Packing help needed

Kali_in_Seattle

I am travelling to Hyderabad and Bangalore on business in mid-May. I am concerned about quite a few things... most having to do with my appearance and dress.

(1) I am meeting with other westerners on business. I have been told I should wear what we call "business casual" in the office (skirt or pants, shirt and light jacket or sweater). Will that be acceptable in a business setting with both Western and Indian men in attendance? I am the only woman executive from my company going on this trip. My job is to collect information for my company by interviewing numerous sources (western and Indian), so I want to make people comfortable with my dress and manners so they will be open with me during our meetings.

(2) Outside of the business center/compound, what is acceptable? I've heard everything from a salwar to regular western travelwear (understood that I should not wear mini skirts or shorts in town, but are capri pants, shortsleeved or sleeveless shirts acceptable??) Most of my business suits are conservative: skirts that hit the knee or pants. What is acceptable for going out to dinner and or a club at night?

(3) I am a blond woman, fair and almost 6 ft tall. I've travelled throughout South America and parts of SE Asia, so I have become accustomed to stares. Should I be aware of anything other than "I will stick out like a sore thumb"? Also, I am married but do not wear a ring... any issues there?

(4) Shoes... I'm planning on bringing trainers/athletic shoes and dress & casual sandals... anything else? I'm assuming my shoe size isn't exactly common? (women's 9-10 US?)

I would like to try a salwar, but am confused... some are long sleeved, some are short sleeved, some actually show one shoulder completely exposed. I'm sure it will all make sense once I am there, but I want to pack and dress appropriately and not have to go on an emergency shopping trip for clothing just to get around.

TIA for any help/guidance!

michep2

Here's some info from my trip:

1. I have also traveled to India for business for two weeks in October 2004, in Pune. No matter what you do, you will stand out. I wore casual business attire, cotton and linen pants and short sleeved shirts/blouses. After a week there, I bought a few cotton embroidered tunics(kurtas) and a sari. I wore the tunics the second week and my Indian counterparts were impressed. It is not necessary to dress in Indian attire, but it is appreciated. I'm headed back in 2 weeks and am expecting the temperatures to be very high, 100F.

2. Capris are fine for outside the office. As for clubs, most Indian woman were either a sari or salwar to the clubs, but you will find some of the younger crowd wearing jeans and t-shirts.

3. I was never hassled, but also did not put myself in a place where I would be. Hopefully you have a travel companion from your office or someone in Hydrabad to have dinner with and do some shopping.

4. I wear a size 8.5 in shoes and had no problem buying 4 pairs of sandles and 1 pair of sparkly traditional shoes (I think they are dressy and used for weddings and other formal attire, but wear them with jeans back here in the US)

There is plenty of shopping to be done in India. You didn't mention how long you will be there. If you get there a few days early, check out a few shops and see what the locals have to offer you.

Hope this helps!

__________________
you don't find India, it finds you....

Kali_in_Seattle

Thank you for your help. I will be there for 10 days in mid May, leaving next week. I hope to do some shopping over the weekend... we have local contact who is offering to show us all the best places!

What is the guideline on shirt sleeves? Many of my summer shirts and sweaters are sleeveless (cut to the edge of the shoulder... not like tank tops) - Pack them or not??

Also, the compound has a pool and tennis courts. I have a one piece bathing suit and a beach wrap for around the pool, but on the courts, are tennis skirts permissible?? (Gah! the thought of playing tennis in sweatpants makes me want to pass out!! )

michep2

Didn't have a tennis court at my hotel, so I don't have any advice for you there. People recommened to me that I should not expose my shoulders and wear short sleeves. There were a few days that I had on a type of tank top, it was no biggie. I would pack a one or two. The laundry service is very cheap, so pack light if you are ok with rewearing your clothes.

Enjoy your trip! I have never been to Bangalore or Hydrabad, but heard that it is very green and beautiful. Hydrabad is a great place to buy costume jewlery, especially bangles and if you like pearls, that's the place.

Kali_in_Seattle

Is laundry service reliable?? Laundry only... or is there drycleaning available??

Thanks a bunch! I plan to enjoy my trip... I figure I have backpacked through the Amazon with a baby, so traveling on business with my co-workers should not be that stressful... but then, I didn't have to worry about how I looked on the backpacking trip!!

michep2

If you survived backpacking in the amazon with a child, India should be a piece of cake. It will an experience for the senses. I didn't get anything dry cleaned, but it was offered at my hotel in Pune, Le Meridian. The laundry service was very reliable, same day service also. No worries there.

Kali_in_Seattle

Yeah.... well, did I mention that I was 20 yrs younger and a little more carefree?? At least I have better anti-malarial drugs to choose from this time!!

wonderwomanusa

I'd skip the sleeveless blouses. I like to wear loose sleeves that cover my upper arms while in India. The basic rule of thumb might be to cover the same parts Indian women your own age are covering -- so if you're wearing a sari, you can let your midriff hang out, but not if you're wearing jeans. Leave that to the 20-year-olds.

I'd also forget the "dry clean only" clothing and take cottons and linens that can be washed and ironed by a good dhobi.

It's going to be really hot, but the trainers might come in handy for visiting such places as Golconda, which involve a lot of walking on hot stone floors and some climbing. You'll probably find yourself in sandals most of the time; I took "boat shoes" but the only time I wore them was to the beach and back, and on trains.

Shoes that slip on and off easily are important; there are a lot of places where you have to take shoes off, and you don't want to be bending over to untie/tie laces.

I mostly wear salwar/kameez in India; they are comfortable, colorful, and inexpensive. I usually have them made there (short sleeves, baggy pants, and pockets) and then make one addition myself: I sew Velcro dots onto the pockets to keep them closed. It helps when you're using a squat loo -- you don't lose all the stuff in your pockets.

Kali_in_Seattle

How do you find a salwar that fits you (while you are in the US)? I mean, I am taller than most Indian men I have met... I take a 34" inseam... most of my pants I buy *here* have to be let down at the tailor. Is it possible to buy something "off the rack" that will fit? I've looked online and the whole thing seems daunting. And I don't want to be stranded in the compound while a dressmaker figures out how to sew something for the "amazing 50 ft woman!" Then again, I don't want to go to my first meeting dressed inappropriately. Dilemmas, dilemmas...

Would a sleeveless shirt be appropriate under a jacket? I am sweating just thinking of wearing a regular long-sleeve blouse and suit jacket... of course, all of my summer stuff is lightwt wool and lined - ugh!

wonderwomanusa

Actually, for me, it's the size of the kameez! The sari shops in Berkeley (CA) have salwar suits for "round ladies" and their is so much fabric in the salwar that you'd probably get the length you need! If you have much of an Indian population up there, go try some on!

Sure, if you're going to leave the jacket on!

Your offices, will, I'm sure, be airconditioned. It's outside that's the problem!

traceyam

I'm 6' and I can't wear the off-the-rack SK because kameez are rather narrow in the shoulders. I have a 38" inseam, but ready-made salwars are made so baggy, they still fit okay.

If you want to buy one or two online before you go, try eShakti - they custom tailor, the web site is well designed and easy to follow.

__________________
"Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

michep2

Here's some pictures from my visit at an office in Pune, it was also my birthday and somehow they found out and had a celebration:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/michep.../ph//my_photos

Kali_in_Seattle

Thinking aloud here... is there any difference (from an Indian perspective) in wearing a salwar kameez vs a kurta and my own trousers/pants? Since the issue for me is usually length... Leaving in 8 days, and worrying/planning late as usual... ;-)

traceyam

At 6', you won't have a problem with the length. They are made to be worn very baggy, so if your legs take up several extra inches in length, it will not be noticeable. They will still be baggy.

In my opinion, although I'm not Indian, the tourists I've seen in India who try to combine Indian and western-style clothing look particularly moronic. I don't recommend it.

Kali_in_Seattle

Well, moronic is not the look I'm going for... ;-)

Thanks!