Anyone from India- What do you think of Westerners wearing Indian clothes whille visiting India?

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chetansunnypatil

Pune is a small cosmopolitian mini Metro in India. It has people from all over the world due to its rich culture, IT devlopment and Education system in the city. You can wear all kind of cloths that may be Indian as well as western. We the people in pune are open to all kind of people wthroughout the world with their own style and persona. We have Iranians , Americans, Africans and all sorts of people....
Come here, be comfortable and Enjoy your stay here.

Paddy

Stick to Western Wear, it is accepted and worn by Indians too. Westeners look better in Western outfits.( No offence meant.). Also think of your own comfort.
In case you are coming to the Osho's Asharam, then you'' have to wear long flowing robes in a maroon colour.

If you are comfortable in Salwar Kameez then please wear that attire. Like I mentioned earlier it's your comfort that should be a priority. . It will not be an issue if you wear it in india.
It is sure nice to know Indian dresses are catching the fancy of Westerners - My Mom feels Salwars are one of the most comfortable dresses, provided they are well stitched.

Meera K

Its not offensive, but I think that people would be less likely to stare and such if you wore western clothes. Most people in India wear western clothes (at least sometimes). So I'd stick to western, if I were you.
Happy Travels!

Swapan, The Dream

If you are comfortable in salwar kameez, then wear it. No body would object.

If you are not comfortable in salwar kameez, wear whatever wester cloth you like, still then no one would object.

Please do not display much skin that not so openly accpeted here.

swellen_gal

i think salwar khameez and saris are fine. western clothes, as long as modest are fine too

valda54

as a Westerner, who has been to India loads of times, and i am married to an Indian, then in my own personal thought ,no , i would never dress as an Indian. we can adopt as fashion, time past fashion past, but no. stick with western wear. lots of indians wear western. they fit in with society. without even trying. but westerners unless your a model, you will never carry this off.

Lilly

"Do not embarrass yourself by trying to imitate the national traditional dress of another country." It won't look natural and will draw attention to yourself in an unflattering way.

Now that the poster has added details I guess I should too.

At reading your question at first glance the above was my opinion.

After reading your details I say, to be honest you are still going to have a few Indian folks looking at you like you are a gift wrapped turkey ( hee hee ) but your comfort is all that matters.

It sounds like India is going to be a fairly welcoming place for all kinds of dress and that you should not offend any particular group through wearing your intended garments.

Please know however, this is not always the case!
Always research an area prior to your visit to be sure of it's customary dress and traditional expectations.

In some countries, "being yourself" can get you killed.

I have had friends injured by gangs for wearing the color red in a certain part of town , and friends beaten for "impersonating" women's traditional dress in Lebanon.

Sounds like India is easy going and you are going to have a great time...for future, never assume, continue to ask ahead of travel.

aimabroad

pune is ok but when you are in north india then it is advisable to wear covered cloths and remail in groups.... aimabroad.org

KripaKaran

Salwar's are best for indian climate.

greatguy

your adopting the local dress would make people respect u a lot, since it shows your love for the country u are in.
By all means wear salwars. its a very elegant dress, and also very indian. more importantly it is not revealing and suits the indian climate. You would look great in indian dress,especially when u are comfortable wearing it.
i am sure you will have a lot of indian suitors.

AnOrdinaryGuy

"When in Rome...."

I think most Indians will see it as a gesture of respect for their culture. What Americans might see as proper street wear could be seen in other countries as overly revealing or immodest, especially where women are concerned.

Have fun!

friend

westerners often try to wear the casual Indian clothes, but sry to say they end up in quite a funny outfits :P but thts not the case with all!some look rly cute :) n hey its gud tht u lik to wear salwar kameez n saris! but ya let me tell u.....saris r rllly hard to manage so u better opt for salwaar kameez n there r those with indo-western styles! thts wat i lik :) do try out them or nethin else if u want to!

n ....... WISH U A HAPPY JOURNEY N A HAPPY STAY IN INDIA!!!!!!!! BEST OF LUCK BUH BYE :)

dipta_j

After reading your questions and comments, I understand you are not only comfortable but also quite used to wear Salwar Kamiz.

In that case just go on and wear Salwar suits, I suggest also to add more stuff to your wardrobe while you are in India.

YOu might keep one or two Western outfit for a change.

Mostly westerners who tries the salwar suit or saree for the first time in their India adventure, look like a creature uncomfortably wrapped around with some ethnic stuff. So they draw unwanted attention.

For you I don't think that would be the case.

tobeornottobe

i am a westerner, and I always wear saree, salwar kameez. i definitely wear them when i go to India as well. I really like wearing it there, because it is much more normal. over here people think you're trying to get attention or something. but being a westerner, in india they also think something- whether good or bad, it's more attention i guess. i guess that's my karma.. never be quite accepted.

Ashwin

Stick with western wear but wear panties for god sakes. Don't be like Paris.

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