What clothes can a woman wear in India???

Hey there, people!!

I'll go in Feb and March to India, with my boyfriend, and I'm not sure about what clothes I can wear without drawing too much attention...

So, can I wear shorts? Tank tops? Sleeveless shirts? (because I imagine it's gonna be warmer, huh?)

Thanks!!

<swoon>, it's going to be a lot warmer than you think. Please, search the forums, for suggested 'good' attire, especially for women. M'am, it *will* help you a lot, if you did read up on other women's experiences on this forum.

Sorry, where can I find these forums in IM??

p.s.: even in northern India it's that warm?

Hi

Out of the touristic places I usually wear Salwaar Kameez with Dupatta which is a long tunica with trousers and a skarf. It is very convenient in the trains and not too warm even in Kerala. Skarf is very usuful for sleep on it, under it, good in busses where it is windy during night with all windows open.

Shorts and top are fine areas like Goa.

Have fun!

And where did you buy these things?? Is it easy to find anywhere there??

No where in India is shorts acceptable for a woman. Some people might say Mumbai but I disagree. I also think people in more cosmopolitan cities give a harder time to foreign women than Indian women.

Case in point: My friend who is Caucasian was wearing jeans and a decent button down shirt but was stared at and cat called at. On the other side of the street local Indian girls wore mid leg skirts and tight tee shirts and nobody bothered them. I think its quite unfair. Basically whatever you wear will draw some attention simply by the fact that you look different. HOWEVER, wearing a salwar or a nice pant and blouse ensemble will help you avoid the lewd stares of men at least a little bit. You dont NEED to wear a salwar khameez, lots of foreign women do maybe because its comfortable for them and because they are in India and want to go "ethnic" and "exotic". You can be just as comfortable in a loosely fit pant and shirt outfit.

Tank Tops and Sleevless shirts--I dont think foreign women should wear sleeveless shirts, another unfair thing because I have seen TONS of indian college students wearing them with no problem.

I lived in India for 6 years as a student and most of the time I wore either salwar, saree or pants and a blouse (casual wear).

You can buy readymade salwar sets in most clothing shops. Some tailors stitch salwar from fabrics you select within 1-2 days if you pay them enough. Just be vigilant about the style you want. WHen you go to a tailor and he asks "It will be ready madam" and he asks "when are you leaving the city?" ALWAYS answer 1-2 days before you are ACTUALLY leaving otherwise he will make you wait 3 hours before your flight leaves for your fabrics to be done..


Madhuri

Hi, No matter how many posts i read about suitable clothing i still find it confusing....Maybe someone can explain to me. This summer my sister had a traditional Sikh wedding. My brother in laws family bought me a 'Punjabi Suit' from india to wear to the wedding. It is so beautiful but has no sleeves....so how come i can bare shoulders in the Gudwara (hope i spelt that right) but not in india. Thanks for any replies -laura

Thank you Docgirl!! You really claryfied things for me!

So, I'll stay there for 45 days, and what I'm taking at the moment is: two pairs of pants (not jeans, but a more comfortalbe type) a couple of shirts, one pair of sandals and one of tennis shoes. Also some jacket and maybe a long sleeved shirt. And I can buy some of the clothes you told me once I get there.

What do you think? Do I need something else?

p.s.: I'll go to northern India (Delhi, Rajasthan, Varanasi, Khajuraho, etc) but also to colder places (Srinagar, Leh, Nepal and Tibet) So, in February is it gonna be VERY cold there? What should I take???

Oh, it's so hard to figure this out!

you know, i wouldn't stress too much about what clothes you're bringing...outside of not overpacking. before i left on my trip a couple years ago, i was really stressed, and my husband (who wasn't going...) gave me the best advice... "don't worry. you're not going camping, you're going to a civilized country. if you forget something, you can get it there." i found it to be very liberating advice, and with rare exception, he was right. clothes in india are quite inexpensive. if you find you don't have warm enough clothes, you can always buy something there.

Don't take too many clothes. It's so much fun to shop for and buy really nice, suitable and cheap clothes and sandals once you're there.

BTW, my other favorite country is Brazil!

I try hard not to smile but can't help it. I unfortunately think that non-Indian women in Indian clothing, esp saris, really look odd. A lot has to do with how to move in them, not easy if you're not used to it. Just my fashion opinion...

Really?? Cool!! Have you ever been here? Where about??

I know!!!! I just keep thinking of myself trying to wear and walk with all these different clothes....I think I'll look strange, but, oh well, nobody knows me anyway!!! hahahaha!!!

think of it like wearing a Halloween costume. or a costume party
I was in Istanbul last month, and many shops were selling belly dancing outfits!! didn't buy one though... (Okay, I know that's not the same.)

on the beach, just wear the bottom part of a string bikini! it's great when everyone else is doing it! never been to Brazil, but have been to a couple of nudist beaches in Spain, was surprised how enjoyable it is to just strip and not get all weird about it.