Shorts or Pants???

NoodleDoodle

Hi everyone

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere in the forum but I was wondering what your advice would be with regard to shorts or long pants for men?

I'm travelling in a couple of weeks time and will be passing through Delhi and Rajastan. Not exactly staying in top-end accomodation but our hotels are not hostels either.

Would shorts be acceptable for the full 2 weeks of my trip or is there perhaps a need to stick a pair of pants in my luggage for the better restaurants/hotels?

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

dzibead

Discussion here:
Men: What Pants/ Trousers do you wear in South?
Comments are pertinent to areas other than South India. Off the tennis court, shorts are not typically seen on adult men in India, notwithstanding the opinions of certain posters, but nobody will shoot you if you wear them.

Darmabum

Just one humble opinion . . . first of all, I'm an old guy with an old-guy's sensibilities . . . respect means something to me . . . Having spent nearly three years all together over five extended trips to India (mostly in the Ganges Valley area) I have never worn shorts. As dzibead mentioned, wearing them will most likely not get you shot. Once in a small village in Rajasthan I was speaking with another tourist/traveler (he wearing shorts) . . . in no time the head man of the village (and a worldly sort he was) was on the roof of the house next door, waving at me and the man next to me. Though I didn't understand his words, I understood what he meant - he wanted the other guy to put some long pants on. Upon arrival I immediately go to a tailor and get a few pairs of lightweight long cotton pants made.

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the opoponax

I think it all depends on how much you want to fit in and how comfortable you feel sticking out like a sore thumb. Or, for that matter, what "sticking out like a sore thumb" means to you.

In Goa I saw plenty of men wearing beachy shorts, swim trunks, etc. In the north I would see it from time to time in backpacker types. If you are staying well on the tourist trail, I honestly wouldn't worry about it -- wear what you feel comfortable in.

As I'm sure many will chime in with, Indian men by and large do not wear shorts, except for the poorest laborers and very young schoolboys.

PeakXV

I wouldn't recommend anybody restrict their wardrobe to exclusively one style of pant or the other (especially in Rajasthan) - why not pack a pair of both and really live it up!?

And to answer your question, no there is no 'western style' dress code in the better hotels & restaurants for such apparel ...... only the occasional disdained perception among certain old foggies.

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

the opoponax

Peak brings up something much more important -- keep in mind that Indians, in general, might 'dress up' more than you're used to. Especially more than I'm used to as an American, even living in New York where we typically dress more like Europeans and less like the typical grubby American. I found myself in a number of situations where I was really under-dressed. Even as a super-low-budget backpacker!

From that perspective, you might want to bring along at least one pair of pants. And not those stupid zip-off cargo things that look like military fatigues. You don't need a tuxedo, but at least something that doesn't look like camping gear. You will never be refused service in shorts, but you might feel really awkward.

edwardseco

My inlaws won't let me let down their ststus by wearing bachae cloths (shorts)..

edwardseco

My typing sucks "status"..

PeakXV

.... and they say Indian In-laws aren't at all controlling.

camelgirl

OP--bring or buy long pants when you get there.

My husband has done just fine with those brilliant zip-offs--never mistaken for a military man or a camper--in India for all our trips since 2000. They really came in handy when there were wide temperature swings. He also brings a pair of light weight regular pants if we want to induge in a more expensive restaurant (rarely). He always looks fine in either one. It's more the shirt that makes you look "dressed." A tee shirt never looks right in any nicer places. You almost never see Indian men over 20 wearing them.

Uh Oh, red flag waved in front of my nose--Since when do New Yorkers dress like Europeans? Last time I was in Europe (a year ago and dozens of times before) ALL Americans stood out--it's not just the clothes! Sorry about that Opoponax! I must take exception to the concept that Americans are all grubby except for New Yorkers! Actually, that's so funny, I can't possibly take exception to it! Try to get around the USA more--we're pretty cool also

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the opoponax

Oh, I'm sure you'd never be "mistaken" for a military type.

They're just really unattractive on everyone over the age of 12. And way too casual to work as your 'nice' option, if you want to pack a 'nice' option. A simple pair of chinos would be fine.

Have you ever been to NY, camelgirl? Because, yes, having lived in both places, the sartorial differences are huge. I remember feeling incredibly "country" the first time I stepped out of the subway in SoHo. It took me a couple of years to finally get the hang of it, and even now there are certain things about the way I dress that drive native New Yorkers crazy.

kristinm

Indian people are so smartly dressed and turned out - even down to the poorest people... it's not hard to be pressed and starched, the dhobi wallah takes care of that. Take advantage of cheap washing and ironing, carry less clothes and have them washed more often

The women are always made up with kohled eyes, jewellry, shiny hair and coordinating outfits and the men always have a 'finished' look..(even though the 'fashion' is often straight out of the 70's! - After watching a few episodes of 'different strokes' in Hindi we wondered if this was where inspiration for the tight, high waisted purple flares,skinny rib jumpers & short leather jackets came from!!!!).

The shorts/hiking boots/rumpled t shirt/sweaty messy hair and red face tourist look really makes you feel scruffy and touristy & seld conscious - well it did me anyway. I found myself making a little extra effort with mascara, scarves, clothing and a wash and brush up at pitstops just to avoid the disdainful glances. My husband and son always wore long pants, although the weather was chilly so it was easy & ironed T shirt or a cotton shirt bought in India. My son lived in cotton pants or jeans and an 'om' shirt he bought teamed with a khadi vest and big woollen scarf, he basically looked like a little Indian boy!

kristinm

How about going to Paris or Rome?... talk about sartorial pressure - every morning was spent in agonies in front of the mirror with accessories and clothes just trying to not stand out TOO much amongst the sea of effortless elegance and perfectly coordinated outfits!

PeakXV

Kristin makes a good point - in that climate, temperature & climate can be a very relative phenomenon. Where I live it rarely gets above 25c in the summer - so even in December India I feel warm - let alone 45 plus degrees in April in Rajasthan. Our Australian colleagues were often 'frozen' and felt the need for a 'jumper' when us Canadians were simultaneously beading with sweat.

kristinm

I remember shivering on the rooftop in Jaisalmer in ALL my clothes and a blanket provided by Fifu talking with some Canadians in shirts and jeans.. trouble is, when its warm I get all hot and flustered too so I can't win either way!