Men: What Pants/ Trousers do you wear in South?

Nick-H

even on a hot day in London they are stupid

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safari vala

lungi kurta or pajama kurta please. How to tie a lungi: PM me.

Joibanglaforevu

I've been reading along this post and I'm finding it amusing in parts, but actually kind of a sigh of relief that some of you all in opinions on clothing are quite open-minded! I appreciate that very much. Even though I've been to India, and travelled all over the south, everything I've read since makes Indians sound so uptight and non-accepting of different people and their appearance(s) and makes me worry for my next trip!
My only clothing recomendations would have been to wear sandals and not closed shoes. When I went (in 2000), I wore shorts, and probably got stared and giggled at sometimes, but I have enough dignity in myself to not let that bother.
I know the local customs may be as they are, but, with white skin and blond hair that turns almost shock white in the sun, there isn't much I can do to blend in, I'd just rather be comfortable with what I like wearing and leave it at that. Who is wearing jeans in the 100 degree heat? Who is going to say something nasty to me, when I am the one who gave to the beggar, and they just cussed him?

Aishah

Loose cotton pants would be good - like the man's pyjama of kurta pyjama style. I see a lot of men (travellers)around here wearing this sort of thing with either a T-shirt or a kurta on top and they are cool. That's what I wore when I went to Sth India - it's a unisex garment! OP may already be there and visited Nick for a dhoti lesson? That is definitely the coolest of the lot. Mr K wears what's called a chori chawder here - like a bedsheet tied about his waist, with a long cotton shirt style over it. Very suitable for hot weather. And pyjama kurta (always white) in summer too.
Shorts - are being more accepted - knee length baggy types and also calf length have come in this year and are being worn by the Indian young men as well. No one stares these days at men in shorts - they would if they are very short though. A lot of Indian travellers from the cities are wearing shorts too.

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Nick-H

You've put your finger exactly on what makes me uncomfortable about these threads!

The fact is that Indians are not that uptight. Yes there are, in some places, definite limits for women, but isn't that true everywhere? just the limits are different.

One of my Japanese colleagues was punished t school because her hair was slightly brown rather than standard-issue black, and people would not believe that she did not colour it. India is not like that. Nor, even so far as women's clothes go, some sort of fundamentalist cover-up state (probably there are pockets...).

India's own cultural and dress styles are so diverse that they can tell where (or from what community) each other come from at a glance. I've seen Anglo-Indians wearing above-the-knee skirts; I've seen very beautiful girls from North-East wearing western-style dress that, while not revealing flesh, displays their figures to perfection. I've seen muslims completely covered up. It all goes down here.

rubsen

I dont want to open a new thread but i think my question rather fits here.
After reading the thread it seems as if its a good idea to wear long light trousers in the summer (april, may) because the sun is so hot that it could really burn your skin.
Does this also apply to shirts? Is it better to wear a long sleeved shirt and not a normal t-shirt (in my case: in april/may in delhi)?

Another question: i want to travel in the north (Jammu & Kashmir) in June-July. Is it okay there to wear shorts (over the knees or 3/4 shorts) or is it better to go on tour with long jeans (perhaps because of mosquitos and co.)?

Aishah

rubsen - Welcome to India Mike! And no, not silly questions..
Mr K wears long sleeve kurta and pyjama (long leg) in the hottest times. Yes, it is for the sun. I wear light cotton salwar kameez and carry an umbrella for the same reason. April/May is getting really hot in Delhi - you could wear your T-shirts but put on some sunscreen.
J & K - I think wearing longish shorts no problem and use a mosquito repellant. If you are up in high areas over 1800 metres or so usually no need for that though. However, I have to say I've only once seen a Kashmiri in shorts! Whenever you see TV of photos they are all in long pants/salwars.

rubsen

Thanks Aishah

I am really wondering how to handle the heat in Delhi (currently there is snow in my backyard! ). Think i will leave my normal jeans at home and wear light trousers (from my suits). I also think it wont be a problem to buy trousers in Delhi because people down there know how to cope with the heat. The first shopping mall i'll see will be mine

Aishah

Just recently I was shown Rajouri Garden shopping area - it is easy to get around, good menswear shops with good quality stuff and cheaper than in Connaught Place area. (I bought Mr K a really good shirt, brand name with 80% discount!) It is a stop on the Metro - which is very easy to use. You can catch it near Connaught Place at Rajiv Chowk - but where you are staying there may be a closer station. It is the Dwarka line you catch.

Munivar

Lungi.

It is the best. Nice...ummm..ventilation. As the temperature rises, the bottomline can rise too.

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kunjakko

wear something that is important

bhakti23

get some very light trousers from a camping store like REI. (or whatever your local equivalent is.)

don't wear shorts, as it is somewhat disrespectful, especially in temples and holy towns.

they have some great choices made out of light material. don't wear your regular trousers and jeans are the last thing you want.

or wear a kurta. buy a couple when you get there. that is the best choice.

PeakXV

Other than the obvious places of worship (common throughout the world) etc, don't know how walking with a well-groomed pair of shorts is considered disrespectful in India - when simultaneously guys are 'whipping it out' to relieve themselves on any given street wall.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

rajiveanand

Just don't let your dkkk hang out when you're wearing a dhoti - real faux pas!

R.

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Nick-H

This idea has been de-bagged ...sorry, debunked, in several other threads.Err, right... leaving the legs bare? Yes... definitely more respectful!