Dress code in India

Old Nov 15th, 2014, 05:01 PM
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Dress code in India

In general, we try to honor as much as possible notions of appropriate dress in places where it's culturally insensitive to, for instance, wear shorts or show much skin.

That said, I'm a bit confused when it comes to India because I've read mixed messaging on what's considered appropriate there.

Honestly, lately, we've just worn shorts and t-shirts in most places we've been and never once felt like an ugly tourist. In Burma, I had read that it's uncouth to show skin and brought clothes to meet that expectation but once we got there, honestly, pretty much everyone we saw including some locals wore shorts. It was a huge relief to dress the way we normally do since I really abhor most travel clothing (wicking pants and shirts, etc.) so I'd like to avoid making that the majority of what we pack on this trip.

Curious from those folks who have gone -- what was your experience about what's "appropriate" way for foreigners to dress in India? (This is in relation to casual dress touring about the country. Obviously I know that in our hotels we have a lot more leeway both in terms of formality and informality)

Thanks!!
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 05:22 PM
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Hi Billy, you are going at a time when shorts just aren't necessary and would be totally out of place. We wore jeans and were quite happy in February and I would anticipate that December temps would be colder. I think you need to realize that it could be downright frigid by your standards i.e. 50's or 60's and you should go prepared for that.
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 05:51 PM
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My habit in India is to bring my usual clothes and supplement them heavily with clothes I buy there. My favorite place to shop is Fabindia. They have men's and women's cotton clothes in easy styles at VERY reasonable prices. I buy men's long kurtas and draw-string pants as the women's don't fit me, add a dupatta (scarf) when a head covering is suggested and love wearing them at home too. There are stores in cities all over the country, look on the website if interested. It's a fun place to shop, most customers are local.
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Old Nov 15th, 2014, 11:44 PM
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Wow. Okay. I was, perhaps mistakenly, under the impression that we were going in the "cooler" season. But, to me, "cooler" actually just meant not the usual oppressive hot that exists in India. So this is kind of shocking. Ironically enough, I've spent so much time researching every detail possible but I've never actually looked at a weather site for the time we're there.

Obviously this news kind of shocks me. I was thinking it would be more like in the 80s (F). I'm glad we're asking now because I was about to pack completely inappropriately.

Just did a quick predictive search on weather.com and it says averages can be about a high of 69 and low of 50. Is that really correct? If so, that changes my entire packing thought process.
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Old Nov 16th, 2014, 03:09 AM
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Fodor's saves the day, again...

Yes, those averages sound about right for December.
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Old Nov 16th, 2014, 03:18 PM
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Depends on where you are. In a big city like Delhi, shorts and T-Shirt are no problem. In a small village less so.
Obviously also different for women and men. There is a large Muslim minority in India.
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Old Nov 16th, 2014, 05:06 PM
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You may get some 80's when the sun is up in the sky, but definitely take clothes to layer against the chill. I forget where all you are going, but if doing any national park tours or traveling in the mountains, a hat and even mittens will be nice.

On one of my trips in November, I remember being quite cold at the Taj Mahal in the morning. In Shimla and Dharamsala the evening were chilly even in June.

But don't forget, you'll probably want to pick up a few scarves as gifts or souvenirs and can use them as needed. Lots of men wear woolen or pashmina scarves or shawls wrapped around their neck & shoulders.
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Old Nov 16th, 2014, 05:15 PM
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Lucy, we'll be in Delhi, Rajasthan (Jodhpur, Udaipur, Agra), Varanasi and then Kerala. I expect Kerala to be a bit more what I was expecting weather-wise (i.e., hot) but now seems all other destinations could be moderate to chilly.
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Old Nov 17th, 2014, 08:17 PM
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Hi Filmwill. Our family was in Delhi in January( 2013) and it was quite chilly ,high 30's ,damp and foggy. We were very happy to have the hat, mittens and light polar fleeces. In Agra, although it was in the upper 60's during the day, it was 40's in the morning when we first came. We also traveled to Amritsar over New years .Walking barefoot through cold water at the golden Temple was quite an experience in the temp about 36.
Kerala was very comfortable -high 70's -while we were there. My daughter and I usually wore silk wrap skirts( made from repurposed saris), which came down below our knees. They were very comfortable, easy to wash,quick to dry; we even wore them in some of the pools where we were encouraged to wear more modest clothing to swim ( we are not the bikini wearing sort!)
I hope you enjoy your trip. It is an amazing place.
Evelyn
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 12:12 PM
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Does the large muslim minority in india have something to do with the clothing other folks choose to wear?
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 01:41 PM
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Not sure what you mean by the above...Many of the best places to buy a sari are muslim owned....

But mostly the muslims dress one way and the Hindus another way. Most noticeable in the women's dress. I don't think any one group tries to influence the other's choice of clothing, if that's what you mean.
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Old Nov 18th, 2014, 11:29 PM
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"There is a large Muslim minority in India." FMJ.

So what? There are also many small minorities there too.
I suspect ?? that FMJ thinks we should somehow adhere to the norms of the muslims, coz if they don't like what you are doing or wearing they may make big trouble for you. Others more tolerant.
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Old Nov 19th, 2014, 04:17 AM
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That was quite a leap of "logic" jobin. I didn't read FMJ's post in that way at all.
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Old Nov 19th, 2014, 11:10 PM
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When we were there (September), we didn't run into any other Americans. Most western travelers were Europeans (the majority from Spain) or Aussies or ex-pat types from Hong Kong. Didn't see anyone in shorts, even in the heat. Not your favorite look, filmwill, but the stylish Europeans looked as if they had just been hiking in Portland. We saw a LOT of outdoorsy quick-dry convertible cargos (or chic yoga wear for the ladies). Also Fabindia tunics for men and women.

From my trip report:
"In the evening, even at the Oberoi, women showed up in ethnic tops and men in linen drawstring pants. Indian and Asian travelers were often very dressed up. For shoes, Mr. C lived in his Keens and I had two pairs of sandals and water resistant trail runners. Hats are a good idea, as are “temple socks,” although we never seemed to have ours with us when needed...ditto for the flashlights."
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