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How to Dress in India & What to Wear in India

When I left for India, long before I knew about travel blogging, I had to ask “Does anyone know someone who backpacked India?” around a lot. I had so many questions! I didn’t know how to dress in India at all. Whether it was doing yoga, going hiking, walking around markets, I wanted to do what to wear. Fast forward five years later, and I’m still here traveling the jungles, cities, mountains, beaches, and more – and trying to do it in in style. Here’s all that I’ve learned on what to wear in India to be most respectful and stylish.

What to Wear in India

India is conservative, but there are so many different style icons and types of fashion here just like anywhere else, and not all popular styles keep the woman covered up like you would imagine as a traditional dress in India.

Some sari’s cover everything up nice and neat while some let it hang out. Some are super sexy, and some more conservative.

You might see the lower half of a bunch of women’s boobs. Truly. In Rajasthan, I saw plenty. I’ve been told it’s just normal to air out and keep cool. And no, it’s not the hot woman who does it; it’s their great grandma. No one stared or thought it was strange.

You’re definitely going to see some big ol’ round bellies sticking out from saris, as well as open backs due to tiny blouses under the sari. The wrap part of the sari actually shows off quite a lot. I mean, have you seen a Bollywood film?

The younger (and sometimes more privileged) kids here in India are the ones dressing more “westernized” but it’s not because of Bollywood, it’s because of Hollywood, Victoria’s Secret models, and Vogue India showing ads of westernized fashion. It was bound to happen as Western life has become intriguing to India’s young women. Lots of more wealthy kids go abroad for university, so they obviously are blended lifestyles.

In Mumbai and Delhi, girls are wearing club dresses at night and clothes they get abroad from Urban Outfitters or even Indian designers that are not at all conventional.

The fashion here is changing and evolving. I’ve met loads of unique designers like Tia (beachy, European style), FARA (boho-chic) and Doe Designs (modern Indian). Even in the far Northeast of India, the girls there were in skinny jeans.

As a westerner, you have a fine line to straddle. You don’t want to dress like a “backpacker” with cargo pants, or a tourist in pants (although let’s be real, they are awesome and I totally did a few years ago), or dress in a way that would offend. You also may not necessarily want to “play dress up” in full on Indian clothes, or you might – which is fine, too.

I find that because I don’t dress in tourist clothes, people assume I live in India, and I am not ripped off or left dealing with negotiations.

I can say my first night out in Mumbai when I put on a past-the-knee skirt, t-shirt, and Chaco’s, and the other Indian girls put on high heels and short tight dresses, I sighed thinking, “Crap, I did NOT pack right for this trip”.