Buying winter clothing

jarrah

Hi all, first time in so have lots of qustions but shall start with one. I am heading to Kolkatta then up to darjeeling and on from mid Dec till mid Jan. I will of course be taking some of my own winter gear but would like to know where and what type of winter cothing I can purchase, either in Kolkata or along the way.

shashank.aggarwal

Kolkata is a metro City and I assume you can find pretty much anything you want..just that you might have to search hard enough..

if you can tell us what exactly you need for the winter gear..then members from Kolkata can tell you where to get that from ..

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jarrah

Thanks Shashank for your very quick reply.

I am travelling with my wife and we want to leave Australia with as little clothing as possible, buying most of it in India as we go.

From looking at previous threads it seems that December is one of the coldest months in Darjeeling and we don't possess any real heavy winter clothing. Planning on staying at the Fairlawn Hotel in Sudder Street so are there any markets nearby where we can purchase pants, jumpers, jackets, scarves, beanies, ear muffs, warm socks etc, suitable for that climate.

Also, what would be the best footwear to buy?

machadinha

If all else fails, Darjeeling has a central bazaar that will cater to your needs (carrying something warm up there will likely be preferred however). I seem to remember a sizable bazaar in Siliguri but the details are lost to me, I didn't like the place and so didn't pay much attention.

It gets cold up there yes (not Siliguri which is in the plains. Chilly and wet though when I was there in winter), but you don't have to dress like a polar bear I guess it goes down to around freezing point at night, maybe a little under. In the sun it can be fairly pleasant (since it's a lot of winding alleys, there's plenty of shade though, markedly colder). A woollen sweater (they sell very nice ones up there) and possibly a jacket will do. Wear double pants if needed, or get a pair of jeans or similar. Make sure you get a hotel with a heater, the real budget places won't necessarily have them.

If you don't want to carry that stuff with you afterwards, get something you won't be attached to and give away to some beggar or so (there are also Tibetan refugees in the area), will be appreciated.

There's a bazaar just to the north of Sudder St. I think where you should be able to find some things, or as noted it's a big metropolis anyway, shouldn't be hard to find some clothes. Not sure about winter clothes as Kolkata doesn't get very cold, I slept on an open rooftop in January. But I'm sure something's available.

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fsg

We were in Darj end Feb, it was freezing but everywhere there are shophs either selling new cold weather gear, or second hand stalls with good gear at almost no cost, get the dhobi to wash it.
If you check my posts on Sikkim, you will fine my thoughts on s/h clothing there.

What I do suggest you look for in Oz is a lightweight windproof, and some light silk underwear....... should not take up much room and will be well worth it.

I was there before in Jan and it was equally cold, and DAMP

somnath

Hi jarrah,
Welcome to Kolkata.
Really good suggestions from everybody. Jarrah, the location of Fairlawn is great, and not far away from “New Market” area where you’ll be able to find some nice shops to purchase your winter clothing. And there are some shopping malls like Forum or City Center etc. So big brands are available here.
Machadinha is probably trying to mention the Hong Kong market at Shiliguri. It is a tricky place. You need to bargain hard to get a better price. You’ll be able to get sweaters / jackets at Darjeeling too but again – price is on higher side.
BTW, nice suggestion from fsg – lightweight windproof, and some light silks. Let me tell you windproof is really very helpful in Darjeeling.

- Somnath

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jarrah

hi again
will i need a sleeping bag to take with during dec jan to darjeeling
jarrah

machadinha

Have you read the above at all? <Grumph>

Yes I'd take one, but you'll survive without it. Get a hotel with a heater. Did I say get a hotel with a heater? You won't need one if you do. Nice for early-morning Kanchenjunga viewing though, it's ff'ing freezing out there (you watch it from some peak in the area, and it's sunrise after all). Buy a blanket or two locally if you don't. Also good for travel to and from there (as your sleeping bag will be).

tasuray

Camac Street Pantaloons or Westside is very near from Fairlawn.You will get most of the woolen garments from any of these family shops.For sleepingbags you can try Duckback showroom under Peerless Inn at Esplanade, which is not also far away from your hotel.Though I don't think it will be required for Darjeeling trip.