Clothes to pack for Dec. India - Strictly Ladies

mdsouza83

Hey Ladies

I'm going to India for the first time and not sure what sort of shoes to carry with me or how to dress really. I'm going to Bombay and Goa in Dec.

I live in the United Arab Emirates right now and usually used to flip flops but afraid that I can't let my jeans hang over flip flops in India probably get really ruined in those streets

also would like to wear something that's nice and not resort to just rough it out - i guess in plain words would like to look nice and not just stick to keds or sneakers..

HELP Ladiess

Thanks a bunch
Melissa

AprilFlower

Flip-flops are generally considered indoor shoes. These are what people tend to wear in the house(known here as chappels). On the street everyone wears sandals of all makes and models except for the poor guys going to work and the kids going to school who have to suffer with traditional socks and shoes. For nicer occassions women usually get fancy sandels with heels(otherwise known as open-toed heels).

Find something that is comfortable and break them in before gettin here if you can. If you don't feel comfortable with whatever you decide on, don't worry, you can always buy shoes once you get here (though it is sometimes more difficult to find really good quality). You may have problems if you have really large feet otherwise don't worry.

*jyoti*

I have found that in the South, you'll want a couple long sleeve shirts, maybe t-shirts to wear under an SK. And I am always cold, so I like having a sweatshirt or button up sweater. Bombay may get cool b/c it's near the coast.

Indian-style sandals are usually flip-flop style, but the plastic ones are for inside. The faux-leather or plastic ones with a nice design are for general wear. You can buy those kind of shoes cheap in India, though (from 100 Rs. to 500 Rs.).

sannna

And if the quality of your Indian sandals are not great, head for a shoe-repair-guy (mochi) that sits on almost every corner and ask if he re-does all the stitches. For 2-10 Rs, your sandals are good to go for a much longer time.

I found that general people go barefoot inside their homes... I wear flipflops all the time here outside the house, and so do many girls and women. Not the bathroom - rubber- types, but slightly fancier ones, they can be plastic though. Head for the local chappal-market or Bata-shop (omnipresent really) to find your favorite type. Lots of choice - that is if your shoesize is "normal". (I have European size 41, Indian size 10-11) and in that size the choice is more limited.

Clothes wise: dress conservatelively, apart from that lots of things are okay, really. See some other threads on the forum for lots of advise and ideas on this. My main advise: look around you, and see what women and girls are wearing.