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Help me pack.....off to India, for a year!

48 replies

CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 04/09/2013 21:47

What would you take? Moving to Delhi.

I have two young ds, so need practical clothes as well as pretty clothes. Only things i have decided on so far are my Toms, converse, birkenstocks, jewelled flipflops, slippers for the apartment (marble floor) and trainers for the gym.

Would like to take clothes that i will wear regularly, rather than everything i own and bring half back unworn. With packing up the house and the kids and the everything else, i cant seem to even begin to think about what i need for myself!

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HollaAtMeBaby · 04/09/2013 21:55

Erm, have you been to Delhi before?

I wore Indian clothes the whole time I was there. I felt uncomfortable in western clothes, like I stood out too much as an outsider. Even in modest western dress, I got groped in the street - in salwar, people still stared but nobody put their hands on me. I saw lots of young Indian women wearing western clothes, but generally with an Indian twist (e.g. a long indian tunic and a big dupatta/scarf with skinny jeans).

Also, if you use them, take a lot of tampons. I found them impossible to find anywhere in India except the tourist convenience stores in Goa. Never saw them in the shops in Delhi.

nilbyname · 04/09/2013 22:02

I travelled in Indus for 6m....I wiore to death...

Light cotton linen type flared trousers from mango
Harem pants from plumo

Long sleeved gypsy type linen shirts with cotton vests worn under

A selection of big light cotton scarves that I used to cover my head/neck as and when.

Light fabrics, loose shapes, long sleevs and no leg showing.

I bought lots of stunning cheap bangles, silver jewellery and sort of jazzed up my outfits that way.

I was travelling, so appreciate you have different needs. But I do recommend that you stay covered up and modestly dressed when ut in public.

chickydoo · 04/09/2013 22:02

When I am in Deli I wear loose cotton patterned and plain trousers. Nothing tight, it is so hot. Also although Deli is like most big cities today it is still India & if you get invited to people's homes or go to more rural areas you will need to have knees & shoulders covered.
Floaty maxi skirts, and short sleeve ( or cap sleeve tops are good)
Kaftan style tops with linen trousers. Don't take too much, you can buy everything there, & at the moment the exchange rate is very good.
Leave your short shorts at home, leave your stilettos behind ( streets are terrible to walk around in heels) leave your Lycra behind ( unless it's for the gym) leave synthetic fabrics behind.
Take a couple of cardigans/ wraps for cool evenings. A lightweight good waterproof jacket for the monsoon rain.
I wear my fit flops a lot there, crocs for the kids are a good idea.

You will have a great time! I will be out there again soon for work
Enjoy.

Bluestocking · 04/09/2013 22:04

As Holla says, have you been to Delhi before? I haven't lived there since 1988 but I still go regularly. I usually wear Indian clothes - or western clothes in an Indian way, so lots of trousers and tunics. I would never wear shorts/short skirts/tight leggings/spaghetti strap tops out and about - it would attract the wrong sort of attention.
What's taking you there and when are you going?

Funions · 04/09/2013 22:06

Hello. I can help I hope. I had an extended trip to India and did a bit of a packing post mortem, which I will have a hunt for. Don't underestimate what you can buy locally, which will be fun to wear and climate appropriate.

Major things: take lots of bras, pants etc, it's a bit more of a hassle to find your preferred style/sizing of underwear. Ditto anything like sports bras, swimwear.

Also, if you like plain, non-spangly, non-fussy t-shirts, bring them.

Really don't bother with warm clothes options; complete waste of time.

The malls are quite expensive, try and get some local knowledge on local fashion traders; I could advise on Mumbai but not Delhi.

Will have a look for my list...

HollaAtMeBaby · 04/09/2013 22:08

For when you get there: FabIndia is a very good shop for Indian clothes, and has lots of branches in Delhi and throughout the country. They also do lovely home things that make great presents for people back home. It's like an Indian Zara!

Funions · 04/09/2013 22:25

totally support the modest clothing advice.

Don't bother bringing/buying floaty stuff from UK. You'll do much better locally picking up tunics, salwar kameez etc. It's very addictive getting into Indian fashions. I craved floaty trousers in all colours Shock

Here is my list:

*Things i wish i had brought...
Casual t-shirts for pool/gym
Thin casual necklace
Cool Closed toe shoes
Another pair of light semi-tailored trousers
Neutral coloured wrap
More t-shirts for DD
More skirts, less leggings for DD
2 more pairs sport socks
More suncream (found local stuff not v.effective)
Another sports bra needed for daily exercise routine (much less active in heat, so needed/wanted to do more indoor gym stuff, much to my surprise)
Baseball cap for poolside/general
Another pale strapless bra
Short pale underskirt

Glad I bought...
Dresses
Skirts
Flip flops
Fancy flip flops for eve (bought locally)
Strapless bra (nude in partic.)
cardigan
Tracksuit
Gym shorts
Salwar kameezes for eve (bought locally)

Things I overpacked...
Jackets
Insect repellent (get local stuff: Odomos)
2 or 3 swimming costumes would be fine
1 less pair dressy shoes/sandals (shoes get trashed)
Jewellery (but neutral daytime stuff lacking)

Packing flops:
Warm clothes
Jackets (travel only, one + layering)
Hats

CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 04/09/2013 22:29

Dh has a job out there with his company, one year contract.

I've been to India before but not Delhi. Where we are staying, the nearest shopping mall has a Zara and Debenhams, which my hometown here doesn't even have!

I have bought lots of linen trousers over the summer, loose t shirts, a couple of monsoon cotton tops with nice embroidery, a couple of maxi dresses (planning on a trip to goa at some point), a pair of wide leg cotton trousers, vest tops (mainly to wear indoors), I already have tonnes of scarves and jewellery to bling up outfits. Taking a couple of cardis of varying warmth. Do I need to take a coat? I have several tunic tops too. Would skinny jeans be too uncomfortable in the heat with longer tunic tops? Leggings under long tunics/dresses?

Planning on stocking up on underwear before I go,

OP posts:
CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 04/09/2013 22:31

Thanks funion, I'm guessing I shouldn't take any jeans at all then? Need to get some plain tshirts too.

OP posts:
CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 04/09/2013 22:40

Off at the end of the month!

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Funions · 04/09/2013 22:43

I would not take UK-grade jeans, buy some thinner ones there. I'm not sure about Delhi and coats, but would recommend breathable waterproofs, if you are staying for Monsoon.
Recommend Westside for kids clothes (western) and inexpensive slightly plainer women's indian fashion. Thumbs up for FabIndia and also Biba.

LeGavrOrf · 04/09/2013 22:44

This is why I love mumsnet. Look at brilliant posts like funions.

I have no advice to add, I omly read this thread out of nosiness, but good luck.

Funions · 04/09/2013 22:46

Do you know people there? It makes a big difference. I felt a bit isolated/stir crazy as a trailing spouse, until I got some friends and better local knowledge.

CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 04/09/2013 22:48

I know nobody there at the moment, but have enrolled ds1 in a preschool there so will hopefully make some mummyfriends...

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happybubblebrain · 04/09/2013 22:59

Last time I was in India I find it very hard to buy good toiletries and make-up anywhere in India. This was 11 years ago, so things might have improved. I would stock up before you go.

Shoes - I also found it difficult to find good quality and styles I liked in India as I like wedge heels. However, you can get your shoes repaired very easily and very cheaply in Delhi.

Fashion - I would wait until you are there to go shopping, your tastes might change a lot whilst there.

You will need a coat for Delhi in the winter, it gets very cold.

foxysocks · 04/09/2013 23:10

You can't get ANY good hair care and skin care is thin on the ground. Take all the toiletries that you care about and a suitcase full of tampons they are impossible to find.

CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 04/09/2013 23:14

Foxy, DH has reported to me that he has seen Clinique and mac on sale there.... Will take my own stuff though, he can never be trusted with brands....

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BobbyGentry · 04/09/2013 23:20

Top tip, that was mentioned was to take a safety pin then if you were to be inappropriately gropped, a quick prick from the safety pin sends the correct message quickly, to stop, and leaves no discernible mark. It is apparently most useful on internal overnight bus journeys!

I'd think some form of head covering and Imodium would be essential :)

A few nice salwar kameezs would look lovely and be very practical, you can buy from Amazon.

Having good medical insurance, places at international school and vaccines uptodate would be a good move too!

Have a good year!

ArabellaBeaumaris · 04/09/2013 23:41

I would take jeans actually, it does get chilly in Delhi. Well, not chilly exactly, but cold enough for jeans!

Just go to Fabindia & Anouki (?) for all the rest when you get there!

Min30 · 05/09/2013 01:35

I lived in India for 6 years up until last year, Delhi for a year. Each month it seemed there was more and more "stuff" available. You can get most things, it's really only if you have a "particular" brand you prefer that is worth taking bulk items over. Are you having a shipment? Are you in Delhi or Gurgaon? I did like to stock up on Sunscreen and children's medicines when home as while these are available I just liked to use what I was familiar with:-)

By the end of our time there we were more interested in bringing beef, sausages, bacon and cheese back with us when we travelled...no I'm not kidding:-)

I always wore regular western clothes but I like to be fairly covered up anyway, and while I was stared at a lot (your children will especially get a lot of attention) I don't think it was because of what I was wearing and I was never touched. They would try and touch my children and always wanted to take a picture. You get used to it after a while, it's not a big deal.

There are some great western style shopping malls with Zara, Mango, Esprit, Benetton etc I bought underwear and swimwear from Debenhams without any problems and also markets like sarojini nagar where you can buy branded clothes like esprit, desiguel etc for tiny prices, but you need to bargain hard. Marks and Spencer was delivering there for a reasonable price but not sure if that is still available. It get's cold in winter and apartments are not well insulated so it can be quite cold inside. Very hot in Summer also.

I really enjoyed my time in India and the expat community there is great. While where I am could be considered an"easier" posting in some ways, I def miss it...Enjoy!

HerRoyalNotness · 05/09/2013 02:21

I have nothing to add except Envy! Have a fantastic time!

CheeseAndFriedMushrooms · 05/09/2013 07:52

Min30 we'll be staying in Gurgaon.

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Gracie990 · 05/09/2013 10:27

I loved India but you do need to cover up. The attention is annoying.

Be prepared for the begging it's bad and the poverty heartbreaking.

Min30 · 05/09/2013 11:10

That's where I lived, let me know if you want more info:-)

dontyouwantmebaby · 05/09/2013 12:21

OP I lived in India for many years. I regretted buying expensive linen, embroidered, sequinned stuff from Monsoon etc as you can get all that over there for a fraction of the cost.

As you'll be in Dehli/Gurgaon, I'd def take your jeans. As others say, it gets very hot and also very cold.

I think taking well-made, expensive, closed toe type shoes is a mistake. I bought several new pairs for work and barely wore them, opting for lovely sandals that I had made locally instead.

About covering up, you can buy lots of lovely pashminas when you are out there which are both warming for evenings when you need it and also cooling during the day when you need to cover from the sun.

Things I am glad that I stocked up on whilst back in the UK - underwear, good bras, toiletries that I particularly like.

Western shops like M&S can be pretty pricey in India. The malls are good for these and I picked up some Esprit, Bennetton stuff too but didn't find it cheaper than over here.

In Indian shopping malls, you can get great children's clothes (also expat communities usually have swaps of children toys/clothes/equipment etc when families are due to leave or arrive).

If shopping in India don't be put off by clothing sizes that say XXXXXXL (slight exaggeration), even my size 10-12 expat friends were finding they had to buy the Large version in Indian shops Grin

Enjoy, its a fantastic country to experience, wonderfully warm people. I found reading expat forums, cultureshock books helped too.

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