolest fabric.

Whatever you wear, it will have to be something very light because the areas you're visiting are very hot and humid.

Quote:

By making the decision not to adopt Indian dress am I going with the wrong attitude?

Not at all, it's only clothes.

SK does not have any particular cultural or religious significance it's just the style of clothing that many local people happen to wear much of the time, and which is practical and cheap. Many Indian women wear western clothes, and if you do, nobody will bat an eye.

Some people have said they weren't so sure about wearing items of army style clothing, as that's not really popular in India, so I won't recommend cargo pants 100%, but if you do wear cargo pants you won't be arrested for impersonating a soldier or anything.

Just wear what's going to be practical for you and what you're going to be comfortable with. There isn't going to be an exam...

annerobyn · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:15

You will be just fine in cargo pants and a loose top. Certainly no disrespect there. As long as your tops are not low cut, short sleeve is good although you will find many girls wearing sleevless but that may be questionable. Longish pants, I mean anything but shorts, will be perfect. The secret is to be cool and comfortable. Regardless of what you wear you will be noticed - but you can ease that "sticking out" by being dressed modestly. No point in "sticking out" AND being stared at for inappropriate attire.
Bottom line is go, have a good time - people will be interested in YOU and not what you are wearing (unless it's really suggestive). Your will experience many new things that you will forever remember. Have fun!

Nick-H · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:15

Quote:

I'm being careful not to disrespect or offend and hope I haven't by completely discounting the SK!

Didn't they tell you it is compulsory, when you got your visa?

... You can wear anything you like and feel comfortable in. You already understand that many parts of India are more conservative than your own culture, and that will govern how see-through, revealing, or figure-hugging the clothes you choose to wear should be.

That is all you need to know. You do not need to worry about any such thing!

Be comfortable, and enjoy India!

cityMONK · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:31

(Unlike a lot of IMers I'd prefer not to wear Salwar Kameez. )

wear any thing which blends with weather here.bombay and south are humid, here u can very well do with cotton skirts and tops.
but rajasthan is dry and hot even locals here(village folks)
wear kind of skirt (lehnga) and top(choli.)very simple dress.trick is that it should cover your body fully.it will help when u move in sun.yes lehnga choli of cotton is perfect fro u.
i have seen many forigners wearing these and u mingle with public well.this dress will do in delhi and gujrat aswell.

february · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Didn't they tell you it is compulsory, when you got your visa?

LOL unfortunately not. Looks like I'm up a creek without a paddle

Quote:

Originally Posted by annerobyn

Bottom line is go, have a good time - people will be interested in YOU and not what you are wearing (unless it's really suggestive). Your will experience many new things that you will forever remember. Have fun!

Thank you Anne, now I have my only concern out of the way I'll be sure to enjoy myself!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haylo

Well if you want advice about clothing, it would help if you told us exactly what you can wear. My SK are all of a very light cotton, which I find to be the coolest fabric.

Thanks Haylo. As I said above I'd prefer to wear linen trousers and t-shirts. Judging by all of the responses this will undoubtedly be OK and will rule out an examination

Overall, great response everyone. When I was searching for 'what to wear' yesterday the SK seemed to feature in most replies and as I'd prefer not to wear one it worried me that so many people seemed to prefer to. Fitting in would be pretty hard with my fair, Scottish skin anyway

so linen trousers and t-shirts it is.

Thanks again x

smakkar · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:34

Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Diu and finally Mumbai...

All these places (probably other than Diu) see a lot of tourists from all over the world, and people here are quite comfortable with whatever you might wear. They'll not find themselves offended or anything

So don't worry about the clothes, wear whatever you feel comfortable in...

But do go through these 2 post, more important things are discussed here:
last time: female attire?

Hope you enjoy your trip..!!

cityMONK · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:42

{Unlike a lot of IMers I'd prefer not to wear Salwar Kameez. )

wear any thing which blends with weather here.bombay and south are humid, here u can very well do with cotton skirts and tops.
but rajasthan is dry and hot even locals here(village folks)
wear kind of skirt (lehnga) and top(choli.)very simple dress.trick is that it should cover your body fully.it will help when u move in sun.yes lehnga choli of cotton is perfect for you.
i have seen many forigners wearing these and u mingle with public well.this dress will do in delhi and gujrat as well.

february · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by cityMONK

wear any thing which blends with weather here.bombay and south are humid, here u can very well do with cotton skirts and tops.
but rajasthan is dry and hot even locals here(village folks)
wear kind of skirt (lehnga) and top(choli.)very simple dress.trick is that it should cover your body fully.it will help when u move in sun.yes lehnga choli of cotton is perfect fro u.
i have seen many forigners wearing these and u mingle with public well.this dress will do in delhi and gujrat aswell.

Thanks cityMONK - super helpful - everyone on this site is I'm so glad I found it!

I'll bring a long cotton skirt that I have - it's similar to a lehnga.

february · Jul 5th, 2009, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by smakkar

But do go through these 2 post, more important things are discussed here:
last time: female attire?

Super thanks for the tip!

Nick-H · Aug 31st, 2009, 15:18

Quote:

Do not wear somethin which is higher than your knees or lower than your neck.

Socks and a hat?

She's not only going to be stared at, she's going to be arrested!

Haylo · Aug 31st, 2009, 15:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Socks and a hat?

She's not only going to be stared at, she's going to be arrested!

Nick, you are a very evil man.

Nick-H · Aug 31st, 2009, 16:15

...with some wonderful mental pictures

Haylo · Aug 31st, 2009, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

...with some wonderful mental pictures

I had no idea you were so interested in hats.

It's a good job the OP arrived in India six weeks ago, this wouldn't be helping her with her packing at all!

Nick-H · Aug 31st, 2009, 20:41

Hats bore me.

But I used to have a wonderful sock collection...

Jul 5th, 2009, 19:50	#1
february Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Leeds, United Kingdom Posts: 18	Specific female clothing question I'm arriving in India in a few weeks time and will be visiting Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Diu and finally Mumbai. I'd like ask a specific question re clothing for women - the answer to which I'm undecided on after reading hundreds of posts on what women can wear Unlike a lot of IMers I'd prefer not to wear Salwar Kameez. By wearing the SK some might blend in more, be more respected and generally enjoy a hassle free break, but I think this only works if someone feels comfortable and confident in what they're wearing. First, the SK is just not me and second, I suffer from a personal condition that stops me from being able to wear some materials, particularly in the heat, so have control over what I can wear is important. By making the decision not to adopt Indian dress am I going with the wrong attitude? One contact of mine suggested I wear a Sari and another suggested the SK. However my brother's partner said she wore cargo pants and long sleeved t-shirts in the cooler months she travelled. All have been to similar places. I'd prefer to wear linen trousers and t-shirts, loose enough to ensure comfort, but with enough material to ensure my shoulders and legs are covered, and of course not too fitted. I'm being careful not to disrespect or offend and hope I haven't by completely discounting the SK! Thoughts on this would much appreciated, along with recommendations of where I should be paying most attention to what I wear. Many thanks

Jul 5th, 2009, 20:15	#3
annerobyn Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: canada Posts: 58	What to wear You will be just fine in cargo pants and a loose top. Certainly no disrespect there. As long as your tops are not low cut, short sleeve is good although you will find many girls wearing sleevless but that may be questionable. Longish pants, I mean anything but shorts, will be perfect. The secret is to be cool and comfortable. Regardless of what you wear you will be noticed - but you can ease that "sticking out" by being dressed modestly. No point in "sticking out" AND being stared at for inappropriate attire. Bottom line is go, have a good time - people will be interested in YOU and not what you are wearing (unless it's really suggestive). Your will experience many new things that you will forever remember. Have fun!

Jul 5th, 2009, 20:34	#7
smakkar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Delhi and everywhere else... Posts: 526	Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Diu and finally Mumbai... All these places (probably other than Diu) see a lot of tourists from all over the world, and people here are quite comfortable with whatever you might wear. They'll not find themselves offended or anything So don't worry about the clothes, wear whatever you feel comfortable in... But do go through these 2 post, more important things are discussed here: last time: female attire? Hope you enjoy your trip..!! __________________ All my Travels... www.flickr.com/photos/saurabh_sunny/ A lot still pending though...............

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Jul 5th, 2009, 20:31	#5
cityMONK Humble Disciple of Supreme Join Date: May 2009 Location: delhi Posts: 800	(Unlike a lot of IMers I'd prefer not to wear Salwar Kameez. ) wear any thing which blends with weather here.bombay and south are humid, here u can very well do with cotton skirts and tops. but rajasthan is dry and hot even locals here(village folks) wear kind of skirt (lehnga) and top(choli.)very simple dress.trick is that it should cover your body fully.it will help when u move in sun.yes lehnga choli of cotton is perfect fro u. i have seen many forigners wearing these and u mingle with public well.this dress will do in delhi and gujrat aswell.

Jul 5th, 2009, 20:42	#8
cityMONK Humble Disciple of Supreme Join Date: May 2009 Location: delhi Posts: 800	{Unlike a lot of IMers I'd prefer not to wear Salwar Kameez. ) wear any thing which blends with weather here.bombay and south are humid, here u can very well do with cotton skirts and tops. but rajasthan is dry and hot even locals here(village folks) wear kind of skirt (lehnga) and top(choli.)very simple dress.trick is that it should cover your body fully.it will help when u move in sun.yes lehnga choli of cotton is perfect for you. i have seen many forigners wearing these and u mingle with public well.this dress will do in delhi and gujrat as well.

Aug 31st, 2009, 16:15	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	...with some wonderful mental pictures

Aug 31st, 2009, 20:41	#15
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Hats bore me. But I used to have a wonderful sock collection...