women's clothing
 

I'm spending my honeymoon in India this October/November, and am staying at pretty top-end hotels (Taj/Oberi) - I know that I need to dress fairly modestly whilst I'm sightseeing, but in the hotel would more western dress be acceptable? I have a couple of evening-ish dresses that I'd like to wear for dinner (one is strapless, one with shoe-string straps) - would this sort of thing be acceptable or not, purely within the hotels?

I don't know, but gut feeling is that they would be fine - they are not backless are they or really low cut? Even then they would probably be OK in such top-end accomo.

While you are there do take the chance to buy and wear a salwar kameez/punjabi suit. There are some very beautiful ones available and apart from making you blend in they are a joy to wear (make you feel good); are suitable for the climate; and provide alternative frocking up when back home.

Have a fantastic trip.

Thank you - no the dresses are not low cut and are knee length, they purely show my shoulders which I'm concerned may cause offence etc. And thanks for the advice on the salwar kameez/punjabi suit, I will take you up on that.

Hi,
I'm getting ready for my second trip to India. On my first trip I dressed very conservatively (and will on this trip) and wore salwar kemeez with several positive remarks.
One night I was so sick of covering up I wore a fitted kinda sorta/sexy dress to dinner when we ate a nice hotel. It felt good for change and felt perfectly presentable.

Having recently returned from an Oberoi/Taj tour of India, I can tell you without question that your strappy dresses would be just fine--perfect, in fact. Just don't take too many dressy clothes. People really don't dress up imuch n India except for Mumbai. That being said, the Oberoi crowd is always quite chic, even if casual.

Also, please do not worry about being overly "modest" while sight seeing. You can basically wear anything you want. All the young people I saw were wearing exactly what they would have worn in the US--even including some goth-looking kids. No one even gave them a second look. T-shirts and slacks are perfect.

You are going at a nice time of year and the weather should be perfect. You will love the Oberoi hotels--and the great spas! Enjoy the hotels, but mostly enjoy your honeymoon. Congratulations!

The night life in India is mainly centered around the 5 star hotels. This is especially true in Mumbai and Delhi and more so for the Oberoi in Delhi and the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. These two hotels have some of the most upscale restaurants in the city. Local who frequent the Oberoi in Delhi, are very well dressed.

I stayed in Taj hotels for a business trip a few months back. I do not think people are overly dressy or modest. The only thing I did notice is that women did not show cleavage. The would show their back or side/belly in a sari but never cleavage. I did not feel it was dressy or conservative ihn the hitels. the dress you mention will be fine.

I wouldn't wear a strapless one. On the other hand, you can always cover the cleavage/shoulders with a lightweight scarf. I got a lovely embroided and beaded gauzy-silk scarf from India, and use it to cover up for the eveningwear.