Clothing Tips for Women Travelling To India

You'll probably want to bring only two or three sets of clothes from home, and then go shopping for more suitable clothes when you arrive. Many of the clothes that we wear at home are not appropriate for India, either in terms of the climate or in terms of the culture. As far as the culture is concerned, India is simply not a country where one can safely go around dressed as most of us do in the West, so it's important to be familiar with the Indian dress code and the reasons behind it. Also Visit - Golden Triangle Tour Packages

Whether you believe it should or not, how you dress profoundly affects how people respond to you (this is even more the case in India than in most other countries). Women who dress and act modestly are much more highly regarded than those who flout the cultural norms, and they are safer from sexual harassment. Wearing clothing that is indecent by Indian standards is insulting to the culture, and it also gives men the idea that you are available for sexual favors to anyone who wants you—even if your behavior emphatically indicates the opposite.

 

Since standards vary from place to place, you can look around at how most of the local women dress (not the tourists), and try to cover up to a similar extent. Nevertheless, it's essential to understand the basic Indian dress code. What kind of clothes you choose to wear is not as important as how you wear them. If you don't want to always be thinking about what to wear, you can just follow the general guidelines below to feel comfortable virtually anywhere in India.

While it's fine to wear Western clothes almost everywhere, it's essential to wear them in a manner that is respectful to the very modest Indian culture. Virtually every Indian, including both men and women (not to mention several foreigners), to whom I mentioned this book told me, "I hope you are going to tell the women how to dress!" Most Indians are much too to tell you to your face if you are inappropriately dressed, but they certainly notice. If you don't believe me, just walk behind a woman in shorts or other attire that is similarly deficient by local standards for a few minutes and observe the expressions olf the locals as she passes. The ones who avert their eyes are also making a statement.

  

It's true that many girls and women—especially in Mumbai and Delhi and other places that see a lot of tourists, as well as on college campuses—have taken to wearing jeans with short tops, etc. However, as a visitor, you are already at a disadvantage due to common preconceptions, so it is much safer to dress a bit more conservatively. And don't look to Bollywood or fashion magazines for cues on how to dress. They have nothing to do with real life. Also Visit - Delhi Jaipur and Agra with Fatehpur Sikri Tour

Basic standards of modesty all over India require that you cover your knees, upper arms, shoulders, cleavage and midriff. It's acceptable for your midriff to be exposed when wearing a sari, but not otherwise. Shorts and short skirts are not acceptable. Underwear should always be worn discretely under your clothes where it belongs, and it should not show at all. A bra is essential unless you are as flat-chested as an eight-year old. Tops should not show your cleavage or be too tight or revealing. Leave your, shorts, spaghetti-strap dresses, bikinis, tank tops, etc., at home. While sleeveless tops are becoming more common in some of India's big cities during the hot season, in general they are not acceptable. Short sleeves are usually OK, except in the more conservative areas.

 

When wearing pants, go for loose tunic-style tops that cover your crotch and buttocks. At home, many of us like to where wear our blouses neatly tucked into jeans or slacks, but here, it's better to let them hang out. One great advantage of wearing long tops is that they hide the fact that your underwear is visible through thin fabric so you can wear lightweight pants in hot weather.

If you bring a swimsuit, it should be a conservative one, no matter where you plan to wear it. A one- piece is preferable. Although there are certain beaches where it seems that “everyone” wears bikinis, I'd advise against it. On the way to or from the beach or pool, or whenever you are interacting with locals, put something modest on over your swimsuit.

In certain conservative locations and in many places of worship, you will also need to cover your head. Observe what the local women do, and do likewise.

Traditional Indian clothes are often more comfortable than Western clothes, especially in the heat. Even in extremely hot weather, having your arms and legs covered with very light cotton actually keeps you cooler than shorts and halter tops can. Most Indians love it when you wear Indian dress because it shows your appreciation of their culture. Wearing traditional clothing also serves as a great icebreaker. Many people will comment on it, and you will find that the comments are generally very appreciative. Also Visit - Golden Triangle Travel Package

If you'd like to try Indian clothes, you'll probably want to start with one of the two basic varieties of ladies' pantsuits: the salwar-kamiz (a.k.a. Punjabi suit), which consists of a long tunic top (kamiz) over baggy pants (salwar) which are banded at the bottom, or the churidhar-kamiz, which has the kamiz over skinny straight pants (churidhar) that are worn bunched around the calf and ankle. Incidentally, churidhars are mainly worn by young women and teens, and not so much by older women in most places. A scarf draped across the front completes the outfit. The scarf (chunni or dupatta) is an essential part of the ensemble, without which you may be regarded as an immoral woman, especially in small towns and villages. You can buy suits readymade or else you can buy a "suit piece," which consists of three coordinated pieces of fabric (for the top, pants and scarf), and have it made up by a tailor. For a more international look, get the pants made with a straight leg.

In many parts of South India, as well as a few other places, ankle-length skirts (lehngas) worn with an over blouse and a large scarf are common. However, do pay attention to which styles of dress are worn by women of your own age to avoid unwittingly parading around in something considered childish or inappropriate. Long dresses are not traditional. The ankle-length dresses you see for sale everywhere are really nightgowns. While it's OK wear one say, to the corner market for some milk, or while having morning chai with friends on the veranda, it’s not acceptable to wear one all day.

The sari which is arguably the most beautiful style of dress, in the world, is the most common form of women's clothing. It's worn almost everywhere in India, although it's wrapped in different ways according to local custom. Saris are comfortable and easy to wear once you get used to them. It's fun to learn to wrap one, and any Indian woman will be happy to show you how to do it.

 

Although it's not essential, you can pin the sari to make sure it stays on. Use a big safety-pin at the waist that goes through all the pleats from the inside of your petticoat so that it doesn't show, and a smaller pin or brooch at the shoulder to keep the end (pallu) from sliding down.

Saris can be both modest and sexy, depending on the blouse and style of wearing the sari, but don't go to the extreme of wearing very skimpy blouses. Wearing your sari too low on your hips, whether for a sexier look or because you are tall, is also not acceptable. Saris should be worn long so that the bottom is no more than about an inch or so off the ground with your shoes on; your ankles are not supposed to show. If you are tall, you may need to have an extra piece of matching fabric added to the part you tuck in. It won't show, and you will look much better than if you wear the sari inappropriately. Also Visit - Golden Triangle with Shimla Tour

 

Although saris seem to be a one-size item, they really aren't. Most are 44," but some saris that are made i n certain parts of the country are up to a few inches narrower or wider. If you are exceptionally tall or short, look for one that is the appropriate width. Many sari merchants who get their merchandise from only one or two sources are unaware of the regional differences. Saris also come in different lengths, 5.5 meters being usual

Incidentally, sari petticoats may look like long skirts, but they are undergarments that are worn under saris. If you wear one as a skirt, people will stare at you mercilessly. Only an extremely poor woman who had nothing else would ever wear one as a skirt.

The blouse (choli) that you wear under a sari is typically a fitted, midriff-revealing style with short sleeves that is fastened in front with hooks. However, you can always have it made with long sleeves for cooler weather, or long enough to tuck in if you are uncomfortable with your midriff exposed or a bit looser if wearing such a tight blouse makes you feel like a stuffed sausage. Blouses are normally made with wide margins (seams) so they can easily be let out if one's figure grows more 'prosperous'.

 

Most saris come with a blouse piece, which consists of about a meter of fabric. It's usually attached to one end of the sari. You can take it to a tailor to have made into a blouse. If you don't have a blouse piece, go to a matching store, which is a shop that typically has a huge array of colors in cotton rubia and similar fabrics out of which you can make your blouse and matching petticoat. If you want some different fabric, you can easily get it dyed to match

A conservative Western-style dress or business suit (i.e., below knee length and not too tight or low-cut) is appropriate for doing business in India. If you prefer a pantsuit, it should cover your buttocks and crotch. Also Visit - Golden Triangle Tour with Mathura Vrindavan

For social meetings with business associates, you can wear conservative dresses, or nice pantsuits, either Indian or Western style. Long pants and modest tops are the norm for sports activities. Shorts are generally not acceptable except in some exclusive health clubs (but you would normally change their rather than wearing the shorts en route). See what the Indian women you are working with wear for casual attire and follow their example—as long as it's not too immodest, of course. Evening attire can be extremely fancy, depending on the occasion. Saris can be worn for many celebrations

Even if you are a budget traveler, you'll probably want to have at least one nice outfit to dress up in if the occasion calls for it. Whenever you go somewhere that requires getting dressed up, ask your friends what is appropriate. If you are invited to a wedding or other fancy event, ask an Indian friend or acquaintance to take you shopping for clothes. You might also be able to borrow something for the occasion. Incidentally, Indians are generally much too polite to tell guests that they are dressed inappropriately even when asked directly, so you have to figure out in advance what is the right thing to wear.

If you are invited to a temple for an important celebration, do dress nicely. At the least, you should wear something clean' modest and pressed. If you choose to wear a sari, it doesn't have to be an expensive one. Happily, you can get a beautiful sari for much less than you would pay for a new pair of jeans at home. If you have long (below shoulder-length) hair, it's best to wear ear it tied back or up in some way. Leaving it loose can be seen as immodest.

For more information on clothing Tips for Women Travelling to India and India tour packages contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.