Holiday in India - what should I wear?

[highlandcoo]

I feel very lucky to be going on a trip to India to celebrate my birthday next January. I won't be just in the usual cities but will also be spending some time in rural areas and visiting temples etc so dress needs to be fairly modest and appropriately respectful.

I'm thinking ahead about what to wear because I guess summer clothes won't be available in shops nearer the time.

I've realised that my existing summer wardrobe, although not at all short and revealing, probably isn't suitable because most of my stuff is knee length and sleeveless and while not figure-hugging it isn't loose either.

Any suggestions for what would be appropriate? Would it be realistic to only take a few things and buy stuff there maybe?

Any advice much appreciated

I would wear light cotton tunics and linen trousers to keep cool but covered up and so not to offend and not attract any unwanted attention.

Thanks noenergy I was thinking that might be a good solution. I've been keeping my eyes open but there's not much around. Poetry have some stuff that looks suitable but very expensive.

I live within travelling distance of Manchester and I know there are lots of shops in Rusholme so might be worth a try there. I once went with a family friend to help choose her wedding sari. I wasn't looking for more casual stuff at the time but guess it might be available.

You're lucky as loose/ long stuff is very in at the moment! When I went (coming up to 10 years ago now- god I feel old) I mainly wore long loose skirts and t-shirts, think this type of skirt-

m.asos.com/asos/asos-design-maxi-skirt-with-paperbag-waist/prd/8950857?clr=black&SearchQuery=&cid=2639&gridcolumn=2&gridrow=8&gridsize=2&pge=1&pgesize=72&totalstyles=460

You could also go for loose jumpsuits like this-

uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_1,mon_1.7/4438546110

m.asos.com/asos/asos-design-spot-tea-jumpsuit-in-linen-look-with-side-tie-detail/prd/9447347?clr=groundspot&SearchQuery=&cid=7618&gridcolumn=1&gridrow=7&gridsize=2&pge=2&pgesize=72&totalstyles=251

Baggy, culotte type trousers like this are always great-

m.zara.com/uk/en/culottes-with-asymmetric-pleats-p01971023.html?v1=6092450&v2=719022

And I saw lots of women wearing loose hippy type dresses like this:

www.floryday.com/Cotton-Solid-Short-Sleeve-Maxi-Shift-Dress-m1040411?currency=GBP&country_code=GB&utm_term=5130134&color=dark_green&size=xs&not_pop=1&currency=GBP&country_code=GB&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuMrXBRC_ARIsALWZrIhVJ38vee9Z1_u2ITxS-sA--lTp51xIVq62dDxcKdwdyY_TQumdsYkaAj89EALw_wcB

It's not as conservative as you might think. In general the only no-goes are exposed legs and tight fitting stuff. A bit of barely there cleavage is fine and midriffs/arms are also fine- indian women often wear saris with their bellies and underboobs out and a bit of cleavage.

Once you get there, buy a cheap lightweight scarf. This is great because if you're ever in a more conservative area where you feel a bit too exposed you can just throw it on and cover up. Also essential for if you're visiting mosques or palaces etc.

I found I felt much more uncomfortable and got much more unwanted attention in the Middle East than I did in India. I had a horrible experience in morrocco walking back from the beach alone one day in a play suit which had my shoulders and a bit of cleavage exposed- I was walking down a street and had men leering at me and making comments the whole way, it was very scary and I was almost in tears by the time I was home. In India white western women are a novelty so you can expect lots of stares but no negative comments. India is predominantly hindi and Christian rather than Muslim and so the women are permitted to wear a much more relaxed dress code

Uniqlo

My friend travelled in India for
6 months and wore harem pants and tahirts with short sleeves all the time. Carried a light scarf for when bras covering was necessary

HEAD covering!! Not bras

It really depends where you are as to what is ok to wear. Regardless of what people might say to your face (to be polite), in certain areas, being covered up is definitely preferred -especially In the rural areas. Either go to Indian shops here or look on ebay or Amazon for cotton "kurtis" - way cheaper and more selection than looking in other shops for the odd cotton tunic. You have to search through a lot sometimes but it's worth it. Maxi skirts/dresses can also be useful and definitely a light scarf. Shopping is brilliant though so you could buy loads when you get there and if you arrive in a big city, you can find everything in a mall if you're a bit tired to be trawling round the little shops. In many cities, a slightly preppy version of what many people wear here is perfectly usual to see - skinny jeans and tops etc

All good advice, especially the scarf. I also bought some stuff out there as it was loose and cotton.

Oh and also thin jersey harem/yoga type pants could be worth buying now.

I spend a lot of time in rural parts of India and it's very different from the cities. Where exactly are you going, OP? If you can give us a bit more info, we can hopefully help, but there are certainly regional differences that you probably need to bear in mind.

I'd focus on dressing very modestly. You'll get lots of hassle if you don't. Long sleeves as well as long legs!

Loose comfortable clothes and something to cover your head and shoulders at religious sites.

Lovely time to visit

Covering arms & legs

I went some years ago (cities and rural), and by about day 3 I was so sick of the "accidental" groping and nudging as we walked round I went and bought a length of fabric to wear as a sort of floaty scarf thing to cover my entire front. I wasn't even dressed in revealing clothes - 3/4 arm length t shirt type things and cargo trousers most of the time.

Basically you need to entirely disguise your boobs and don't even consider a v neck on anything.

Long sleeves/trousers also have a bonus of warding off mosquitos. Big cities are more relaxed. If you want Indian clothes go to smaller malls or individual shops. The last time I went to a big one in Delhi there was one called Fab India otherwise Next, M&S and various other western designer labels. Local clothes will run so take care when washing (I have a lovely red top but now know it runs into my bra on a hot day.

If you are wanting some cheap 'asian clothes ' take a look at Rupali. They have loads online inc some kurtis (shirt like dresses) also suits me is another online store.

www.rupalionline.com/products/tops-kurtis/soft-reyon-viscose-printed-tunic-kurtis-61108-01
Maybe something like this with some leggings?
id wear something like that if I wasn't pregnant atm lol

We went to India 3 years ago. I just wore maxi dresses from Sainsburys and ordinary clothes in Delhi. A lot of travellers wear those ethnic type harem pants with a blouse. The older English travellers wore horrible ( but suitable) linen capris with a long shirt. I took some leggings but didn't wear them much though they do preserve your decency when getting on an elephant!

I work and travel a lot in India and have put together a really useful working wardrobe of linen trousers bought from Primark of all places, and some knee length kurtas that I had copied in India from one expensive Poetry one. Indian women have a totally different shape and colouring to us, so don't assume the local clothing will flatter you. It's not necessarily cheaper there, either. Zara often has a suprisingly good selection of kaftans too.

Wear a beautiful Indian scarf, called a dupatta, or some interesting Indian jewellery. It will really flatter your hosts (Indians are big on syncretism) and is usually a good opening gambit for conversation.

If you search on eBay for Lagenlook, you get lots of floaty linen clothes.

The good thing about all the recommendations so far is that the looser-fitting cover-ups that respect local sensiblities are also the most comfortable.

The sad thing is that none of this will protect you from unwanted attention, so be careful.

You cover your knees, shoulders and everything in between. T shirt and capris are fine. Do you check the weather before you go as it can get very cold in January depending on where you are.

Why not wear a sarong whilst there, a nice floaty one.