How should an american dress to india?

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Master Quark

Hi,
Of course allot depends on where and when you are going a, here''s a brief lowdown:

FOR MEN: Good Khaki pants with extra pockets are in my opinion ideal..(if you don't get into my suggestions below)... (Velcro the pockets or get them with zippered pockets so when sleeping on a train you don't rain your belonging down on the person in the berth below you)..Blue jeans tend to be a bit heavy and HOT. Shorts are not really appreciated in India (the Indians tend to look down on people who wear shorts and the sun can be so strong you will burn)..

Your can buy light weight cotton pants all over India (I wear Alagars white cotton that bunch up at the legs...with the Kurta top it's traditional Rajasthani garb....)

All over India you can buy cotton Kurta tops (Kurtas are men's wear) Females can buy Punjabi outfits (Salwars) 2 piece suite that's perfect for the weather)...Both are ideal (very lightweight and the air just blows through them).
If you really want to be comfortable just buy what is called a 'Kurta Pajama' (they are not pajamas..it's top and bottom)....My girlfriend replaces the string tie on the pants with stretch elastic. In a Kurta you will get respect from the locals.....I actually always wear long sleeve Kurtas, I burn due to a medication (check out my picture that's a very colorful one).

Interestingly you will see Indian men always in western cloths; but when they go home then they don their more traditional clothes....don't ask why: the traditional are much more comfortable.
If you want to stay in western cloths bring comfortable pants...and not too many shirts...all kind of shirts can be had in India for a song.
FEMALES: Punjabi suites cannot be beat. Sariis are a bit ricky and few westerners wear them although my girlfriend has mastered the art of wrapping a Sarii.

For hill stations and cold climate wear bring what you like (a good nylon jacket is light and Handy) ..Cold weather clothes like sweaters and the like you will NOT want to buy in India....styles tend to be goofy and quality can be quite questionable. (Sure you can find nice cold weather wear in India but do you really want to look like Goofey until you find them?)

If you going to wash you own clothes always wash any colored Indian clothes (first time) separately some bleed like a sacrificial lamb!

AND BE SURE TO BRING GOOD COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES!

You gonna walk more than you ever have in your life! (an over all sorts of strange and bazaar things...cow dung being just one! Good shoes can be had in Connought Place in Delhi..but shoes are so critical in India better to bring your own...ankle support is important at first (until you get used to navigating around cow dung, giant holes in street and many other obstacles)

What to take? (most things you will need can be bought in India Now and usually cheaper than west)...like DVD digital camera tape, all kinds of cosmetics, batteries,
But there are things that can not be had in India: what I list below you should bring from west!

240v to 120v converter if you are coming from USA and bring electronics (digital camera recharger for example)...and an India adapter plug(critical)
1/8-1/4 plastic coated cable (braided) (to lock bags down on train) and small hoops on end (got to fit thought train's hoops)...
A good light weigh combination lock for the hotels, use on train too
(not available in India)
Small locks for bags or backpacks...
A small Mag flashlight (the lights go out in India at the most bazaar times)
Deet, Mosquito repellent...
Good SPF suntan lotion, zinker...(Indians don't use suntan lotion)
a hat...(to protect from sun)..can be bought in India but to be stylish better get in West..might be a while before you see one you like!
Bring silicon EARPLUGS...Indian hotels can be quite noisy all night long (all of India drones and dins 24 hours a day)
I bring rub on antiperspirant (I do no like Indian deodorants)
Passport pouch (wear under underwear) keep passports, return air tickets and Travelers Checks in, put under pillow in hotel or tie very loosely to leg so next morning YOU WON'T FORGET IN HOTEL! ..
A real or nock off Swiss Army knife
Gifts for kids..cheap Bic pens..Pens are always asked for by school kids...goofy weird things like cheap glow in dark toys, western candy
Something to put in mineral water if after a while you gonna go nuts drinking 1-4 liters of MW a day, sugar free Wylers, Iced tea mix, etc...
Bring sunglasses that you are comfortable with...although they can be had in India very cheaply

Any meds (although in Delhi and most of India, westerners can buy anything wanted over the counter except some controlled substances..if turned down go to another pharmacy)...

Vaccines can be had in Delhi for a fraction of the cost in the West
less than 20% (Dr. Gupta in Paharganj, Delhi, 1468 Sangatrashan Tel Clinic 2358-7841 (near the vegetable market) very nice and very safe you need to be up to date on Typhoid, Tetanus, Cholera, Polio, Dysentery, Hep A, Hep B, Malaria profalxtic Rabies (optional but if you get bit it's going to cost you big time and not available in all India) check CDC website if I forgot something...

Also check in 'Lonely Planet' on things to bring...me getting tired and I may have forgotten..think I covered most..

Master Quark

lucky s

If you wants to go to India you don't to be dressed in some special way you are going to India Take what ever you like ,If some traditional dress you like you can buy there and wear it there.

tommygirl94

Dress light, but not skimpy. Bring one of those cool body mist/sunscreen sprays. Aveeno is good.

Shirl M

I would dress as I do at home. Clean comfortable clothes. Take
a sweater/jacket, depending on the weather. I do not know what the weather is like there.

Desipride_sophia

Regular clothes... but pleasee... do not go anywhere "naked"..!!!
lolzzz

redunicorn

Light cotton clothing. Travel wallet to prevent theft. Camera, Sunscreen.

dreamgirls

please wear light but full clothes on because if people in india see you wearing little clothes they will look at you as if you are crazy.

Red_Cyberdragon

Personally, I believe that you should wear the cloths that you have. Although you might want to bring sunscreen and sunglasses...

dress light

Roadrunner58-79

With clothes that you wear in the USA!!!

helpaneed

Preferably light Cotton clothes -decent one - in summer and light to medium woolens in winter except for hill stations where heavy woolens may be required in winter.

For additional things, you should carry only very personal things or such stuff on which you don't want to spend money! You get every thing suitable for here in India, to match each and every budget. It is always a fun to use local things where ever you go in the world. It serves a good change and learning.

Particular about electrical and electronic things, India has 220 electrical current where as in America it is 110. So if carrying any electrical or electronic stuff, do bring converters/adopter for 110 to 220. You get a lot there in Indian Stores. Or even in India they are available in plenty.

Rest, don't bring any pre-conceived bad notions. Come, stay, have fun and enjoy your trip.

karen wonderful

Something cool and lots of sunscreen.

kelly Speedgo

If you are female, you dont want to offend them, so you must be covered up, no boobs hanging out, its considered offensive to them. not sure about if you are male

Just Dance!

Umm
Lets see, wear a sarrie, an indian clothing, or american clothes are taht are really light adn you can bring acamera and sunscreen if you burn easuily, a hat, bc it is really hot down there, lots of water so you don;t run out extra money so you can give some to the little starving kids, also just incase you loose your wallet or it gets stollen. Also asunglasses adn things that will shield you agaisnts the sun. But if your going downin moonsoon weather ( the rainy season) then you might want to bring a raincoat, rain boots, unbrella, something that will cover you from the rain!

slamka

Coz its quite hot here, i suggested that u wear a light cotton clothing. Indian r quite open sometimes; but make sure ur dress aren't too skimpy. Nothing wrong with t-shirt & jeans. just b urself. & dont forget to bring sunscreen; most of foreigners turns red when they visited 'ere due to the weather.

mikehendley55

The Same As they do here in the U.S. When people come to the states most of them dress just as they do in their own country.

gunz

wear anything u want man! just dont wear anything stuffy or warm as your goiing to be in deep trouble in the summer months heer if u think o bringing even bit warm clothing :(

rahul

how do you dress there in america. wear the same cloths what else

paul_martin598

try to appear cool(ie not hot and sweaty) and not uncooth
suggest jeans are fine but not offensive slogan t-shirts. chinos and shorts are fine. remember khaki is an indian word.
try a hat to keep the sun from burning your head- baseball caps are okay
do not dress like old pictures of ghandi- imitation is not flattery
wear strong footwear if you are thinking of going out in the country-reptiles can bite.
a bandana round the neck could be handy(if you sew in a coin at each corner you have a traditional indian weapon to throw around somebody's neck)

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