Fashion for Women Visitors to India

If you are visiting India for the first time, you are likely to find the trip either interesting or scary. Interesting because of the wide variety of food, clothes and people and scary because most of the things you come across may not make sense to you. In the metros -Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore you may not feel so very different as the lifestyles and dressing styles of women would be more in keeping with current world trends. However, some cultural differences could spring unpleasant surprises on you. Visitors, especially women, can have a much more enjoyable and relaxing time in India if you just take of your clothing.

First off, you must understand that India is a conservative country and it is advisable to pay attention to local sentiment. Though it is not necessary for women to cover themselves up from head to toe as is required in an Islamic nation, scanty, revealing clothes, tight-fitting blouses exposing cleavage may not be appreciated. It may even bring you unwanted attention.

Women who visit on business or to attend conferences by national bodies such as the Confederation of Indian Industry or Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India, can opt to dress in business suits, as is the practice in the West. Trousers and button-up shirts are acceptable in an office environment and collared t-shirts are perfect for casual meetings.

Now comes the tricky part. If your trip entails a visit to the hinterland, tight-fitting, transparent and revealing clothes are totally inappropriate and could invite stares and even groping which could be overwhelming. Throwing a scarf around your upper body would serve multiple purposes. Scarves are a part of traditional Indian wear. Scarves would help keep you covered without having to compromise on your style of dressing, keep lust, catcalls and groping fingers at bay and if you throw it over your head it could also shield your face from the harsh sunlight.

Stylish and chic ethnic wear is another option for women on business trips. However, before you go shopping for these garments it is advisable to check on the net as to current fashion trends in India, what Indian film stars wear and Indian haute couture. This is because most often, shopkeepers pass of unsold, out dated garments to unsuspecting foreigners and dressed in these outdated clothes could make you look rather out of place or not "with it".

Traditional Indian wear may be worn to your workplace; you could choose to wear short blouses, or knee-length dresses or you can choose any length in between and combine it with trousers, jeans, leggings, harem pants or loose cotton pants. Choosing the correct fabric would most often mean buying light, cotton, linen, poplins and such others to help your body adjust to the hot, humid Indian summers.

Outfits made from synthetic material are okay if you are visiting during winter, even so the daytime temperatures of the tropical climates would favor cotton clothing. Traditional Indian cottons and vegetable dyed fabrics are chic and stylish and are much sought after the world over; so go for it while you are here.