South India Jan-Feb - best 1 warm item to pack?

Hello,
I realize most people are concerned with staying cool in South India … but I get cold the minute temperature drops below 70f.

What do you pack for a chilly night? Wool sweater? Poly fleece jacket? Or?

I am female traveler mostly be wearing shalvar kameez or indo-western clothes during trip. Advice from more experienced lady travelers welcome.

cheers,
NatKat

Never come to England Nat!!!!!

I would - and always do - buy a good wool shawl.

You can get great shawls at good prices. If you really want to pack something take a light, long sleeved micro fleece. Gives a bit of insect protection in the evenings, handy for cool early mornings and as a pillow or sit upon but will tuck away in your day pack when not needed.

In your example shawl would be great but a jacket would be better as it has a zipper and pockets and easy to handle.

Perhaps get both and use as per situation.

Thanks for the advices. I can wear a poly fleece jacket on the plane … then hopefully can buy a shawl in Bangalore. Brilliant. As for England … I live 3 years in Portland OR which has similar climate … I was encased in layers of wool the whole 3 years. Never so happy as they day I moved back to California

Ojai Rocks! I lived there in the late 70's/early 80's when it still had a touch of country. Lived in Portland too. 13 years, ten of those years in a small sailboat near Sellwood. I always buy shawls because I like 'em!, they have many uses, and they makes great gifts, should I chose to part with mine - either at home or in India.

Ditto fleecy zip up jacket and buy a nice warm shawl which can double up as a light blanket.

The guy I am staying with has asked me to bring a couple hoodies for his 2 friends. He says they are hard to find. I'm not bringing one for myself as it is 18 F here and even 60 would feel amazing to me atm but I am bringing a light jacket.

Note: I got 4 hoodies at Goodwill and showed them on cam. They each picked the one they liked the best. One of them picked a John Deer hoodie.

Just pack your favourite sweater. Shawl you will buy here if you think you need it.

Now that I am here … I am actually much colder than I thought! So much for the weather website which said the temperatures were 90 degrees f … not even close … more like 65-70. I brought the fleece and a wool shawl … but I wish I brought another sweater. Oh well, I bought a nice wool shawl at FabIndia which set me back $25 or so … but it is very nice. I can just wear my new Indian garb and layer-on both shawls … but I wish I had brought my extra jacket I left at home b/c I decided I wouldn't need it. OY!

I carried a few light pairs of long pants...the kind you jog in, and it worked out great for both evenings and in some temples where I needed to dress more modestly. A little long-sleeve zip fleece worked for me as far as the shirt went. I just put it over my t-shirt.

Goodness, where are you?

Night-time temperatures, yes, 20-21C (69-70). Not sure if it even went as low as 18C (65) in those few December days we call winter.

But day-time temperatures are around 30C (86).

Obviously cooler where you are: Kerala coast? Hills?

Plenty of beautiful Indian shawls on sale everywhere in India.
Some are wool - not expensive.
Treat Yourself!

I cant believe you are cold! I am from UK and finding it hot here. I have only worn a long sleeve t-shirt once. I would say use a shawl if you need one. I cant wait to get North to a more favourable cooler temperature.