India is an exceptional country to visit since it represents a real change of scenery for Europeans both in terms of its landscapes and its culture. It is a very vast territory comprising more than 1.3 billion inhabitants, the majority of whom live in the north region and especially in the capital, New Delhi. A large number of people also reside in the south region and in the west towards Mumbai.
Overall, the country enjoys plenty of sunshine and high temperatures. However, in northern India where the terrain is often mountainous, it is rather cold in winter and hot in summer. South India, with Goa and Pondicherry, is quite westernized and there are beautiful heavenly beaches. It takes about 3 weeks to 1 month to visit a large part of India.
In short, depending on the period during which you are going to visit India, you will need to take suitable clothes: Albeli is here to help you choose what to put in your suitcase for India!
1. Culture and fashion in India
Indian culture is very different from western cultures. Religion, Hindu and Buddhist, has great importance in Indian society. Arts such as dance and painting are ubiquitous.
Like the Holi festival, the festival of colors, India is a very colorful country, whether in its architecture or in clothing. The Indians are dressed in large brightly colored saris decorated with gilding. The men wear what is called a “sherwani”, long coats.
If you have the opportunity during your trip to India to attend a wedding, it is a golden opportunity. Indeed the marriage there is a big and beautiful, very codified ceremony. On this occasion, if you are a woman, wearing a sari will be much appreciated by the locals.
2. What clothes and shoes to take to Rajasthan and North India
In Rajasthan as in northern India, the temperatures are rather mild. Light clothing such as Bermuda shorts and a t-shirt, for men, or a shirt and light pants, for women, will be perfect.
Sandals will be perfectly suited to cities. Conversely, in northern India, temperatures in winter can be around 5-15°C and the evenings are generally not very hot. It is then interesting to provide some warm clothes. Mountain hikes in these areas are a must!
Plan walking shoes and some sports clothes for this occasion.
3. What clothes and shoes to take to South India
Temperatures in South India are rather mild. Therefore, light clothing is definitely suitable for this region. Sometimes it rains, especially during the monsoon which takes place in June and around October-November. It is therefore essential to take an umbrella, poncho, or raincoat.
Above all, don’t forget that you need shoes that don’t fear the rain and that dry relatively quickly. As such, it is wise to avoid suede, the leather, rope, etc. to replace them with synthetic materials.
4. What clothes and shoes to take to the beaches of Goa
For the beaches of Goa light and comfortable outfits are perfect. Wide pants, shirts, and t-shirts are adequate. Take a pair of sandals, flip-flops, and especially your bathing suit and a beach towel.
5. How to dress to visit the Taj Mahal
To visit the Taj Mahal there are no real dress restrictions except that it is advisable to remain respectful of Indian traditions. You still have to be ready to take off your shoes at the entrance. It is advisable to take a minimum of things with you for the visit because many of them (tablets, spare items, etc.) are prohibited.
Unlike the Taj Mahal, you will have to cover your head to enter many temples, whether for women or men. In Sikh temples, leather is even forbidden and you will not be able to enter with a belt or shoes made of this material.
6. How to dress to go out in big cities
To go out in the big cities, you can dress as you would in the summer in Europe. Stay all the same on light and not very revealing clothes. A nice dress or shirt and sandals will go perfectly.
7. How NOT to dress in India
In India, there are not many dress restrictions. It is simply necessary to avoid outfits that are too tight or “sexy” for women. It is not very advisable to wear synthetic materials such as polyester which tend to retain heat and odors and is really not suitable for a country where the temperatures are high like India.
8. What useful accessories to put in your suitcase for India
The scarf is the essential accessory for the trip to India. You can use it as a scarf, a shawl or a “sunshade” etc. A hat or a cap, as well as sunglasses, are also absolutely essential. You can equip yourself with mosquito repellent clothing.
The big advantage of this type of clothing is that it does not require spraying products at regular intervals, which often leads to oversights and therefore bites. Finally, given the long flight time from Europe, it is advisable to provide compression socks. They will also be useful during long walks in the mountains, for example.
9. How to wash clothes in India
Many hotels offer washing and ironing for a few rupees. There are also laundries or “dhobi” in some small shops in large cities. Be careful all the same with delicate laundry because the clothes are often tapped on stones and are not machine-washed.
10. Buy clothes in India
The cost of living in India is not very high, so the cost of clothing is not very important. It is, therefore, possible for you to buy what you need on the website. You can go to the big “shopping malls” where you will find Western-style shops and products.
The prices are still a bit high for the country. You can just as well go to the small shops in town or even markets like the Sarojini Nagar market and the Dilli Haat Market in New Delhi. You will find local products but at much lower prices.