My family will be traveling shortly to India and we were wondering what the appropriate dress code was for sightseeing when it's 100 degrees. Dressing conservatively sounds very hot. How dressy does everyone get for meals at the nice hotels and retaurants? I have three teenagers, my husband and myself. Thank you for your advice.

There is no dress code in India in the sense that you are expected to dress in a certain way. But women would be wise to not show cleavage, too much of leg, or wear short skirts - anything that reinforces the image of the Western woman projected by Hollywood (note that misrepresentation & misinterpretation of culture works both ways). In 100 degrees wear cotton tops and loose pants. And take an umbrella to ward off the afternoon sun. In high-end establishments such as five-star hotels, business casual would be apposite.

Hi TheresaMarie,

I stayed at all the Oberoi hotels and, although I brought some dressy clothes, I needed none of them--and I was there over the Christmas holidays! Just a nice top and a neat pair of slacks will get you anywhere. There is no "dress code" except in Mumbai where "high chic" is in.

As I have said in these forums before, I didn't see any particular dress code of westerners when I was there. Everyone wore essentially what they wore in the US--particularly teenagers. Western teenagers wore t-shirt and shorts and jeans (it was winter). In Bombay, even Indian teenage girls are wearing itty bitty t-shirts and low cut jeans.

Be careful of the intense sun. If I were you, I would buy some really lightweight Salwar Kameez and go native. Your kids will be fine in light T-shirts and shorts.

Thank you both for your help. I was afraid that in the muslim areas, more coverage would be necessary. My 14 year old daughter will be relieved to know that her shorts will be ok. I knew that bright colors would be fine given the beautiful saris that we will see. I know we will need some longer skirts since we also go to Rome for a few days. I have watched women be turned away from the Vatican for wearing shorts before.

Everyone I know wears Shalwar Kameezes-why not? They're cool, lightweight and flattering, for the most part-going native is part of the fun of going to India, is it not?