Blondes- to dye or not to dye? & women's wear, women's safety etc

wonderwomanusa · Oct 7th, 2009, 09:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by vireya

Last year in Orchcha I saw a group of three young western women wearing tights/leggings with tops that didn't cover their behinds. I don't know what effect it had on the locals, but it gave me a bit of a surprise. They looked so out of place, and I wondered how they could be blind to the fact that no-one else anywhere was dressed like that. Or perhaps they knew but didn't care. For me, seeing the equivalent of bare behinds after a few weeks of only seeing well-covered Indian women, was a strange experience.

For me, it was seeing young women in Pushkar last winter, wearing nearly transparent singlets with black bras hanging out of them. Eeeuw. And the local people said terrible things about them -- I didn't have to understand the language to hear the disgust in their tones.

This was the first visit to India in years that I didn't wear salwar kameez. I had a couple of long "Hawaiian" shirts and baggy cotton trousers, so I was respectfully covered and very comfortable. I bought a couple of dupattas for the trains and for walking around some areas.

KateW · Oct 7th, 2009, 18:39

Quote:

Flip flops are ok, as long as you're used to walk in them.

Not so sure I have a lovely cut on my foot from walking into a piece of jagged metal that was randomly sticking out of the ground.

Shivani Skydancer · Oct 7th, 2009, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwomanusa

For me, it was seeing young women in Pushkar last winter, wearing nearly transparent singlets with black bras hanging out of them. Eeeuw. And the local people said terrible things about them -- I didn't have to understand the language to hear the disgust in their tones.

This was the first visit to India in years that I didn't wear salwar kameez. I had a couple of long "Hawaiian" shirts and baggy cotton trousers, so I was respectfully covered and very comfortable. I bought a couple of dupattas for the trains and for walking around some areas.

Sometimes, one cringes with embarrassment at what a few white girls wear!!

I don't look or feel good in loose baggy clothing, but I found as long as I'm not wearing short skirts, bare shoulders, or plunging cleavage, it's fine. One can show some natural curves without looking provocative or "cheap".

After all, Saris and Salwar Kameez also show feminine curves nicely.

Laurendo · Oct 7th, 2009, 21:19

How low in neckline can you go? I have (naturally) large boobs and feel uncomfortable with really really high necklines as I tend to look like I just have one huge breast sticking out from under my neck

Soooo I tend to wear lower cut tops on the whole - not with a cleavage or anything but just...this low at most:http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.74915242.jpg to break it up a bit. I understand that things have gotta be different in India and am fine with it, but I am interested in how high necklines should really be? Crew neck? Or can a bit of collar bone and a couple of inches below be ok?

Nick-H · Oct 7th, 2009, 21:56

That'd be ok for the more cosmopolitan city outing --- and, of course, it would be hugely overdressed for a tourist beach like Kovalam in Kerala. Still low enough to draw male eyes, though

namaste_cat · Oct 7th, 2009, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurendo

Soooo I tend to wear lower cut tops on the whole - not with a cleavage or anything but just...this low at most:http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.74915242.jpg to break it up a bit. I understand that things have gotta be different in India and am fine with it, but I am interested in how high necklines should really be? Crew neck? Or can a bit of collar bone and a couple of inches below be ok?

Collar bone showing is not a problem. You can go lower than a crew neck, sweetheart or v-neck is just fine too. I wear necklines just to the point where my cleavage doesn't show. Also nothing skintight whether on top or bottom.

In that top you linked, neckline is a bit on the low side but maybe it can work. The straps can be problematic depending on where you'll be. For example fine inside a hotel restaurant, in a mall, in some places in Mumbai or close to the beach area, definitely fine in Goa. But in smaller towns/areas, you might want to keep a light scarf (very inexpensive and easy to find in India) handy so you can throw it over your shoulders if you feel eyes boring into you.

brishti · Oct 7th, 2009, 23:22

hey namaste cat - have you got your tilley hat or not ?

you gotta look spunkin natty, girl

:brishti

Laurendo · Oct 8th, 2009, 00:06

Brilliant thank you guys

I intended to try and wear tops more with sleeves outside of touristy beach places, I just wanted to see what people thought of that neckline, which is the lowest I'd go. And I will keep a scarf thats a really good idea. I LOVE indiamike. My mum is all worried coz her baby is going off alone and I reassured her telling about how I have a big helpful support network here to help me stay safe

ripper13catie · Oct 24th, 2009, 05:00

I have always wanted to travel to India, and with graduation coming up, I'm thinking about taking the plunge.
However, I'm not sure what to do about my hair.
It's blue. My hair, that is. I have solid blue hair (which I don't wear because I hate my parents or I'm super alternative punk rock...it just looks really good on me

.
I realize that this is highly "alternative". I'm okay with that, but I don't want to offend people whilst over there.
Thoughts?

camelgirl · Oct 24th, 2009, 06:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by ripper13catie

I have always wanted to travel to India, and with graduation coming up, I'm thinking about taking the plunge.
However, I'm not sure what to do about my hair.
It's blue. My hair, that is. I have solid blue hair (which I don't wear because I hate my parents or I'm super alternative punk rock...it just looks really good on me

.
I realize that this is highly "alternative". I'm okay with that, but I don't want to offend people whilst over there.
Thoughts?

You are not the first person to ask the same question. Go back on this thread to page 80 #1198 and then read the posts to #1204.

In a nutshell, no one will be offended--you'll be starred at with or without blue hair!

machadinha · Oct 24th, 2009, 21:35

Offended, no. Just generally it might give you some peace of mind to walk around a little less conspicuously on most any holiday, right.

Is it a great sacrifice to make?

Nick-H · Oct 24th, 2009, 23:59

I'm sure Marge Simpson would get on fine in India!

As to how great a sacrifice a change would be, hair grows at, what, about 1/8th inch (3mm) a month?

camelgirl · Oct 25th, 2009, 00:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Just generally it might give you some peace of mind to walk around a little less conspicuously on most any holiday, right.

She could claim it was from Holi

I had some color thrown on me (years ago) and it never, ever came out of the shirt.

Probably why I never bring any clothes I don't want ruined to India. If it isn't Holi, it's me spilling something with tumeric, etc. in it--I wind-up with lots of blotches & spots by the end of a trip! Even if I let a dhobi beat the crap out of it!

So, that's another unasked for travel tip

bring clothes you can leave behind & fill your bag with great stuff you buy in India!

kenzorose · Nov 18th, 2009, 22:03

Hi,

I'm hope I'm not asking a stupid question - I am going to visit north india for the first time in January and I will be attending a traditional indian wedding. I wish to buy a salwar kameez and sari while I'm in india but I'm not sure if any will suit my body shape as I am quite short and overweight. Can an overweight woman look good in a salwar kameez and sari?
Also, I've seen that it's been discussed in detail on whether a white woman will be stared at in India. I'm chinese asian, and was wondering if I will be looked at differently too?
Any replies are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

wonderwomanusa · Nov 19th, 2009, 05:50

Once you get to India, you will see women of all heights and body types wearing sarees or salwar-kameeze and they all look great!

If you're a "round lady," you will probably not be able to wear something off the rack; plan to take a day or two to choose fabrics and visit a tailor. Ask whoever is hosting the wedding to help you with this.

To wear a saree, you need a petticoat and a blouse, both of which might need to be tailored. Some sarees come with a blouse piece attached, others require another piece of fabric, with which the shop will be able to help you.

You'll be stared at anyway, just because you are foreign. Don't worry about it.

Oct 7th, 2009, 21:19	#1264
Laurendo Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norwich Posts: 52	Trinny and susannah say i shouldn't wear high neck tops :P How low in neckline can you go? I have (naturally) large boobs and feel uncomfortable with really really high necklines as I tend to look like I just have one huge breast sticking out from under my neck Soooo I tend to wear lower cut tops on the whole - not with a cleavage or anything but just...this low at most:http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_430xN.74915242.jpg to break it up a bit. I understand that things have gotta be different in India and am fine with it, but I am interested in how high necklines should really be? Crew neck? Or can a bit of collar bone and a couple of inches below be ok?

Oct 24th, 2009, 05:00	#1269
ripper13catie Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Silvis, IL Posts: 1	So here's the thing--Weird Question I have always wanted to travel to India, and with graduation coming up, I'm thinking about taking the plunge. However, I'm not sure what to do about my hair. It's blue. My hair, that is. I have solid blue hair (which I don't wear because I hate my parents or I'm super alternative punk rock...it just looks really good on me . I realize that this is highly "alternative". I'm okay with that, but I don't want to offend people whilst over there. Thoughts?

Oct 24th, 2009, 21:35	#1271
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,391	Offended, no. Just generally it might give you some peace of mind to walk around a little less conspicuously on most any holiday, right. Is it a great sacrifice to make? __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

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Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	That'd be ok for the more cosmopolitan city outing --- and, of course, it would be hugely overdressed for a tourist beach like Kovalam in Kerala. Still low enough to draw male eyes, though

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Oct 8th, 2009, 00:06	#1268
Laurendo Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Norwich Posts: 52	Brilliant thank you guys I intended to try and wear tops more with sleeves outside of touristy beach places, I just wanted to see what people thought of that neckline, which is the lowest I'd go. And I will keep a scarf thats a really good idea. I LOVE indiamike. My mum is all worried coz her baby is going off alone and I reassured her telling about how I have a big helpful support network here to help me stay safe

Oct 24th, 2009, 23:59	#1272
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	I'm sure Marge Simpson would get on fine in India! As to how great a sacrifice a change would be, hair grows at, what, about 1/8th inch (3mm) a month?

Nov 18th, 2009, 22:03	#1274
kenzorose Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 1	Hi, I'm hope I'm not asking a stupid question - I am going to visit north india for the first time in January and I will be attending a traditional indian wedding. I wish to buy a salwar kameez and sari while I'm in india but I'm not sure if any will suit my body shape as I am quite short and overweight. Can an overweight woman look good in a salwar kameez and sari? Also, I've seen that it's been discussed in detail on whether a white woman will be stared at in India. I'm chinese asian, and was wondering if I will be looked at differently too? Any replies are greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Nov 19th, 2009, 05:50	#1275
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,261	Once you get to India, you will see women of all heights and body types wearing sarees or salwar-kameeze and they all look great! If you're a "round lady," you will probably not be able to wear something off the rack; plan to take a day or two to choose fabrics and visit a tailor. Ask whoever is hosting the wedding to help you with this. To wear a saree, you need a petticoat and a blouse, both of which might need to be tailored. Some sarees come with a blouse piece attached, others require another piece of fabric, with which the shop will be able to help you. You'll be stared at anyway, just because you are foreign. Don't worry about it.