What To Wear In India
To sum it up - Travel light and dress modestly
- If you are traveling to India, carry minimal clothing, both clothing and laundry are cheap.
- India is very traditional and some heads will turn if you dress provocatively in public. Short tops, short skirts / shorts, tight or body revealing clothes etc should be avoided. You might invite unwanted attention from certain men who stare and pass comments at women to amuse themselves.
- For men loose cotton shirts or T-shirts and long linen trousers work well. Long - to avoid being bitten at night.
- In the big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Banglore, Pune, etc you can wear shorts.
- However when you are not in the tourist hotels or shops, cotton shirts or T-shirts, with cotton trousers or ankle length skirts are good and cover your shoulders.
- Take jeans and some full-sleeved shirts and T shirts for comfortable travelling.
- Full-sleeved clothes are ideal protection against sun tan during the day and mosquito bites at night.
- Be sure to have good sturdy shoes with you since your feet will get dusty and dirty while travelling.
- It is best to avoid high heels, flat sandals will do just fine.
- A hat is a must for the summer and an umbrella is great for the rain and sun.
- While visiting places of worship (temples, gurudwara or mausoleum), women must wear long skirts or trousers and have covered shoulders. Also, don't forget to remove your footwear before entering any religious place.
- Sleeveless shirts, if decent can be worn without any problems.
- It is advisable to carry a light stole or scarf with you to cover your head in case it gets too hot. Some religious places also require you to cover your head, so it may come handy then.
- If you are travelling out of the main tourist areas, the best and most comfortable wear are the local loose trousers and long top called Lehngas, readily available and very reasonably priced.
- If you are travelling by train a pashmina or jumper will come in handy as the air conditioning can be fierce.
- Indian summers are very hot. So, if you are planning to go in the period of March to June, pack light cotton clothes. Do not wear synthetic as you may develop some skin allergy or heat burns.
- Make sure you take Sun cream with you – it's expensive in India.
- Swimwear, take it with you as it's difficult to get and expensive as Indians never use or wear it.
- Winters (October to February) in India are quite cold, especially North India. So, pack some warmer layers. Also, pack some thermal underwear, especially if you are planning to roam around.
- Buy mosquito cream out there – you will need plenty.
- No matter how good a sleeper you are pack we suggest you pack ear plugs this can feel like a country that never sleeps.
Great Clothes to Pack for India
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Packing advice for cities in India
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