What to wear in India is a question with so many different answers that it needs an online article to explore properly. So we wrote one for you.
There are many factors to consider when dressing in this country, the weather being the main one. You should also consider where you are going, what your activities will be, and how much time you will spend in the elements. Obviously, you also need to consider your appearance. You want to feel comfortable and confident in how you look.
What do Indian people wear?
India is far from the fashion capital of the world, but we like to look good in our own casual way. The only places you might encounter a dress code are fine dining restaurants and some of the city’s pubs or nightclubs. Indian people now commonly wear western dress. Every gender can be seen commonly wearing a t-shirt/shirt with jeans or leggings. But the local and cultural dress code of India is kurta-pajama for men and saree for women, which looks so good.
If you are holidaying in India, you may be planning to experience the nightlife, either dinner and drinks, a night on the town, or a traditional Indian heritage visit in the local areas. For some fashion inspiration, why not have a look at some Indian fashion influencers on Instagram or TikTok? The wonderful Rohit Bose puts together the most beautiful Indian cultural and casual outfits, or you can check out Jannat Zubair Rahmani for a mix of cute, stylish, and glamorous looks. Or have a look at Vaibhav Keswani for some masculine style ideas. There are plenty of online Indian fashion influencers, so finding inspiration shouldn’t be a problem.
Indian Weather As I write on this sunny day in March, I am sitting beside a window and Mother Nature’s breeze is gently cooling me. It’s a very beautiful bright day, and birds are chirping outside. Yesterday, however, was a cold and cozy day. It was raining heavily outside, and thunderstorms were also there frightening me. The day before yesterday was a cloudy day but a little hot. And No one knows what tomorrow will bring! So what do you pack for your trip to India? What would you have worn over these past four days?
As India is a country of six seasons and a big diversified seasonal country, we never know which weather type is going to be blown in on us. Mausam, our national weather service, tries its best, the Indian weather just can’t be reliably predicted, so if you are looking at a long-term forecast in anticipation of your holiday to our subcontinent, look away now. It is, most likely, completely inaccurate.
Some good advice when planning what to wear – just plan for rain, and remove layers as necessary. Regardless of the season, setting aside personal opinions and fashion preferences, it’s important to understand that the clothes you wear in India can influence how locals perceive you.
India is largely a male-dominated and conservative society, with conservative dress codes in most areas. Here are some helpful tips: Cover your shoulders, cleavage, and thighs. Avoid thin spaghetti strap tops, mini-skirts, or shorts, and opt for loose-fitting clothing instead. Tight jeans are okay, but pair them with a long, loose top or shirt. Reserve swimwear for the beach, and consider wearing a loose t-shirt over your swimwear in smaller or more remote locations.
Choose loose-fitting shirts, t-shirts, long dresses, knee-length or longer shorts, pants, and skirts. Clothing made from linen or linen blends is comfortable for hot weather. Pay attention to your surroundings and dress accordingly. Generally, touristy or modern cities like Mumbai are more relaxed about clothing than smaller towns, villages, or holy places like Varanasi. When in doubt, opt for modest outfits. Many travelers blend in by dressing like locals and purchasing a few pairs of harem pants or tunics, which they can wear both in India and back home.
Summer
Indian summers are generally very hot, sunny, and warm. Usually, summer is the most lasting season here, and the temperature is up to 30 degrees to 50 degrees Celsius depending upon your location here. Compared to other countries, India is very hot. Shorts and t-shirts, sandals, dresses, light trousers, and skirts are perfect for this hot weather. It cools down again in the evening, so lightweight cardigans, sweaters, and jackets are a good idea.
Canvas shoes like Converse are good for outdoor travel if you’re sure it won’t rain, but waterproof sneakers may be best if you’re not. Ballet flats are great if you need a dressier option for warmer days or evenings. In all low-altitude areas you will need loose, lightweight clothing with a raincoat or umbrella. Some parts of India carry the risk of malaria, so long pants and long-sleeved shirts, as well as a bottle of insect repellent, are useful for evenings and early mornings when these pesky mosquitoes are out. And yeah, if you are traveling near the Himalayas, make sure you pack some warm clothes for you.
Winter
In the lower-altitude towns of the Himalayas, like Darjeeling (2402 m/6699 ft), the winter temperatures can drop below freezing and may experience snow. Such weather requires thick leggings or tights with a heavy skirt or dress, heavy jeans or trousers, and a waterproof jacket or coat with a warm woolen jumper or heavy shirt. Temperatures may rise in March and April, and people may strip down to a base layer of jeans/leggings and tops/t-shirts. However, temperatures are also known to drop, so on the other hand, those little additions of hats, scarves, and gloves can come in handy! There are many tourist attractions in India. You will spend most of the time walking. Make sure you wear comfortable footwear.
So in summary, during the winter months, you need a warm base layer, which may end up being your only layer, so make sure it looks good on you. Then another layer to keep you nice and toasty when it gets a little chilly, which you can take off and tie around your waist or over your shoulders if needed, and a waterproof coat or jacket, because you’ll absolutely get caught in the rain.
April and May can be particularly treacherous and are known for their warm weather and bright clear skies with sudden unexpected heavy rain and hail. Waterproof jackets and umbrellas are essential during these months. A nice breathable cotton t-shirt and layering it with a nice jacket that can be removed when the sun comes out will keep you breezy, warm, and dry.