WHAT TO WEAR IN INDIA: GUIDE & ADVICE FROM A LOCAL

 What to wear in India on your trip there is a topic that provokes a lot of thought, discussion and debate! And so… we’re here to help 😉  With half of this blog being Indian and a Mumbai-ker, and the other half (me) having travelled around India solo on many an occasion, we’d like to share a few tips for how to dress in India – and dispel a few myths along the way!  

What to Wear in India: A Complete Guide for Women Travellers (and Men!).

It’s no secret that India is (at least one of) our favourite travel destination(s) on the planet. There’s enough to awe, entertain, and inspire you here for months (if not years) – and many a traveller has fallen for India’s charms.

India also seems to suffer from something of a reputation problem, though – particularly when it comes to the topic of female travel. The question of solo female travel in India is hotly debated, and with it a certain emphasis comes on how to carry yourself and how to dress in India.

India is a sub-continent, populated by over a billion people. Times are changing fast and India is firmly set to become one of our world’s economic powerhouses. Although we may see pictures of poverty, tradition and rural India on (social) media, the country is far more than that. Mumbai is reportedly home to the greatest number of billionaires in the world, and you’re just as likely to see beautiful girls in hot pants on a saturday night out as women in sarees.

There is no one answer to the question “what to wear in India”. Rather there are as many answers as there are times of day – such are the nuances of this rapidly changing country and culture.

But fear not. Just before you get really frustrated with us for refusing to answer your question 😉 we aren’t done just yet. This is a mini-guide to clothing for travel in India, what to avoid, myths about what to wear in India, and sensitivities to be aware of. This post is largely intended for the ladies seeing as (frankly) they have a much tougher job of dressing for travel in India – but we do have a section especially for the guys too. Scroll down!

PS seeing as we’re British (or half of us is) we’ll mostly be calling pants trousers in here (or using them interchangably) – so you know what that means!

Dressing for Safe Travel in India

We’re guessing what brought you to this post is your desire to a) be safe travelling in India and b) be culturally appropriate and respectful while travelling in India. Firstly: Thank You! The world needs many more sensitive travellers like you.

Secondly: Despite the warnings and cautionary tales, India is an incredibly rewarding place to travel, and the vast majority of female (and male) travellers who venture here do not experience any trouble. If you follow your common sense, keep an eye on your surroundings, and are aware of how you are perceived then it will increase your safety, too!

How you dress does have a direct impact on how you may be perceived during your trip to India – especially if you’re venturing off the beaten path. Which is why how to dress in India as a tourist is an often debated topic. Whatever you wear in India, if you have a non-Indian skin tone (either lighter or darker) and different colour hair, you will stand out. But wearing revealing clothes on top of that, can add some masala to the attention. Which you probably don’t want! Foreign women are sometimes perceived as “exotic” and naturally attract increased interest in what is still a male dominated society where women are in short supply – so to mitigate that you want to cover up more than you might at home (while staying cool).

I was happy I had a scarf here – to help shield my head from the 35+ degree heat!

Do’s and Don’ts of dressing in India

Based on our experiences, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts:

• Do look around you: Take note of what local women are wearing, what areas of the body they are covering, and take your queue from them (we’re not saying you have to buy a saree but if everyone around you is in shorts, you’re probably fine in the same).
• Do ask if you’re not sure: Ask local friends if you have them, ask other hotel/hostel guests, or ask tour guides for feedback on what you’re wearing if you’re really not sure.
• If you’re at the beach, don’t wear swimwear off the beach, even just to cross the road to get your coconut water. Many of India’s beautiful beaches are actually in more conservative communities (depending where in the country you are) and not dressing properly causes offence. In Goa or at resort beaches, bikinis are fine, but on local beaches it’s better to swim partially clothed (a loose t-shirt over your swimsuit is a good idea).
• Don’t ever sunbathe topless. Even if you think no-one can see you, they probably can. And do you really want your nude top half going viral on WhatsApp?
• Don’t show lots of leg. You’ll see that locals, regardless of where you are very rarely show leg. It’s best to wear long trousers and skirts. An exception is some beach towns (Goa and Varkala being the obvious examples) where shorts can be fine.
• Don’t show cleavage or wear strappy tops. In more liberal parts of the country sleeveless shirts or tunics are fine, whereas in other places you’ll feel more comfortable in sleeves.
• Do avoid overly tight, figure hugging clothes. Protect that booty by covering it with a long / loose top or loose pants/trousers!
• Do wear bright colours: Not only will they make your feel more cheerful, you’ll blend in to India’s rainbow of colour!

Dispelling a Few Myths

Given that India has been portrayed in a certain light in the media, travel advice tends so err on the cautious and a limited view of what it is like to live and travel in India has developed. Let’s be clear on a few things.

• It’s not always hot in India. Depending on when and where you travel, you may need warmer layers too.
• You don’t need to cover your hair in India (unless you’re entering a Sikh or Muslim religious shrine/temple/mosque)
• You don’t need to wear Indian clothing – see more below!
• Younger Indians are just as likely to be sporting t-shirts and skinny jeans than traditional Indian dress. It all depends on where you are!
• You don’t have to wear elephant pants. India is loved as a hippy, backpacking destination but it is perfectly possible to travel here and look smart, too!
• You can wear jewellery – just maybe leave your diamond collection / family jewels at home. Many Indians wear a lot of jewellery, so don’t be afraid to get some local jewellery for yourself, too (negotiate!).