Appropriate dress
Jul 15, 2019 | 4:51 pm
#1
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Appropriate dress
My wife (caucasian about 60) and step daughter(about 30) are accompanying men a trip to India (Rajasthan, Rishikesh). I am of Indian origin but left Chennai over 45 years back. They are concerned about what kind of clothing would be appropriate to wear. The trip includes both an official business function as well as sightseeing/yoga trip. Any suggestions or pictures?
Jul 15, 2019 | 5:26 pm
#3
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Exactly what I was going to suggest. It's right here.
Or, ask a moderator to move this thread to there.
Or both.
Or, ask a moderator to move this thread to there.
Or both.
Jul 15, 2019 | 5:31 pm
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In my limited experience, the conservative side of standard Western dress is fine. They'll probably be stared at anyway - don't assume it's because of the clothes, they're just something out of the ordinary.
Jul 15, 2019 | 5:45 pm
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Wouldn't foreigners be expected to wear standard conservative business attire for the business functions? I would think a nice pantsuit or suit with a skirt of a somewhat conservative but not unusual length would be appropriate for this part of the trip.
For the other activities, cool and comfortable clothing that's conservative should also work, such as long loose cotton pants with cool tops that don't show much skin and maybe a light shawl/scarf/pashmina if some place wants arms to be covered.
For the other activities, cool and comfortable clothing that's conservative should also work, such as long loose cotton pants with cool tops that don't show much skin and maybe a light shawl/scarf/pashmina if some place wants arms to be covered.
Jul 15, 2019 | 5:55 pm
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I wasn't really focused on people, but here's an idea of typical dress at a tourist site. The obviously-Western women in the top right, seemingly with a tour guide, are representative of what I recall. You can also see a mix of what others wear.
Also - typical "heading to office work" dress, I suspect
Also - typical "heading to office work" dress, I suspect
Last edited by CPRich; Jul 15, 2019 at 6:01 pm
Jul 16, 2019 | 7:12 am
#7
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I went over for a few weeks last year with a female co-worker and we'd randomly get stopped for a hand shake or even a picture in a lot of places. We just stood out like a sore thumb.
While there I got invited into many an arm wrestling match and a impromptu push-up contest (I'm big/athletic guy)
*I didn't lose any arm wrestling but only got 86 pushups so was bested there. If only I'd have known, I'd have spent a week or two getting that number up to 100
Last edited by annerj; Jul 16, 2019 at 7:28 am
Jul 16, 2019 | 9:54 am
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This thread prompted me to look through some pictures of my trip to India. At the Taj Mahal I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt. I recall that at a few temples they required more than shorts, but they had a wrap for your legs. I might have worn jeans one day, but definitely regretted it.
The temperatures when I was there (mid-September) were very warm and very humid (and very crowded practically everywhere). Well Jaipur wasn't as humid, but it was even warmer than New Delhi or Agra (similar climate as Phoenix I'd say).
For touring, I'd recommending dressing for comfort.
The temperatures when I was there (mid-September) were very warm and very humid (and very crowded practically everywhere). Well Jaipur wasn't as humid, but it was even warmer than New Delhi or Agra (similar climate as Phoenix I'd say).
For touring, I'd recommending dressing for comfort.
Jul 16, 2019 | 7:40 pm
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I mostly skip wearing shorts in India. Loose, light trousers — even local stuff — is far more suitable than shorts for me because of the pollution and dirt/dust, the potential strength of the sun (if smog isn’t that bad on a day), and the looks gotten for wearing “underwear” (which is even the same word as for “shorts” in a few of the Indian languages).
Jul 16, 2019 | 11:52 pm
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I mostly skip wearing shorts in India. Loose, light trousers even local stuff is far more suitable than shorts for me because of the pollution and dirt/dust, the potential strength of the sun (if smog isnt that bad on a day), and the looks gotten for wearing underwear (which is even the same word as for shorts in a few of the Indian languages).
i wouldn't wear them while going to tourist sites but i find them perfectly acceptable while going to the play ground with my kids, or the mall or local marketplace....
Jul 17, 2019 | 12:02 am
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My wife (caucasian about 60) and step daughter(about 30) are accompanying men a trip to India (Rajasthan, Rishikesh). I am of Indian origin but left Chennai over 45 years back. They are concerned about what kind of clothing would be appropriate to wear. The trip includes both an official business function as well as sightseeing/yoga trip. Any suggestions or pictures?
at religious sites i would suggest they cover up as much as possible but the rest of the time they can wear what they want....the more skin you show, the more you are likely to get stared at so avoid mini skirts & tank tops....pretty much anything else is appropriate....
Jul 17, 2019 | 1:22 am
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Jul 17, 2019 | 5:14 am
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I also wear shorts in my leisure especially when its 30-40+C. But would not advise any business or tourist traveller from abroad to do the same. The obsession in the western world to wear shorts where a quarter of you butt cheek is visible most of the time is thankfully not shared by the south asians.