India is a fairly conservative country but growing up here with a rebellious attitude I tend not to give a damn about who is staring at my gorgeous legs. Admittedly it is much easier to avoid the attention if you are dressed conservatively and if you are coming to visit from outside the country you want to be as safe as possible so let me give you the rundown of what to wear in India and how to look absolutely gorgeous while doing so. I have attached pictures so you get a good sample of what to wear in India so check those out.
As a solo women do you wonder how to have the best possible India trip? Then checkout my guide for solo women travelers to India.
FAQ
Is India conservative?
The metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur are fairly modern and the younger generation all wear clothes like jeans and tshirts like you would expect. Most of the elder population is still very conservative in the rest of the country and wear traditional Indian clothes which will become very apparent once you land in India.
As a traveler, you are not expected to wear Indian clothes. Western pants, shirts and dresses are just fine, though you might have some fun dressing up in Indian clothes if you like. The general rule to avoid attention is to wear bottoms below the knees, avoid low cut tops and crop tops. At night time the clubs do be popping so you might want to take a couple of sexy dresses for that.
Are western clothes ok to wear in India?
Yes western clothes are completely fine to wear in India. The only reason Indian clothes are suggested is because they are all made of cotton and are fairly conservative so you won’t attract attention. But you are completely fine wearing pants and tops, just make sure not to wear anything above the knees or low cut because then people might stare and you might butt hurt some of the damn asses.
What do the local women wear?
The local women in metropolitan cities wear a mixture of garments depending on what they feel comfortable with. You will find women wearing everything from pants, dresses, kurtis and sarees. The older generation tends to dress more conservatively with kurtis or sarees.
Can I wear anything inside the hotel?
Yes! If you are going to a 5 star hotel like The Leela or Taj Palace then you will find guests dressed in gorgeous gowns for romantic honeymoon dinners and wearing bikinis on the poolside. These hotels are frequented by people from all over the world and everyone feels very comfortable. If you are staying at a more modest hotel then you won’t find the same level of openness because most of the guests will be Indians which is why I always prefer staying at the best properties because the entire experience becomes more amazing.
How to dress to beat the heat?
The peak tourist season in India is from October to March which is winter for the country. The temperature during the day easily hits 25 degree celsius which is pretty warm in the sun. Considering that you will also be outside walking and exploring the city, you want to keep cool and buy cotton clothes that are breathable. The traditional Indian clothes are so vastly preferred by tourists because they are suited to the climate – they are made of cotton, are loose fitting and keep you cool.
Is it cold in the winter?
During the nighttime in the peak season from October to March, the temperature drops down to 10 degree celsius which is really cold for me. During this time I wear at least 3 layers of clothing and I would advise at least carrying a jacket for nighttime.
Is it ok to wear cultural clothes?
Yep! We love when foreigners get all enamored with Indian clothes and dress up in them. I personally love showing off my culture and getting everyone else involved in it.
Where can I buy Indian clothes?
One of the most enjoyable things you will probably end up doing is shopping for Indian clothes. There are some amazing boutiques that have popped up in recent years with gorgeous Indian designs that I love to wear myself. Anokhi, FabIndia and Good Earth are a few companies that have shops in all major cities with so many amazing options to choose from. You should make sure at least ¼ of your suitcase is empty to be able to buy a ton of Indian clothes to take back home.
What to wear in India for weddings and other functions?
If you are invited to any functions or weddings in India then you have the option to wear a cute top and pants like you normally would or if you feel more adventurous then you can buy an evening saree or lehenga. A saree is the most formal Indian garment while lehengas are more fun. There are shops in every city, big or small, where you will be able to find a gorgeous outfit for the occasion. Just ask your hosts where you could buy one and they will be more than happy to take you shopping with them trust me.
For a complete guide to your first wedding checkout this blog by Brittney Mahler over at The Blonde’s Eye View – Sari Not Sari: My First Indian Wedding.
What to wear in different states?
Unless you are going to the Himalayas, the rest of the country is pretty temperate between October to March in peak tourist season. If you are planning to visit the Himalayas you want to pack as you would in negative celsius temperatures. Ultimately what to wear in India depends a lot on which region of the country you are going to.
How to pack for India?
Pack for India just like you would for any other country keeping in mind that bottoms should end below knees and tops should not be too revealing. Other than this, do your own style that you usually do and you’ll be just fine.
Should I take heels?
Yes! Taking heels on every trip is my motto. If you are planning on going to nice restaurants in Delhi or Mumbai or any other metropolitan city then women dress just like people in the west. Heels and a cute sexy dress should always be a part of your luggage even to India.
How to pack minimally?
2 white shirts, 2 colorful tops, 2 beige pants, 1 jacket, 1 scarf, 2 dresses, 1 pair of walking shoes and 1 pair of cute sandals.
What to wear in India: Packing your suitcase
Clothes
Dresses
These are my favorites to wear in India because they look so beautiful in all the pictures and I look chic all day long. I like wearing breathable long flowy cotton dresses that keep you cool in the heat. As a photographer I have come to realize that flowy dresses make for the best shots when shooting impressive monuments that you will find to no end in India.
Skirts
Long skirts are also one of the best ways to look gorgeous without the hassle of wearing a dress on those long explorative dresses. Some of my favorite outfits in India are usually a long skirt with a barely there top that looks really cute.
Pants
These are a staple in my suitcase wherever I go. 3 pairs of good pants NOT including jeans should be in every woman’s suitcase. Jeans are not pants. If you are planning on spending a day doing a safari or going to crowded marketplaces then pants are the way to go.
Shirts
I have so many white cotton shirts I have lost track at this point. White shirts look so freaking good and stylish with everything that you should be carrying at least a few on every trip. Shirts are especially great when you have a whole day of sightseeing ahead and you want to be comfortable wherever you go. Colorful shirts especially will blend right in.
Jackets and Sweaters
The peak tourist season in India is from October to March which is winter for the country. During this time the temperature goes down to 10 degree celsius at night and for me that is very cold. I always have a couple sweaters and a warm jacket with me in India. Remember that India does not have central heating so you will freeze your ass off if you don’t take warm clothes. A couple of long sleeved hoodies, sweaters and jacket will top you off nicely for the whole trip.
Jumpsuits
I love a colorful jumpsuit because of how easy they are to move in and how cool they look. India is full of color so you can’t go wrong with a popping jumpsuit.
Scarves
These are a great addition to any outfit whether it be hot or cold. Scarves can protect you from the sharp sun or keep you warm at night if it gets too chilly. These are especially great in India to cover up over a tank top or other outfit if you aren’t comfortable with showing too much skin. Some holy places like temples and mosques also require you to cover your head with cloth and these come in handy all the time.
You might also want to buy some pashmina shawls in Delhi. These are soft intricately embroidered warm scarves made of the highest quality silk in Kashmir. The is one of the warmest and softest materials to be found in the world.
Kurtis
These are a traditional outfit that you will see most women wearing in India. Kurtis are usually made out of cotton and they are loose fitting and cover your legs to protect them from the sun. These are one of the best outfits you can wear on the trip. Go and buy 4 or 5 pairs of kurtis as soon as you arrive and if you are ever in doubt what to wear to a certain place then you will never go wrong with a kurti.
Sarees
A saree is the most formal traditional Indian dress you could wear. Most younger women only wear these to celebrations or events nowadays. This is a great addition to your wardrobe if you have been invited to a wedding or any other festival. Saree shopping is also a ridiculous amount of fun because there are literally a million different styles to choose from.
Shoes
Walking shoes
Shoes are one thing you don’t want to skimp on. You will be walking on roads, over potholes, in fields and every possible scenario imaginable in India. You do not want to buy delicate shoes and have them fall apart. Buy sturdy shoes that you can walk in all day long and still feel fine. I personally love the Puma platform shoes because they look so cool and you can wear them with any outfit and have it match. But make sure your shoes are good or you’ll be crying within a day. 🙁
Keds
For days when you are going to be taking your shoes off often like temple tours or there isn’t much intensive walking to be done you should pack your Keds or sneakers that you can take off quickly. These are lighter on the feet and I definitely prefer these to bulky shoes during my normal days. A light pair of Keds is the ultimate outfit binder.
Jootis
These are the traditional colorful Indian sandals that are worn at weddings and festivals. You will find that some cities have entire markets selling these like Amritsar and Udaipur. You should definitely take some of these back home for friends and family and buy a pair for yourself if you feel like dressing up for dinner at nighttimes at your hotel.
Sandals
If you are going adventure traveling then a good pair of waterproof sturdy sandals are a must. In the hills, Kashmir or Rishikesh while exploring it is great fun to walk in the clear river waters and I always wear sandals anytime I am outside the city.
Heels
Yes! Taking heels on every trip is my mantra. If you are planning on going to nice restaurants in Delhi or Mumbai or any other metropolitan city then women dress just like people in the west. Heels and a cute sexy dress should always be a part of your luggage even to India.
Travel Essentials
Sunglasses
The notorious Indian sun is very sharp even during winters so having a pair of sunglasses handy won’t hurt anyone.
Bathing suit
This is one of the most common questions on what to wear in India. The Indian population is mostly not comfortable with a woman’s body yet. So you’ll see guys with their shirts off at the beaches in Goa but you wont ever find a woman wearing a bikini on beaches frequented by public which is why I avoid those because that is stupid af. In hotel pools and hotels situated on the beach it is completely fine to wear your bikini.
Camera
An India trip is not complete without a roll full of memories that you made here. Be sure to get a good camera to capture all of the fun moments. From the gorgeous architecture to the colors and the people, there is no shortage of what you can photograph in India. For a complete guide on how to take the best photographs check out my guide on How to get the best photographs from India.
Toiletries
Your usual toiletry bag with all the essentials plus a couple of malaria tablets should do the trick. I am hoping all of you already carry sunscreen (protect your skins!!) which is enough to beat the winter sun.
Makeup
If you are used to wearing makeup, you might be on the fence on whether you would be ok wearing makeup in India. One thing you will notice immediately is that no one wears any makeup at all during the day. At all. The women only wear makeup to functions and to clubs. If you feel good with makeup though then by all means rock it but you will probably get more than a few stares just because it is very unusual.
Let me know if there are any essentials that you take in the comments below!
a good piece of content . it’s a bit confusing what to pack when we visit places like Mangalore during august or September as the rainy season tend to end yet may not be fully stopped ?
Yes for the monsoon its still pretty hot so you want to carry your usual summer clothes but also carry a light jacket or a couple of full sleeves kurta or tshirts. Those seem to work really well for me!
Hi there! Nice blog! Thanks for sharing complete guidance of women’s wear. In indian traditional culture, this is very useful information for all. Keep posting!
I love how you have a breakdown of all the different potential outfit ideas.
Hi Kanu! Great post! I think dressing appropriately is a must, especially when traveling overseas! It’s good to know that very short shorts are discouraged in India. If ever I do visit India in the future, I’ll note the tips you’ve mentioned. 🙂
This is very helpful!! Thanks for sharing these tips!! I would love to go to India someday and it would be so helpful to know what to bring!!
I think these posts are so important. Knowing cultural differences when it comes to clothing is huge.
I thought women in India dressed quite modestly until I visited a local designer for sarees and all her beautiful outfits have exposed midriffs to spread body positivity. I love that!