appropriate dress-up wear in Bhutan?
 

I am traveling to Sikkim and Bhutan in the fall. The trip people have told us to bring a skirt (for temples and such) and also something dressy to wear in case of ceremonies or formal events. The implication was to bring an actual dress.

I am very limited on luggage, and almost never wear dresses anyway. Would like to pack a pair of dressy black knit pants and a colorful dressy tunic top in lightweight fabric, but am wondering if this is appropriate for such events in this part of the world?

We are not getting very detailed direction from those sponsoring the trip.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Janna

What kind of tour is this Janna? I'm quite mystified.

Hi, dogster--It is being sponsored by a yoga retreat center, led by yoga teachers (of which I am one)--we will do the usual tourist stuff, but also the leaders know a lot of people, so I gather that we will go to people's homes, attend festivals as personal guests, etc.

These people have done this trip before, so I guess we will get more info, but they have been slow in providing details thus far. I am not worried about their ability to manage the tour, but I like to plan ahead and have a pretty busy life, hence my inquiring about dress now, so I can perhaps buy something if what I have is not appropriate.

Whatever you feel comfortable wearing will be appropriate - and if it isn't, your hosts will be far too polite to mention it. It's a while since I was a woman, but I have observed the all-purpose scarfy, wrappy thing works wonders on females abroad.

Whatever you do, don't take a little black dress and high heels. Above all, don't try and look ethnic Bhutanese.

I'm sure someone wise will offer you fashion advice. Frankly, I wouldn't fuss about it.

I didn't take a skirt to Bhutan and never felt I needed one. I did take a sarong (I think that's what dogster is referring to) but didn't wear it there. However, I didn't mix with any big wigs. If you like fabrics you may be tempted by the Bhutanese fabric, local women wear ankle-length tubes of fabric broached at the shoulders over blouses - see pix here: http://tinyurl.com/2byauh3

I am bewildered by the instruction to bring a skirt. The usual instructions for entering temples and shrines is to have your shoulders and knees covered. Sarongs are often used for extra coverage when needed. Nice-looking long pants and an appropriate top should be fine everywhere.

No, I meant a wrap thing. Like a big scarf that you wrap around your shoulders, thereby covering up anything underneath. A cashmere thing. I always think women look very elegant in foreign climes with one of those.

A pashmina, dog? Is that what you are talking about. Janna...it has been years since I traveled with a skirt. As Kathie says a nice pair of black pants and a top that is not too revealing or glitzy will do nicely probably.

Thank you to all who have replied! I do have a long casual khaki-type travel skirt (i.e. tailored, buttonfront, pocketed style, that I would wear just like casual pants, but in lightweight quick-drying fabric).

But it sounds like my black pants/nice top idea will work very well for whatever "dress up" we encounter, plus a pashmina, of course! (Yes, dogster, travel everywhere with those, they look good and are handy for all kinds of things!)

Thanks for the photos, thursdaysd.

I'm rarely stressed by clothing questions when traveling, I'm just feeling that we are not getting very good info at this point.

I'd wait until you got to Bhutan and learn the particulars. You can always pick up a Bhutanese long skirt ( similar to a sarong or longi) at a local shop in Thimphu. I find them very useful travel garments unless you are climbing 50+ steps, then they are too narrow and constricting. But for air conditioning, they are great and some of the designs for very handsome.

We finally got a bit more info, and I'm feeling comfortable with my pants/tunic idea, plus will surely want to buy something there anyway. So thanks again for all advice.