I have often seen the topic ‘dress code for women in India ‘ being discussed on travel message boards, so I decided to articulate my thoughts with pictures!
The first thing that comes to my mind is that there are many ‘India’ and the dress would depend on where you are. In general I still believe we are conservative in our dress sense more so in smaller places.
For example this was a picture I clicked at Anjuna Beach in Goa. You can wear a bikini on some of the Goa beaches but it will attract a lot of attention.
However it is also not uncommon to see women wearing a sari and entering into the water on a beach! The picture below is from Havelock, a beach in Andaman Island.
It is also possible that at the same beach there are people in sari as well as beach wear.
Sari is a popular dress at smaller places. But hardly anyone will expect a tourist to wear it. Truth be told I also can not tie it. These women in their colorful saris gathered to see the hot air balloon that landed near their village.
It is becoming more of a ceremonial dress in the cities. However what you see the young girl in pink wearing, called a salwar kurta is very popular all across the country. I have seen some foreign tourists also trying it.
It is very common in urban areas to wear trousers, jeans, Capri or ‘long shorts’ as you can see in this picture. If you need more proof here is a similar picture from Mussoorie, a popular hill station in India.
And finally yours truly at Della Adventure, we were a gang of girls and had fun. I am in the white shirt at extreme right.
So in conclusion as I said what you wear in India depends on where you are! Also it depends what you can carry off. In India staring is common, just ignore it, it is usually nothing personal against you. But in the end we are a conservative lot, when in doubt make the error on the side of caution.
As usual these are just my personal thoughts! Nothing official about it.
I’m glad a man didn’t put this up, or else the question of why was he taking pictures of women would arise 🙂 Kidding!! Still, a good concept and I think India as a nation has come a long way where you’ll find people (both men and women) wearning all kinds of clothes, wester, eastern, local and that’s one of the wonderful things about being and living in india.
Interesting post and useful too.
http://www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in
Those beach shots are lovely!
I think I like the last snap the best 😀
my comment dissapeared. i agree with each line in this post.N u wana guess which is my fav post
The post in prev comment is to be read as pic
Indeed, its all about what you can carry!
http://www.anucreations.blogspot.in
Hi,
Awesome pics & good articulation! What one wears depends on her choice & comfort. In India however, unsaid norms of society dictate attire to a large extent. Nevertheless, we Indians know how to make the best of what we have, as is evident from the woman wearing sari on Havelock. Nice one!
i love india. india is very beaut full. i love travel in india
you are right Mridula .. In India girls still dress conservatively in public areas and specially in smaller cities.. has to do with the company you got around you… a sleeveless top comfortable in an AC Volvo bus become as controversial in a local bus running to n fro from Moradabad to Delhi on NH 24 !
you are right Mridula .. In India girls still dress conservatively in public areas and specially in smaller cities.. has to do with the company you got around you… a sleeveless top comfortable in an AC Volvo bus become controversial in a local bus running to n fro from Moradabad to Delhi on NH 24 !
I so agree with you when you say that there are so many Indias and I for one, would like to see a balance between the modern Indian woman, who is still in touch with her Indian ethos. So, when on the one side, she is shopping online at a website like Pa-Ni for swimwear and bikinis that she can wear to Goa or a luxury resort, she is also shopping at those high-end saree stores like Nalli for Kancheepuram sarees that she can drape for her family wedding!
For me, that is the modern Indian woman’s dress code – the perfect blend between dressing for the occasion to remaining in touch with the culture and tradition as well!