Packing for travel to India can be difficult. The country is undoubtedly tropical, and it's terrain changes as you move from place to place. This, coupled with the cultural values of the region, can make it extremely confusing when packing. In fact, as someone who has travelled to India on several occasions, I still have a tough time deciding what to place into my suitcase. CLOTHING: Let's start with the essentials: underwear, it's a necessity no matter where you go. This one is pretty simple, as long as people can't see it, you're doing it right. Next, let's talk about tops. Try to pack light, flowy materials that you can layer. Even in the "winter" months, much of India experiences a rather hot climate. To escape the heat, wearing breathable materials like cotton is a must. It's important to remember that India, although a very "forward" country, still has social traditions which it maintains, and even though I am a staunch advocate for female empowerment through dressing, I still try to respect the notion of modesty that is practiced within the society. I recommend staying away from extremely low-cut tops that show a lot of cleavage, or completely backless numbers. If you have packed your suitcase all wrong, and are looking for a quick fix, go for a shopping trip within India. The clothing meets all the criteria: cute, affordable, colorful, comfortable, and modest! This "modesty" trend travels from shirts to bottoms. In my recent trips to India, I have seen more and more women in shorts. Most of the time these shorts are what you would consider a midi short length. I personally stay away from shorts altogether. This may be hard to believe considering I pretty much live in shorts back home, but I find that in India straying away from modesty leads to uncomfortable stares and moments. Believe it or not, I don't miss my shorts very much on these trips. I've really started to embrace the mom jean, pallazzo pant, and skirt trends. These options are comfortable for long, hot days plus they make for some really cute outfits. SHOES AND ACCESSORIES: When it comes to shoes, keep it simple. Don't overpack. The three sets of heels that may go with 5 of your outfits are really not worth the limited space in your suitcase. WEAR COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES EVEN IF THEY DON'T GO WITH YOUR OUTFIT (you can crop your pictures to perfection). In India, walking is inevitable and if you don't have the right shoes, you won't be able to enjoy your trip. Stay away from light colored shoes unless you are willing to see them turn into a beautiful brown color. I packed a pair of Vans and a pair of Chacos for my last trip. Another recommendation, pack a couple scarves. Scarves or stolls are very common within Indian culture. I find them perfect to cover up with if you are getting uncomfortable stares or if you want to cover your face in a dusty street. They also come in handy when visiting temples or mosques, which may require women to cover their heads as a sign of respect. Accessories-wise I recommend a watch (or two). I, as extremely extra as it sounds, like to wear two watches when I travel. One watch I set to Eastern time, the other I set to local time. This helps me plan out meals and sleeping times, so that I can beat the monster that is jet lag!
Something else you don't want to forget is a cute pair of sunglasses, even during the monsoon season, the sun does not shy away! MAKEUP/SKINCARE: Makeup is once again, something I recommend going simple with. Unfortunately, under the muggy heat and the smoggy air, make up seems to slide and even melt away. If you do decide to wear makeup, wear a durable primer underneath, and use setting spray on even the simplest of makeup looks. As for skincare, DO NOT GO SIMPLE HERE. The smog-filled air can leave your skin with a nasty coating which can lead to break outs. No matter how tired, take a moment to remove all your makeup, and wash your face before you head-off to bed. For me the long-haul flights left my skin dry so I made sure to moisturize every night. In the morning, even with my melatonin-rich skin (thank you Indian ancestors), I made sure to apply a coat of sunscreen to protect against the rays that never seem to hide behind clouds. Finally for this section, do not forget your favorite and strong deodorant.
6 Comments
Sailaja Raman
8/5/2017 02:37:45 pm
I like this blog.keep continue.lil suggestion(don't mind) add food habits and the culture of different states. It will be easier to the traveller who are really curious on knowing cultures.You are doing a good job. All the best👍
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8/7/2017 01:28:59 pm
I love all your outfit ideas and was actually pretty interested in your beauty bag. Thank you for sharing. The location pictures look stunning. What a beautiful country.
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Mahima Siripurapu18 years old. Industrial Engineering major. Dog enthusiast. Aspiring Khaleesi. Foodie. Land dweller. Struggling writer. Horrid chess player. Adequate chef. Thrifting lover. Environmentalist, and yes that does mean I'm a tree hugger. vegetarian. Archives
September 2018
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