Shoes

sbhikes

I'm going to India in a week. I will be working in an office for two weeks and sight-seeing on weekends, and for an extra week at the end. We are going to Mumbai to begin with (the office is there) and staying in what sounds like a very nice hotel. Other than that we'll visit the Taj Mahal and probably Goa.

What do women wear to the office and in nice places (i.e. non-budget restaurants)? If I need to wear Indian woman's clothing, is it ok to bring an Indian skirt from home and wear it with a modest American-style shirt? Would I look like an idiot if I wore a salwar kameez (I'm fair and blonde)? What kind of shoes are appropriate to go with that, especially if I have to wear salwar kameez?

I have read a lot here about people throwing poo at your shoes. Will they do that to a woman? I really don't want to have to wear hiking boots all the time to avoid that sort of thing. I would like to wear sandals. I have nice Birkenstocks that hide my feet pretty well and look good with a skirt. Will that look ok with Indian women's clothes as well?

Sorry this was so long.

Tapestry

Sandals would be fine, and they would be suitable for the office, for your salwar kameez and for your western clothing. Lots of western travelers and expats wear Indian style clothing so you wouldn't stand out. No one will really pay attention to what you're wearing on your feet unless maybe you were wearing old sneakers with a skirt or something, because many Indian women wear heels regularly. Just be comfortable and presentable.

mani

First of all welcome to mumbai.

Mumbai is very cosmopolitain. Women wear indian as well as western style clothes at work. It depends on the environment where you are working. ie if its a office of a bank or a MNC women will be in salwar kameez / sari or a trouser/skirt top or even a pant suit. If you are going to be working in a factory or outdoor type of environment then a trouser/ jeans with a decent shirt or a shalwar kameez will be good.

since you are fair and blonde people will look twice and men will stare so it really dosent matter waht you wear. As long as your clothes are decent, they will not trouble you.

Salwar kameez is a comfortable dress for most occassions. You can dress it up depending upon where you are going. Also most discos. lounges will not welcome you if you are in a shalwar kameez. for such places go as western as possible.

For work your sandals sound good. you can also buy inexpensive chappals / sandals from mumbai to go with your salwar kameez.

where will you be staying in mumbai. let me know if you need any other info.

enjoy your stay
mani

sbhikes

Thank you for the info. I will have to bring some Western clothes then for sure! The problem is I am a slob even for California! I always dress way down. So I think I'll avoid all discos because I'm sure they'll NEVER let me in. The office is software so it sounds like it will probably be better to dress western there. Oh and I forget where I'm staying but it was listed as 5 star delux so it ought to be nicer than what I would normally choose.

Nick-H

Certainly should be comfortable, but Indian 'business' hotels can be a bit sterile.

Mostly best not to dress down in India!

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mani

Smart casuals is the way to go.

dont dress down. people make an impression based on how you are dressed. particularly the management types. so when I have to meet someone I need to impress I make sure that my dress smartly but not all co-ordinated.

best of luck & enjoy your trip
mani

Eve68

Does anyone know whether it'll be too cold for sandals in the Delhi-Agra-Varanasi region Dec-Jan?

chaos76

Defenitly not too cold for sandals around that time in the year, IMHO

mani

yes cold for sandals. The temperature is known to fall to 3-4 degrees C in Delhi.

regards
mani

chaos76

I quite agree, but during the day it was okay to wear sandals.

ellexesse

Im a blond fair skinned woman who has been living here in Mumbai for a year so I'll try to help ya...

Mumbai is a pretty cosmopolitan city (for India) and you can pretty much wear whatever you want (within reason!). I see more and more Indian girls wearing sleaveless tops and short skirts each week. Mainly the dress code when out and about (not work) is a t-shirt and maybe jeans if you're gonna be in and out of a/c (very likely). Or I wear 3/4 length trousers a lot. They keep you nice and cool. Just be prepared to be stared at no matter what - think of it as a compliment...! I turn heads wherever I go which my fiance finds fascinating still (the difference between him and me I mean).

Shoes-wise, I have never had anyone throw anything at me or on my feet! Unless you're planning to live in the major touristy areas where I guess these people may be (if they do still exist) then you wont encounter that. I wear sandals, flip-flops, anything I want so long as they can cope with the uneven pavements etc. Just bring stuff for a warm climate.

In work, I would suggest smart casual, just like what you're used to probably. Indian women may wear a Salwar etc but others don't (younger women mainly).

So you really don't need to worry. Just be sensible and don't go around town in a bikini and short shorts! Spaghetti straps would also create a bit more attention than normal. BTW, when I wore a Salwar Kameez I got stared at more than wearing my usual clothes. Blame the blonde hair for acting like a beacon....

That help? Hope so.

Elle
XX

sbhikes

Thank you ellexesse that is good advice. I don't want to look stupid. And I wouldn't dream of bikinis and short shorts!

(P.S. Why do tourists wear that stuff in America by the way? It's just as inappropriate. Nothing is worse than seeing a man in a speedo riding a bicycle in Yosemite!)

wichy

As for shoes... it's a bit off-top - but I could not keep silent. As soon as at home I ALWAYS wear heels - first day in india was awful - I couldn't manage with shoes. But I find a shop - Woodland (it's in inner Connaught Circle in Delhi, but as I know there are a lot of shops in other city). I've bought a pair with a medium heels there - and it's great, really - so comfortable, soft and nice!!! My friend's bought a pair without heels - and absolutely happy too!!! For the small price - excellent!!! And they have some very good designed models - going to bye one or two pairs more ;-)

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Harrowwoman

Do you know if they have UK women's size shoes in an 8 there?
I want to get some specs amde there too as I hear its much cheaper than the UK and you can get designer frames and reactolite lenses.

gautam

U might wanna chk this thread for international shoe size chart

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