I'm going to be in India for two weeks in mid-January. I'd like to limit myself to one carry-on bag and have laundry done for me along the way. I'm sure I will have two bags when I return home! We wil
I'm going to be in India for two weeks in mid-January. I'd like to limit myself to one carry-on bag and have laundry done for me along the way. I'm sure I will have two bags when I return home! We will be in Delhi, Agra and Varanasi at the beginning of the trip and in Kochi at the end of the trip.
Any suggestions about clothing? My understanding is that it will be in the 70's in the north and the 80's in the south. I'm worried about packing clothes that are too warm because I'm from Colorado and am pretty sensitive to humidity. Also, do you recommend closed-toe shoes for Delhi and Varanasi? My thought is to bring or buy a large scarf I can use for visiting temples and as a shawl in the evening.
Do I need a dress for evenings in Delhi? Thanks for your input- I usually do ok with planning but the limitation of a carry-on bag has my head spinning!
I'm not sure there's one answer for your main question. So much depends on whether you want to wear what you would at home or whether you're up for shopping to pick up some local styles which, for me, has always been the best option. Lightweight cotton is the best, of course, you'll find lots on offer and can buy shawls and scarves everywhere. If you plan to have things washed beware the dhobi wallahs, the people whose work it is to do your laundry as they can be very hard on your things. It makes buying as you go along even more attractive and if you have favorite things along I suggest you wash them yourself.
Assuming Delhi is your first stop, I have 2 favorite places to shop. First, head for Fabindia: http://www.fabindia.com/stores/?store=15 My location of choice has always been the Greater Kailash location but I see now there are stores all over.
Next, go to Anokhi in Khan Market (a fun place to shop in general): http://www.anokhi.com/anokhi/our-shops.html Fabindia is less expensive and has more selection so I buy most there. Don't neglect the men's departments as I find the plainer fabrics there more condusive to wearing at home. Anokhi has more unusual designs so I get a few things there to combine with what I buy at Fabindia, like cotton knit shalwar (full pants) that I bought them out of in my size.
Regarding dress in the evening, again, your choice. I've never worn a dress in India which is not to say you can't. But I prefer a subdued version of local dress again, (not saris as one rarely sees a western woman in one that doesn't look like she's going to a costume party) the shalwar kameez, pants and tunic combo in fabrics and styles to suit the occasion. Plus dupatta, the long scarf.
I don't wear closed toe shoes except when I'm traveling from place to place when I might wear my walking shoes. Otherwise sandles, my Chacos. For the sake of traveling light I've given up my heavier Chacos for the flip flop variety, still good arch support and you can wear them with anything. You should watch where you step in any case.
I'm going to be in India for two weeks in mid-January. I'd like to limit myself to one carry-on bag and have laundry done for me along the way. I'm sure I will have two bags when I return home! We will be in Delhi, Agra and Varanasi at the beginning of the trip and in Kochi at the end of the trip. Any suggestions about clothing? My understanding is that it will be in the 70's in the north and the 80's in the south. I'm worried about packing clothes that are too warm because I'm from Colorado and am pretty sensitive to humidity. Also, do you recommend closed-toe shoes for Delhi and Varanasi? My thought is to bring or buy a large scarf I can use for visiting temples and as a shawl in the evening. Do I need a dress for evenings in Delhi? Thanks for your input- I usually do ok with planning but the limitation of a carry-on bag has my head spinning! Posted by rubybouvier
Hi , You can buy clothes during your trip in India. You must bring warm clothes with you because it is going to be cold in January. the temprature will be 10-20 degree. You must bring the universal plug to charge your camera, Ipod or mobile. You should bring your walking shoes and white clothes will easily get dirty. Bring as small as you can and then buy in India things you like. cheers ! If you need any suggestion on your itinerary then please feel free to ask.
For clarification, "cold" depends on where you're from. Temperatures of 10 night - 20 day (about 50-70 F.) is very nice for me with just the addition of a shawl for evening. For people from the tropics it can feel cold. I think Alex must be from a warmer climate than N. America where 70 F. is pretty perfect.
I definitely recommend wearing light-weight, enclosed shoes in the cities just for the sheer amount of pollution/detritus you’ll encounter. Bring a pair that you won’t mind disposing.Slip-on styles are easily removed when entering temples, holy shrines, etc. If you don't want to pad around temples barefoot, bring anklet-type socks, although some places will provide disposable cloth booties. After our trip we deemed our shoes a health hazard and chucked them before leaving for the airport.
Leslie, I don't know if the big hotels do their laundry in-house. I did send out the cotton things that I'd bought locally and they survived but I was taken to the dhobi ghat where the laundry is done and it was quite a scene. You would not want anything remotely delicate washed there. I'm also concerned about the washing chemicals they use. I left the country one time with an extraordinary rash and suspected the laundry. So now just do my own.
Hi, currently in India, latest traditional styles include leggings and long tunics, dresses are very much in as well. U can pack light and yet be warm. Yes Delhi Agra can be very cold in winter- not just 70 degrees. They do not always have heating in all places. Shawls and sweaters can be bought there. Yet i find a fleece zip hoodie to be a very convenient option wherever i travel. And i always wear closed shoes like skechers or aerosoles which are not bulky yet flat for walking a lot and very comfortable. Its best not to bring any revealing clothes as you can avoid any harassment and Delhi is not safe to go out alone at night. I dont think five star hotels like the Taj or Oberoi, will give your clothes to a dhobi. Its not the back woods you are going to. You can shop at places in Connaught place(local), Globus, westside, lifestyle, pyramid, pantaloons- these are chain shops with affordable clothing and have mushroomed everwhere in big malls. Most of the newer malls are in the suburb of delhi and to go there you should be prared for traffic. U will get beautiful clothing and sandals shoes as some of the reniwned designers are licated there and you will get beautiful beaded embroidered fusion wear. Delhi is known for fashion. Do go to Veda the restaurant for some excellent food. Good luck on your trip.enjoy your visit to india and be safe.
I dont think big name hotels would spoil your clothes by giving them to a dhobi. They launder much more ddelicate and expensive clothes than ours, like silks, embroidery, beaded, wool, etc dont worry.
A dress will be useful if you are going to party in the evenings otherwise depending on your age- jeans and a dressy top with heels will do. You can always buy fashionable dresses there as well.
I spent three weeks all around India on a business trip a few years ago. I had afternoons and wekends for sight seeing. I highly recommend closed toe shoes, and besure to wear or carry a pair of socks. I remember a warning that the soil in parts of India could carry a certain parasite. Also it is very dusty and dirty even in parts of delhi. You should see the large mosque in Old Delhi and that is where the socks come in handy. you have to take off your shoes. I took one bag (large) because most days I was giving addresses to business and educational groups, thus business wear. But I smartly loaded up on softwear (chicos carries a really good selection called travelers). You can coordinate separates and dress up or down. It can get quite hot in January, so think layers. You will want to be suitably covered at the mosque (covered arms and legs) otherwise i never had to be concerned. I never worried about a scarf, but a nice foldable hat is nice for shading you from sun. You will find beautiful scarfs there. Enjoy your trip. It is a fascinating place with it's own mystical beauty. I wouldn't bother with a dress. Most women in India will be in Sari's or kameez (long tunic over pants). you might want to buy a kameez ...very comfortable. don't forget to find a spice bazaar and bring back saffron for yourself and as gifts.
Thanks for all of the great information! To those who have shopped for clothing in India- I am a plus size gal 18/20- will I be able to find clothing to fit me? I don't really want to spend the time having clothing made for me- I've done it in the past and find that the time spent in fittings would have been better spent seeing the sites, visiting the markets, etc.. I will definitely have our laundry done when we are staying at the larger, fancier hotels (we are doing a range of hotels and B & Bs). Thanks again!
I just got back & took convertable pants which came in handy. Prana & Merrill makes cute ones now that have longer sorts. I also took light dresses which I found more comfortable for me due to the heat. I had a a warm sweater for cold nights & plane & extra lightweight short sleeved one for throwing over tank tops, etc at temples. I had chacos (which I wore most of the time) & 1 pair of mesh sneekers. Watch your step & you will be ok as there is a wide assortment of poop everywhere you go. Some of the stores will measure you & deliver your new clothes to your hotel the same night. We were also going to Nepal so tried to have a small variety of layers. Enjoy!
Ruby, you and I are about the same size. I mentioned the men's department at Fabindia and that's where I found kurtas and elastic waist pants that fit me perfectly. The fabrics are great and I find that the men's fabrics and styles are better for western women who don't want to look "in costume". The women's styles are made to fit closer to the body and I find the men's more comfortable as well as liking the fabrics better. No fittings, no going back except to buy more!
We only travel with cabin bags. Pick up some grab clothing from gap (hides dirt well and lasts well). Wear your bulky cloths on the plane. If you need more cloths, they are easy to get, but often low quality if not international brands.
I went to Delhi in January for business. On the first morning when I looked out the window, it looked like a costume party. Not too many people seemed to have coats but it was cool and windy and people were bundled up. When the sun went down, it got cool very fast. Maybe it got to 70 during the day but some days, it didn't feel like it. I am not saying you need ear muffs and gloves you will see locals wearing everything from blankets to rags. The air is so polluted that the sun doesn't really break through until 10 or 11 AM so if you are starting out early plan on 40-50 F. As for Cochin, think Florida in the winter with less air conditioning and more humidity.
Unless you are invited to someone's home or to a gala of some sort, you will never need to dress up. If you are a plus size woman, forget about buying clothes unless you want to try the men's department. However, unlike having clothes made in HKG or Singapore where several fittings are required, if you tell the hotel to send a dressmaker/tailor to your room. Indians can work very fast. If you buy or bring fabric and pics of what you want, things will go faster. If you want an Indian outfit, buy it but wait until you get home to wear it. Nothing looks more ridiculous than a Caucasian woman in mufti.
When my husband and I were there during the 90's we arrived with a batch of dirty clothes. Instead of using the hotel laundry we had a work associate take them. It ended up that he took them to the dry cleaners! That included our undergarments! Some of the whites came back very dingy and were never the same.
We did have our clothes washed by the laundry wallahs after that. We were there for six months and most of the clothes were unusable after we got home. Also there is a parasite that is laid on the clothes as they are laid out to dry. It burrows into the skin on contact!
Warning. Unless you're looking forward to a clothes shopping trip, bring your own! The above advice is suitable for size 8 and under in any Asian country.
Warning. Unless you're looking forward to a clothes shopping trip, bring your own! The above advice is suitable for size 8 and under in any Asian country.
